How to Stop Your Dog Smelling

The key to keeping your pup smelling fresh is plenty of baths, regularly cleaning soft furnishings and feeding them a high-quality, nutritious diet. This handy guide has all the information you need to stop your dog from smelling.

Why does my dog smell?

Anyone who’s lived with a dog knows that they have a scent, and while all pups may smell the same to us, they don’t to other animals. Your dog’s skin is filled with glands that excrete liquids and they perspire from their paws, releasing scents that help other dogs identify and bond with one another. While this scent is normal, it’s important to pay attention to any overbearing or offensive smells coming from your dog, as this can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Some common problems to look out for are:

• Yeast: Yeast is a common problem for pups and can result in an unpleasant musty scent. Pungent paws or musty-smelling ears are typically a sign of yeast overgrowth, which can cause scratching and restlessness. Yeast overgrowth is caused by a low-quality diet, so it’s important that you switch to a better, more nutritious food. To offer your dog relief until the issues resolves, clean their ears regularly.

• Infection: Bacterial infections of the ears or skin can have a strong scent. A dog suffering from an allergic reaction or skin infection will often release a distinctive sweet smell and may be prone to scratching or shaking their head. If you’re sure that your dog isn’t suffering from a yeast infection or fleas, you should take them to the vet for treatment.

• Halitosis: Your dog can have bad breath as a result of a build-up of odour-producing bacteria in their mouth or gut. It can be a sign that your pup needs better dental care, or can point to an underlying gastrointestinal, liver or kidney issue. If the scent doesn’t improve with regular teeth brushing, baths and switching to a healthier diet, you should consult a vet.

If you’ve ruled out a health problem and still have a pungent pup, there are some things you can do to improve your dog’s scent.

How to make your dog smell better

Dogs love to play and romp outside, meaning they often roll around in something smelly or get caked in mud and leaves. Regularly bathing is key to tackling these offensive scents and it’s recommended to wash your dog at least once a month to keep their skin and coat clean. Some breeds will require more or fewer baths depending on their coat type, level of activity and grooming routine.

It’s important to tackle your dog’s scent in ways other than washing; as an owner you may not notice doggy odour, but visitors will. There are some tricks you can do between baths to keep your dog smelling fresh. If your pup is starting to smell but you aren’t able to bathe him, dog or baby wipes can be an easy alternative. Check that the brand you use is suitable for your dog’s skin and avoid using them around the eyes. You could also use vinegar and water mixed in a mist bottle to deodorise your dog, making sure you don’t spray the solution in his eyes or ears.

Regularly brushing your dog with a fine-toothed comb or metal brush will help to remove debris from their fur and stop them from smelling. Consult your vet to select the best brush for your dog’s coat and aim to groom them at least once a week. You should also wash your dog’s bedding at least once a week to eliminate unwanted smells, or more if you’ve been on a muddy walk.  

Another way to tackle pungent smells is making sure that you’re feeding your dog high-quality dog food and treats, as this helps to reduce bad breath and can contribute to keeping coats smelling fresh. Some pups can develop food intolerances that can cause flatulence, so you should consult with a vet to check whether your dog is having a hard time digesting their food.

The Webbox Difference

At Webbox, we pride ourselves on seeing the world from a dog’s point of view, so we can understand what they want – not just what they need. We put our love, playfulness and excitement into everything we make, offering fantastic food and tempting treats designed to help keep your dog happy, healthy and smelling fresh. For tasty treats and chomping chews, shop our dog food range today.