Why Does My Dog Smell So Bad?

As a pet lover who enjoys walking dogs, I often wonder why does my dog smell so bad, even after a proper bath. A dog’s foul odor can be embarrassing, and solving the problem can challenge any dog owner. You start to wonder, why does my dog stink?

Not giving the dog a bath, skin infections, poor diet, and skin fold dermatitis can cause an underlying health issue and unpleasant smell? As a result, the distinctive odor will make you uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, most pet owners cannot adequately care for them, leading to stinky and unpleasant smells. But that’s why you need to know the causes of the stinky odor and recommendations to improve the scent. We’ll discuss why dogs smell bad and recommend products to enhance the scent.

If your dog is smelly, your house doesn’t have to be. You can use a pet deodorizer.

Check out The Crown Choice natural air freshener. It’s safe to use and can even be sprayed on your pet dog.

Why does my dog smell so bad: 7 Reasons

Not bathing your dog, dental problems and anal gland issues, poor nutrition, and dirty ears are a few reasons for foul odors. These pets can get wet in humid weather, and regular brushing cannot solve the smell problem. There are various reasons for the bad smell, and we will discuss a few below:

1. Not giving the dog a bath

Not bathing your dog every four weeks or for extended periods can cause stinky smells. These animals grow hair follicles to support their skin health, and bathing is a significant part of the growth process.

Whether in an indoor doggie playroom or on the sand, these animals can contact bacteria and infections that make them stink. Furthermore, yeast and bacteria on your dog’s skin surface can produce nasty odors. Besides, frequent bathing can help many dogs manage skin diseases.

2. Dental Issues

You can hardly ignore your dog’s breath, especially if it regularly licks your face. Most pets over three years of age have dental problems, also known as periodontal disease, leading to bad breath. Periodontal disease is a serious threat, and a dog’s teeth and canine companions contain bacteria creating an invisible layer called plaque and tartar.

These bacteria cause dental disease and infect other organs leading to bad breath. A slight odor is typical for pets, but you can consult a vet when your dog’s mouth odor becomes stinky.

If you notice disrupted sleep patterns, head shaking, or changes in behavior in an older dog, consider checking the tooth. It’s time to consult a vet if your dog is reluctant to chew or eat hard food. Consider getting veterinary advice if you notice excessive drooling, bad breath, discolored teeth, or inflamed gums symptoms.

3. Anal gland issues

Dogs have two small anal glands, also called anal sacs. These animals use anal sacs for defecation, which can produce fishy odors. Every time dogs defecate, impacted anal glands release a foul-smelling fluid that can lead to underlying disease. Unfortunately, some of these fluids are unhealthy and can cause anal glands pain.

While anal gland issues are common for smaller breeds, no breed has immunity. Most dogs relieve the pressure by scooting on the floor or licking their hind end excessively. Contact a vet immediately if your dog suffers during defecation or you notice blood near the dog’s rectum. Consider consulting a vet if your dog has an itchy anal area. It’s time to consult a vet if your dog has chronic skin dermatitis, insufficient dietary fiber, and obesity symptoms.

4. Poor diet makes your dog smells bad

Poor nutrition is one of the primary reasons your dog has a fishy smell. Poor nutrition can cause underlying medical conditions and disorders, causing foul odors in dogs. Yeast infection, allergies, rickets, and dog’s fur loss are disorders caused by poor nutrition.

Furthermore, poor nutrition can cause parasite infestation and medical disorders, contributing to allergies, even for basset hounds. So, if you notice these signs, consider consulting a licensed veterinarian. It’s time to evaluate the pet’s daily diet and gastrointestinal health. A veterinary professional can create a treatment plan that solves the problem.

5. Ear Infections

Why does my dog stink so badly? This question is on the lips of many owners. Dogs are of different breeds with floppy ears and hairy skin, but ear infections can smell bad. Leaf debris, grass, dirt, and other materials stuck in the ear canal can decrease airflow and cause ear infections. Decreased airflow in your dog’s ears can cause droopy ears and create a humid environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive.

If you’re wondering why your pet smells so bad, consider checking the pet’s skin folds. Excessive earwax and ear mites can cause smelly ears. Yeast infections are a common cause of the unpleasant odor, but avoid harmful chemicals when cleaning the ears of an infant or older dogs to prevent smelly infections. Do not use vinegar, borax, and hydrogen peroxide, as they can adversely cause health problems for your pet.

6. Kidney disease

Kidney failure or serious disease can make your pet emit stinky smells. Toxins build up in dogs without a properly functioning immune system, causing a rotten smell and metallic odor. It’s time to consult a vet if you notice an increased urine volume caused by kidney disease while your dog stinks.

7. Skin Infections

Bacteria and infections can cause a stinky skin disorder with severe health effects. Bacteria can cause bleeding tumors, inflammation, parasites, wounds, fungal infections, hormonal imbalances, and allergies that make dogs’ skin smell nasty. Consider consulting a vet to diagnose your pet and identify the problem with a treatment plan. While dog sprays do not fit medical issues, it can improve your dog’s smell.

Reasons to use The Crown Choice air freshener

Dogs can emit stinky smells similar to gas attacks odors for different reasons. But you can improve your pet’s odor with effective deodorizers. The Crown Choice air freshener is a good recommendation barring any medical issues.

It sounds weird, but this natural air freshener can also deodorize pets.

We will discuss reasons to use this product below:

• It’s natural

This spray has zero chemicals, fragrances, or artificial perfumes. The product is safe and can effectively neutralize your dog’s bad odor.

• Effective deodorizer

The product is an effective deodorizer ideal for any dog breed. Indian Verbena, Lemon Zest, Spa Bora Bora, Madagascar Cookie, and Spanish Citrus are natural scents of this product. The natural deodorizer contains essential oils and has a long-lasting aroma.

• Non-irritating

This spray has natural ingredients and does not cause skin irritation or body odor for your dog, no matter how much you spray it. With no contaminants and synthetic colors, this product, made with natural preservatives, can make your dog smell good. 

• Usable on wet or dry coat

Another important reason the Crown Choice dog odor spray is ideal is its usage on wet or dry coats. You can gently apply this product to your dog’s dry or wet coat and comb.

You can improve your dog’s smell

Consider improving your dog’s hygiene and nutrition to prevent musty smells and severe cases of underlying problems. Remember that obesity can also give your dog the smell of a nail polish remover. If your dog smells terrible for medical reasons, consider consulting a vet for an adequate treatment plan. But if your dog has no health problems, you can improve the pet’s scent with effective deodorizers.

The Crown Choice air freshener is an excellent recommendation to make your pet smell good. This product has long-lasting scents without artificial chemicals. If you want a pet to smell good before and after a bath, this product is for you. Available also on Amazon.