How To Get Rid Of Smelly Wet Dog Odour
August 29, 2019
If your dog loves the water, you’ve probably noticed they can get quite smelly, especially in the summer. Try as you might, you just can’t get rid of that smell. So what do you do?
Water dogs like retrievers, and those with thick, soft coats tend to fall into that category of smelly dog. Their oily coats pick up every scent around them and they track it home with pride.
Though their coats are designed to repel water, the soft fur around the butt, tail, and tummy absorb water like a sponge. But it’s not just the water they soak up, bacteria and organic matter clings to their fur and the smell is unpleasant, especially after a few days.
On top of that, damp fur can harbour yeast if it doesn’t dry out properly, causing serious skin infections. This develops a cheesy odour that’s unmistakable and quite unforgettable. Once it gets hold, it’s virtually impossible to eliminate from your dog’s fur.
Here are a few tips to keep your dog smelling fresh as a daisy:
- After swimming, make sure you towel down your dog thoroughly and take a blow dryer to their fur until dry.
- Then give them a good brush, preferably with a tool like a furminator, to get rid of excessive hair to help your dog’s coat dry out quicker.
- Shampoo them with an oatmeal product to help mask the smell.
- Spray them with a lanolin-based deodorant.
- Change and clean their bedding often.
- If they are a dog whose coat is made for grooming, get them clipped.
- Eliminate any foods that may cause allergies or yeast buildup like wheat and other grains that are common in dog treats.
- Resist the temptation of sharing with your dog treats like cheese, bacon and peanuts, which can also lead to too much yeast in their system.
If the cheesy smell continues, your dog could have a yeast infection which will require medication. So book an appointment with your vet just to be on the safe side. Dogs aren’t supposed to be stinky, even the smelly ones.