Category: Odor/Smell

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Odor/Smell

Why Does My Dog Roll In Stinky Stuff?

Why Does My Dog Roll In Stinky Stuff?

And What Can I Do About It?

It’s the nature of dogs that no matter how hard we try to keep them clean and fresh smelling, they will inevitably find the stinkiest, most disgusting pile of matter to roll in, often just after they’ve been bathed. Whether the stuff is a dead fish, a pile of kitty poop, or the rotting garbage needing to go to the bin outside, it’s all fair game for your canine companion if you’re not extra careful.

The several theories of why dogs roll and what they get out of it can be traced back to their wild canine ancestors.

Theory #1

One of the earliest theories put forth by animal behaviorists was that dogs roll in rotting, smelly “stuff” as a means of fighting ectoparasites (flies, fleas, ticks, mites) that would otherwise be attracted to their natural body odors. That particular theory was disproved when it was noted that many insects, including mosquitoes and flies, are attracted to such smells because it usually means that rotting organic material is close by.

Theory #2

A second, somewhat more plausible theory says that wild canines would roll in decomposing meat, animal dung, and other organic material to let their pack members know that there was food to be found in a nearby location. Since your domestic dog’s wild ancestors were not only hunters but also scavengers, it would make sense that much of what they rolled in would still be edible.

Zoologists note, however, that if that were the reasoning behind the stinky roll, you would expect the pack members to immediately start backtracking to the site where the original smell came from, and that simply doesn’t typically happen.

Theory #3

A third theory suggests that the dog is not trying to pick up smells from whatever it rolls in, but is instead trying to overlay that smell with their own scent as a means of marking its territory. Just as cats will rub up against furniture or people as a way to mark them with their odor, animal behaviorists say dogs do the same thing with their people, their toys, and their bedding.

Theory #4

Finally, some biologists believe that this stinky behavior is actually an attempt to disguise the wild dog’s own odor. The deer or antelope being stalked for that night’s dinner could easily recognized the scent of the wild dog on the wind and run for safety. To forestall this slip-up, wild dogs learned to roll in the dung of their prospective prey. Once the canine was covered in the prey animal’s dung, the hunted was much less likely to spot the hunter and the chances of making a kill were heightened.

What to do? What to do?

Once your dog has done the deed and you now absolutely must bathe him, you can try bathing with all-natural, organic shampoo and conditioner combo that saves you time and bother. By delivering vitamins and conditioners directly to your dog’s skin, his coat is left noticeably softer and shinier and the shampoo’s refreshing scent lasts for days.

If the smell is just more than you can handle, you can try an odor-neutralizing spray and shampoo, a two-step process that works on smells as bad as skunk spray. The thiol compounds in the spray chemically alter the molecules of whatever matter is causing the horrendous odor, making them much less potent. The essential oils and organic compounds in the shampoo can wash the stinky matter – and its smell – down the drain, leaving your dog clean and fresh and ready for a snuggle.

That is, until the next time.

Categories
Odor/Smell Skunk Odor Removal

How to Avoid Skunks & What To Do If You Run Into One

Help! There’s a Skunk in My Path!

by Cate Burnette, RVT

Skunks reside in all 50 of the United States, both in rural and suburban areas. If you spend any time at all out with your dogs walking on wooded trails, in open pasture land, or along rock outcroppings or brushy fencerows, you’re liable to run into one of these mild-tempered little creatures.

To avoid getting sprayed, we’ve given you some tips on how to stay away from skunks and what to do if you encounter one on your outings:

Don’t walk your dog after dark. Skunks are nocturnal. They typically begin foraging for food after dark and are back in their dens by daylight.

Stay off country roads, if at all possible, and walk your dogs in well-lighted areas. Skunks commonly patrol these streets looking for roadkill, particularly after dark, so keep to well-trafficked stretches of road.

Look for den entrances and stay away from them. Skunk dens are typically located under wood and rock piles, buildings, porches, concrete slabs, also in culverts, rock crevices, and in standing and fallen hollow trees. Look for a grass-free, smooth 3- by 4-inch depression with only one entrance and a musky odor. You can also spot a den by the evidence of skunk droppings, which look like cat spoor yet contain all kinds of food, from insects to seeds or hair, and by skunk tracks. Skunk tracks resemble those of the domestic cat, except that skunks have 5 toes instead of 4 and they show claw marks. The tracks are also usually staggered, instead of one top of each other, like cat tracks.

