 There are a number of reasons why a dog may acquire an unpleasant odor. He may have an ear infection, a dental disease, oily skin, or he may simply be dirty. It's fairly easy to tell if your dog is dirty, perhaps he rolled around in something stinky, in which case a bath is in order. If that's not the case, however, take a close look at your dog to find the source of the smell. Start by looking in his mouth. If his teeth are discolored or he has an odor worse than his usual doggie breath, you should have your veterinarian perform a dental checkup and any necessary treatment. Further, you should clean your dog's teeth on a regular basis.
If the teeth appear fine, next check your dog's ears. Offensive odors can commonly occur from ear infections. Long-eared and floppy-eared dogs tend to be more prone to infections. If the skin inside your dog's ears is red or sore, if the ear has a bad odor, or if your dog reacts in pain when you examine his ears, you should have him checked by your veterinarian to see if an ear infection is present and to have it treated if there is.
If both the teeth and ears are fine, your dog may have a skin disorder known as seborrhea. This is usually characterized by flaky dandruff or an oily, waxy feel to the coat and a strong odor. Your hands may feel slightly greasy after petting your dog. The odor can be prevented by frequently bathing your dog with a medicated shampoo that your veterinarian can recommend. Lastly, your dog's rear end may be to blame for the odor. Some longhaired dogs can have a soiled rear from defecating which can become stinky. Regular brushing can help, but you can also have the hair around the rear clipped on a monthly basis. Infection or anal gland problems can also lead to an odor, as well as discomfort, in which case your dog will need to be seen by your veterinarian. |
