You’re walking your dog on a brisk day when, out of nowhere, you’re hit with the smell of wet dog. You look down at your canine companion and, sure enough, he’s got that signature wet dog smell—whether it’s coming from his coat or his nose—that you can’t stand. So, why does my dog smell like a wet dog? And how can I stop it? Read on to find out.
10 Common Reasons
Dogs smell like wet dogs for many reasons. Here are 10 common reasons why your dog smells like a wet dog:
1) They’re not getting enough exercise
2) They’re overweight
3) Their diet is lacking in protein
4) They have an underlying health condition
5) They have allergies
6) They’re stressed
7) Their coat isn’t being maintained
8) There is an odor on their bedding
9) The environment they live in is unclean
10) The type of shampoo you use can cause them to smell bad too.
Odor Is Coming From Your Dog’s Ears
If your dog is smelling bad, it may be because there is something wrong with their ears. Ear infections are common in dogs and can cause serious problems if not taken care of. They result in foul smells as well as inflammation, discharge, and ear pain for your pet. If you notice your dog has bad breath or an unusual odor, consider that they may have an ear infection before assuming other causes like obesity or malnourishment.
Odor Is Coming From Your Dog’s Feet
This is called bromhidrosis, or bad dog smell. The primary cause of canine bromhidrosis is bacteria that build up in your dog’s sweat glands. The odor is typically worse after swimming or playing in the water, but you may notice an increase in bad dog smell when it’s warm and humid outside. If your dog stinks like a wet dog all year round, he may have bromhidrosis.
Odor From Your Dog’s Coat
If your dog has an odor that’s coming from his coat, he may have something called bacterial dermatitis. Dermatitis is simply an inflammation of the skin, which in turn causes an unpleasant smell to emanate from your pet’s coat. In some cases, dogs with dermatitis might have other symptoms like irritation and itchiness. If you think your dog has bacterial dermatitis, consult with your veterinarian to confirm it before attempting any home remedies.
Your Dog Might Have An Ear Infection
Ear infections are a common cause of smelly dogs. Your dog may shake its head or scratch at its ears, and you might notice brown waxy discharge in your pet’s ear canals. The best way to treat an ear infection is with over-the-counter medication prescribed by your veterinarian. If you want to avoid an ear infection altogether, keep your dog’s ears clean and dry during baths.
Skin Infections
Sometimes, your pup might smell like a wet dog even though he hasn’t been in contact with water. If your pooch is suffering from any kind of skin irritation or infection, his odor will likely be affected as well. Common skin issues that may cause you to notice your pet smells like a wet dog include ringworm, mange mites, and allergies. The best way to treat these issues is to visit your vet for treatment.
Yeast Infections In Your Dog’s Ears
One common cause of smelly dog ears is yeast infections. Dogs with sensitive skin are especially prone to these infections, and people who don’t regularly groom their dogs can unknowingly encourage yeast by not removing excess hair from their pets’ ears. Ear mites and bacteria also can cause ear odor in dogs, so if you smell something funky, it’s probably best to see your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment options. Treatment typically involves an antibiotic or antifungal medication for your pet.
Bacterial Skin Infections In Dogs With Allergies
Most skin infections aren’t caused by bacteria, but rather viruses or fungi. A bacterial infection of dog skin occurs when bacteria enter damaged skin. Typically, bacterial infections cause redness, swelling, and irritation in dogs. If your dog has a bacterial infection on his skin, you should take him to your veterinarian immediately for treatment.
Heat And Humidity Create Smelly Dogs
Summer means lots of fun in warm, humid weather. But when your pup’s outside enjoying herself in the heat, she’s also working up quite a bit of odor—especially after swimming. Dogs can get stinky for a variety of reasons; wet dogs smell differently than those that haven’t been washed in a while, and even normal-smelling pups can turn downright putrid if they’re malnourished or have health issues.
Hot Weather Creates Smelly Pets
Many of us deal with hot weather by cranking up our air conditioners, but hot temperatures can wreak havoc on our furry friends. While you might be tempted to blast your pup’s favorite fan, resist: constantly changing temperature and humidity can aggravate their skin, resulting in dryness, itching, and scaly patches.