Don’t allow your dog or yourself to corner or agitate a skunk. These little animals won’t spray unless they feel threatened, so maintaining your distance is imperative to keep from getting attacked.

Watch for spraying signals. A startled skunk shows she is ready to spray by raising her tail, standing on her hind legs, and pounding her front legs on the ground. Should you see any of these behaviors, back slowly and quietly away.

Avoid making loud noises, moving quickly, or taking other steps that could be interpreted by the skunk as a threat.

Slowly move away from an approaching skunk if you’re standing still. Because they have such poor eyesight, skunks will approach people and other animals that are standing quietly. If you see one approaching, calmly turn around and walk in the other direction.

What should you do if your dog is skunk sprayed?

If your dog gets skunk sprayed, immediately change into old clothes and rubber gloves to avoid getting any of it on yourself. Blot the spray with paper towels to get as much off your dog’s coat as possible, then bathe and rinse the affected areas several times with a good anti-odor canine shampoo, before you bathe the whole dog to avoid spreading the smell around. There are new anti-skunk sprays and shampoos available that work organically to break apart the odor-causing compounds in the skunk spray and wash the smell down your drain.

Unfortunately, your best bet is still to avoid the situation altogether by avoiding the little culprit causing the problem.

Categories
Odor/Smell Skunk Odor Removal

Help! My Dog Got Skunked!

Some Solutions to a Nasty Problem

by Cate Burnette

Depending on where you live, your pooch is liable to run into a variety of wild animals on trail walks and his off-leash forays into wooded areas. Squirrel, chipmunks, rabbits, and badgers will have little to no effect on your dog, but what happens when he meets up with a skunk? Your curious pet is quite likely to get sprayed if he insists on checking out this strange, black-and-white little creature.

Before a skunk sprays, she’ll give off warning signals: she’ll raise her tail, stand up on her hind legs, and stomp her front feet. That would be the time to get your dog quickly away from the situation. A skunk’s spray, termed “mercapton,” contains compounds called “thiols” that are not water-soluble, meaning they’re extremely hard to get out of your dog’s fur – and your clothes – with a simple shampoo bath. A fresh spray will burn your nose and, if it hits your dog’s eyes, can blind him for up to 2 days.  If you don’t get rid of the spray immediately, the smell – and its remnants – can last for up to 2 years.

Tips BEFORE You Bathe

  • Change into old clothes that you’re willing to throw away. Skunk spray is actually an oil that is as hard to get out of fabric, as it is dog fur. Don’t allow your dog to lie on his bedding for the same reason.

  • Make sure to wear disposable rubber gloves when handling or washing your dog. You don’t want the smell on your hands or skin.

  • If possible, leave your dog outside, and bathe him outside, to keep the odor out of your home
  • Try blotting some of the skunk spray with paper towels before you begin washing. Don’t rub the oil down further into the hair coat and try not to spread it further on your dog’s fur. If you use a regular bathing towel, you’ll want to use one you can later toss in the trash.
  • Determine where the spray hit your dog. You may be able to trim away some of the contaminated fur or comb it out.

Bathing Your Stinky Dog

Bathe and rinse the sprayed parts of your dog 2 or 3 times just to get out the oily skunk spray before you bathe the rest of the dog. That will help to keep the spray from spreading to uncontaminated parts of the fur.

There are some new, all-natural, anti-skunk sprays and shampoos out on the market that use essential oil-based odor counteractants in a two-step process. First, an organic spray chemically alters the odorous components of the skunk mercapton. Then, an odor neutralizing shampoo containing essential oils and organic compounds works to eliminate skunk odors and other nasty smells. The spray can also be used on water-safe clothing and furniture.

If you live in the country, or in a suburban area where skunks are prevalent, you’d do well to have these kinds of anti-skunk sprays and conditioners on hand for emergencies.

