All dogs have a natural doggy odor, although some are much more powerful than others. If you’re canine companion is stinking up your house, it’s time to take action. A number of simple procedures will transform your dog’s smell from stinky to sweet and make her much more bearable.
Step 1
Ask your vet to examine your stinky pooch. Bad dog odors may be a sign of illness, such as gum disease or a skin infection. You vet will give your dog a thorough check-up to rule out medical issues.
Step 2
Groom your dog on a regular basis. Brush her coat every day, and bathe her every four to six weeks to cut down on doggy odor. If your dog spends a lot of time outside or rolls in something smelly, you may need to bathe her more often.
Step 3
Wash your dog's bedding at least once a month. Your hard-fought battle against doggy odors will be quickly lost if she sleeps in a smelly bed. Wash the bedding with hot water and pet-safe detergent, and dry thoroughly on an outdoor clothesline or in the dryer.
Step 4
Brush your dog’s teeth every day. Bad breath is one of the most obvious sources of dog odor, and frequent brushing will keep her teeth and gums healthy. Use a small toothbrush loaded with dog toothpaste, and brush in small circles to loosen plaque and eliminate odor.
Step 5
Feed your pooch a high-quality dog food. Many low-quality foods lead to gas and digestive upset, adding to your stinky dog problem. Look for foods without preservatives and with real meat high on the ingredient list.
Step 6
Give the dog a dry bath during cold or wet weather. Wipe body from muzzle to tail with dry shampoo wipes. Pay extra attention to the areas around her mouth and genitals, where food and waste may gather in the coat and cause increased odor. If she still smells after a wipe, sprinkle a little cornstarch through her coat to bust bad smells.
References
Warnings
- Never use perfume or air fresheners on your dog. Not only will they not eliminate bad odor, they may irritate your dog’s skin.
Writer Bio
Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor for more than 10 years. Lawson specializes in pet and food-related articles, utilizing her 15 years as a sous chef and as a dog breeder, handler and trainer to produce pieces for online and print publications.