Doggy Smelling Pretty Bad? Four Steps To Control The Odor
If your dog suddenly smells like a mix between skunks and rotten cheese, you might want to take matters into your own hands. Unlike cats who regularly groom themselves to prevent odors, dogs can develop some pretty nasty body odor. Instead of plugging your nose and ignoring the problem, here are four steps you can take to eliminate the odors.
Bathe Your Dog
If you're not washing your dog at least once a month, the body odors can get out of control. This is particularly true if your dog spends a lot of time outside. To keep the body odors under control, give your dog a nice warm bath once a month. For best results, use a mild detergent to cleanse your dog. Be sure to rinse well to eliminate dry skin. If your dog has particularly oily skin, pass on the ordinary dog shampoo and switch to a tar-based cleanser. The tar-based cleanser will reduce the oily buildup on your dog's coat and reduce the foul odors. Tar-based cleanser is available at most pet care stores.
Increase the Brushing
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, it could have a build-up of gunk on its skin. This is particularly true if it likes to roll around in the mud or if it digs through the trash on a regular basis. You can help get rid of the odor-causing gunk by brushing your dog's fur every day. Brushing also helps get rid of the natural oils that can build up on your dog's skin. Oil buildup can cause your dog to develop a stale, dirty odor.
Check the Teeth
If the odor doesn't seem to be coming from your dog's skin, check inside its mouth. Dental problems such as cavities, gum disease and even tooth decay can cause your dog to develop an odor problem. If your dog has rotten teeth, or its gums are swollen and red, you should take it in for dental care.
See a Vet
If you've been brushing and bathing your dog, and its teeth look fine, foul odors may be a sign of a more serious health problem. Skin diseases, infections and even kidney problems can cause your dog to smell foul.
If your dog smells awful, you don't have to plug your nose. The tips provided here will help you get your dog's odor problems under control. Be sure to speak to your pet groomer about other ways to control canine body odor.