Alternatives in Emergencies

If the initial 3 or 4 baths with regular canine shampoo doesn’t leave your pooch odor-free, there are home remedies that you can try. Please note, these home remedies may not be as effective as a special anti-skunk shampoo.

Tomato juice has long been used to clear up skunk odors. Take room temperature juice and a wet sponge and thoroughly coat your dog’s hair with the tomato juice. Allow the juice to dry, then bathe and rinse your dog normally. The tomato juice might stain the coat of lighter haired dogs, but that is a small price to pay to get rid of the odor.

Listerine mouthwash is also an alternative. Use it liberally as you would the tomato juice. If your dog has sensitive skin, please note that the acid content of the mouthwash is extremely high and may irritate your dog’s skin.

The US Department of Fish and Wildlife has this formula as an alternative solution to skunk spray:

  • 1 quart of fresh, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution)
  • ¼ cup of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
  • 1 teaspoon of a liquid soap that is known for its degreasing qualities

Mix the solution in a large, open container because a closed container can explode with the fizzing action between the baking soda and the hydrogen peroxide. Use the entire mixture while it is still bubbling. Wearing rubber gloves, apply the solution, work it into lather, and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing.

Categories
Odor/Smell

What to do if your dog gets skunked!

by EcoWellDog– Natural Leaders in Grooming & Wellness

Skunks are a part of our natural environment, and we have to learn to live with them. That’s not always easy when your dog has an encounter with one of these striking little black and white creatures. They can spray your dog with a liquid that smells horrible, and once it is on his fur, it isn’t easy to remove.

Apart from the smell, skunk spray can have a few adverse effects on your dog’s health.

Skin Irritation

Skunk spray contains some very irritant chemicals in it. This means that any area of your dog’s skin that comes in contact with the spray can become red and inflamed. It is likely to be itchy, so he will scratch at it and make it even worse. This is more likely to happen on the sensitive hairless parts of his body, such as his nose and eyes.

Anemia

In some cases, a dog can develop anemia after being exposed to skunk spray. This is rare, and usually results from either repeated sprays in the face without good ventilation, or being sprayed right in his mouth. It’s important that you keep a close eye on your dog for 48 hours after his altercation with a skunk, and watch for increasing lethargy.

Dealing With That Offensive Smell

There’s no way you’ll want to go near your dog until the skunk spray has been removed or neutralized! Even after you think the job is done, you may find he still has a faint skunky odor when he is damp.

You need to be careful what you use to clean your dog after an encounter with a skunk. Some products can irritate his skin and cause redness and scaling.

There are plenty of anecdotes about what does and doesn’t work when it comes to removing skunk smell.

What doesn’t work:

  • Tomato juice or tomato sauce applied to your dog will leave him messy and smelly.
  • A Coca Cola rinse won’t do much except make his coat sticky.
  • Spraying him with perfume won’t cover the stench, and the combination of fragrance and skunk odor is likely to smell even worse!

What does work:

  • Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover has been found by many to work well when it is used according to the directions on the label.
  • Vinegar and water used as a rinse and left to dry on your dog’s coat can neutralize the skunky smell. Mix 2 to 4 ounces of vinegar in 2 quarts of warm water and use a spray bottle to apply it all over. Alternatively, you can purchase a vinegar and water douche from the drug store and use it in the spray bottle.
  • One of the most effective recipes is to combine 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda and a couple of teaspoons of Dawn liquid dish soap. Mix these ingredients thoroughly and pour over your dog. Make sure you have disposable gloves on, and rub it into a lather. Leave it on his coat for ten minutes, and don’t let him lick his fur as the mixture could make him vomit. Rinse him thoroughly and repeat if necessary.

This mixture doesn’t keep so use it up within an hour of making it. Don’t smoke while you are washing your dog, as it is flammable. You may find it will lighten the color of black dogs and fade your clothes but it will definitely get rid of the skunk smell.

Skunk odor is not nice at all, but armed with these recipes you can make sure your dog smells sweet again before you cuddle up close to him.

