Why Some Dogs Smell And Others Don't

A lot of canine owners have thought about trying to rid their dog of that less than stellar smell that sometimes collects on their fur. But often times, it's not as simple as using a special conditioner or other type of product. Even specialty oils and dog-centered products won't always result in a better smelling animal. Sometimes smells can even be a medical issue, only solved with treatments and medications. So what kinds of options are available for someone with a truly stinky dog? While the opinions behind this problem vary, there are a few key factors that have been outlined below to help you avoid a stinky home.

One of the first and most obvious causes of a bad odor emanating from your dog is an external source. Is your dog super keen on rolling around in the dirt or grass? It is entirely possible that in doing so, he may have come across a skunk or some natural plant odor that has gotten itself deep into your canine's coat. These are the most easily discernable set of causes, as they only require a few shampoo-intensive baths.Something else to consider is where the smell is emanating from on your dog. Is it coming from his mouth? Well, there are a few different causes for this particular issue, the first of which is a dental hygiene issue. Untreated teeth can result in infections around your dog's teeth and gums. Another indicator of this particular issue is excessive drooling, which tends to be obvious because the drool contains the same pungent odor as his mouth. If your dog's teeth look alright, but his breath is still absolutely horrendous, this can be a sign of some serious health issues. Kidney failure and diabetes are two very common canine health issues that show themselves first in your dog's breath. It's also possible that your dog is having serious digestive issues. If your dog is constantly expelling gas, it could be time to restrict his diet to try and discern the particular foods that set this off. If you've restricted his diet and the problem persists, it may be time to get the vet involved. If you see your dog dragging his butt across the floor when you catch a whiff of his odor, this could be blamed on your dog's anal glands. Originally, wild dogs had scenting glands to do things like mark territory and be recognized by members of its pack. Normally, these glands tend to empty themselves when your dog defecates. However, there are plenty of reasons that these glands will stop functioning normally and become either inflamed or infected. Once this occurs, it can be an exceptionally painful situation for your dog. If you notice this batch of behaviors, it is absolutely time to call the vet for advice.

One way to try and maintain your dog's odor is with regular grooming. Professional grooming is offered in most areas nowadays, and they use an array of specialty products that can circumvent the smells that can be picked up day-to-day. If you're up to the challenge, you can also try to learn these in depth grooming tactics on your own. It will tend to save you money, and you'll have greater control over what products and methods are being used. In recent years, many common brands have started selling organic, chemical free shampoos and sprays that are great for this sort of use. Another option is to let your dog practice his own grooming techniques. Research has suggested that the natural oils in your dog's coat are designed to eliminate excess odor. They claim that he problem arises when humans try to get involved. This holistic method has tended to work better for breeds with thicker, longer coats as they tend to have an excessive amount of naturally occurring skin oils. While this may not be the perfect approach for everyone, it's certainly worth a shot. And your dog may not be so averse to this approach either, as he basically gets to just be a dog.

Skin infections are another major concern. These infections can hide underneath the fur, laying dormant without being noticed for sometimes years. Your dog really doesn’t give too many outward signs that he may be suffering from this sort of condition. That’s why it is so incredibly important to get veterinary check ups on a regular basis. This ensures that no infection can grow to abnormal levels, potentially harming your dog in the long term. Usually, any skin conditions are treated with some sort of cream or salve. If these don’t work, unfortunately the only remedy is shaving the dog and treating their skin with special products designed to eliminate bacteria.

Dogs with a less than pleasant smell are often hard to deal with, especially in the home. Fortunately, modern veterinary medicine has come up with several treatments for this multifaceted condition. But, if you stay vigilant and get your dogs regular checkups, pretty soon the both of you will be smelling the roses.