The time has come: your dog smells less than pleasant and he is in desperate need of a bath. You’ve filled up the dog bath tub, gathered all of the necessary supplies, including a high dog shampoo, medicated dog shampoo (if he has skin issues) or a puppy shampoo (if he’s a puppy, of course); dog deodorizer; dog ear cleaners; and you even have dog treats to reward him and water toys for dogs to keep him entertained.
After successfully giving your pup a bath (albeit, you may be drenched in water) and running a dog hair dryer over his coat (like the Flying Pig Grooming High Velocity Dog and Cat Grooming Dryer), you go to give him a big hug and enjoy some cuddle time, but something isn’t right; he smells just as bad as he did before he got a wash down. What gives?
There are a number of reasons why your pup might be smelly even after he’s had a bath. Here’s a look at some of the common culprits of dog smelliness that a bath won’t completely solve.
Anal Gland Issues
The anal glands are two small sacs that are situated within the anus. As you can imagine, the scent that comes out of these glands is quite odiferous; when they’re infected, the scent can become extremely powerful and quite nauseating. The odor can spread from your dog’s anus and cover all of his fur, making him smell completely repugnant. If you suspect inflamed anal glands are the source of the smell, take your pet to the vet for treatment.
Skin Issues
Skin problems can also make your dog smell stinky. If your pup suffers from allergies, for example, his sebaceous glands may be producing an excessive amount of oil. As the excess oil collects on your dog’s skin, it can create a revolting smell. You might notice the odor is more powerful around his ears, tail, mouth, and underneath his legs. If he does suffer from allergies, try feeding him a dog food for allergies to see if it helps at all.
Ear Infection
An ear infection may be another reason why your dog is still smelly after he’s had a bath. An infection can produce fluid, and that fluid can collect within the ears, creating a nasty, overpowering smell that even a bath won’t get rid of. Speak with your veterinarian. There are medications for dogs that can be used to treat the infection, which will eliminate the odor problem.
Dental Issues
The source of your dog’s foul odor may not be coming from his fur or skin, but rather, it might be coming from his mouth. Some dogs suffer from chronic halitosis, even though their dental health is in a good state; however, in many cases, foul breath can be linked to tooth decay and gum disease. Or, it could also be something as simple as the dog food your pup is eating! Try changing his dog food and giving his teeth a scrub down with a quality toothbrush for dogs and toothpaste for dogs.
