Eliminating Dog Odor
Article written by Nancy Settecasi
Dog odor can develop for any number of reasons. You love your dog to death but can't go near him because he smells like he just crawled out of a sewer. If your dog smells because he's dirty, then logically, you should give him a bath. Giving your dog a bath doesn't always get rid of the smell. Your dog may have a medical condition which causes him is causing the odor.
A common reason for dog odor is the need for your dog to have his anal sacs expressed. Dogs whose anal sacs have filled up with fluid will experience itching, irritation and discomfort around the anus, as well as emitting a foul odor. This often causes then to "scoot" or "drag" their bottoms on the floor for relief. They are actually attempting to express the sacs themselves. Now, this is something you can learn to do yourself, or most people prefer to have the vet take care of it.
Another reason your dog may be emitting an odor is an ear infection. Dogs with long, floppy ears are proned to ear infections. Check your dog's ears for redness, itching, irritation and odor around the ear canal. If your dog has started pawing at his ears or rubbing his ears to the ground, chances are, he's got an ear infection. If this is the case, take him to the vet immediately.
Dog odor is also often caused by a skin condition called atopy. Atopy is inflammation of the skin that causes severe itching. The inflamed skin then tends to produce an overabundance of sebum (oil on the skin). Too much oil on the skin and hair combined with certain bacterias found in the coat are the contributing factors to the dog odor. This skin condition can be the result of allergies. If you find that your dog may be suffering from atopy, have your vet test him for allergies. Avoid having your dog develop this condition with regular grooming.
An important part of the grooming process is brushing your dog's teeth. If you are not in the habit of brushing your dog's teeth during bathtime, your dog may be experiencing bad breath due to diseased teeth and gums. This can be quite offensive to someone wanting to pet your dog, not to mention embarrassing for you. Bad breath can also be treated with a doggy breath spray. Dogs love it. It's a good idea to consult your vet to be sure that the bad breath is not the result of a medical condition such as diabetes or kidney failure.
Dog odor should always be addressed not only for the reason of promoting good hygiene but also to prevent development of a disease.