Categories
bad breath Dental Hygeine gas & poop Odor/Smell Old Age

A brief introduction to Probiotics

Probiots found in milk

By Candace Leak

Yesterday when I was walking through the grocery store, I noticed that a lot of food manufacturers are touting probiotics and prebiotics, especially in the yogurt section. If you are like me, you probably find it hard to keep up with all of the nutritional information – What’s good? What’s bad? What’s all the hype about? Below is a brief introduction to probiotics.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria. Everyone has good bacteria living in their body. The idea behind consuming probiotics as part of your diet (or giving to your pet) is based on the theory of competitive exclusion. This theory is that there are not enough resources for both the good and bad bacteria to thrive in your body. So, if you replenish the good bacteria, they will flourish and will out-compete and eventually displace/kill off the bad bacteria. (Learn more about this theory here )

What is the difference between PRObiotics and PREbiotics?

Probiotics are the live organisms. Prebiotics are nutrient fibers that probiotics live on. So, when you take probiotics, you are ingesting live organisms. When you take prebiotics, you are taking nutrients to feed and help the probiotics already in your system to thrive.

What ailments are probiotics supposed to help?

You will most often see probiotics used to optimize digestive health. My vet recommended probiotics when Able had chronic diarrhea. I noticed a HUGE difference. You may also see products that help with wounds as many infections are caused by an over-abundance of bad bacteria.

At Cain & Able Collection, we have a wonderful Oral Hygiene Probiotic designed specifically for your dog. Plaque is bad/non-beneficial bacteria that builds up in the mouth from the foods consumed. The Oral Hygiene pray replenishes the good bacteria in the pet’s mouth, which reduces plaque and prevents tarter. (Tarter is simply dead, calcified bacteria.) An added benefit of reducing plaque and preventing tarter is the prevention of bad breath and neutralization of odors.

Something else to consider…

If you decide that probiotics are going to be part of yours or your pet’s diet, make sure to find probiotics that are produced through a natural fermentation process that utilizes organic and natural ingredients. Look for the words Non-GMO, meaning that the product does NOT contain any genetically modified organisms.

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Itchy Skin & Allergies Odor/Smell

My dog smells bad AND has itchy skin

Dogs with a normal healthy skin and coat don’t smell offensive, and they don’t itch. If your dog smells awful, has a greasy coat and is constantly scratching, it means there is something very wrong.

In many cases, the problem is a fungus called Malassezia. This little yeast organism is responsible for skin infections that are especially itchy, smelly and greasy to the touch.

Diagnosis and Treatment

It’s not hard to diagnose Malassezia infection on your dog’s skin. Your veterinarian will apply some sticky tape to his skin, and gently peel it off, picking up some yeast organisms in the process. He will be able to identify the organisms under the microscope.

There are several options for treatment, depending on the severity of the infection. If it is only a small problem, you may be able to control it by regularly bathing your dog in an anti-fungal shampoo and applying an anti-fungal ointment. More severe cases need to be treated with anti-fungal tablets.

Where does Malassezia Come From?

Small numbers of Malassezia live on the skin of all dogs, and neither you or your dog notice any effects. Before they can cause skin problems, there needs to be a change to the surface of the skin that allows them to grow and multiply. Large quantities of yeast on the skin result in the familiar musty odor and itch.

Malassezia seems to enjoy oily skin, and any condition that increases oil production will also increase the numbers of yeast on the skin. The most common condition is an allergic reaction, however dogs with seborrhea will also have increased oil production, and a secondary Malassezia infection.

There are some less common predisposing causes. Some dogs have a deficiency in their immune system, which allows Malassezia to multiply, and others are allergic to the yeast. If this is the case you should start your dog on immune boosting supplements.

Dogs with hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism are also predisposed to Malassezia overgrowth.The end result is the same – lots of yeast, itchy skin, dreadful odor and a greasy coat.

Fortunately, Malassezia infections aren’t contagious, but it can take a bit of work to clear them up.

Prevention is Best

Because Malassezia infection is secondary to some underlying skin problem, the only way to stop it recurring is to identify and control that underlying cause. Your veterinarian can help you with this, and your dog may need blood tests and allergy tests to get to the bottom of it.

  • In the meantime, the oatmeal in this colloidal oatmeal shampoo for dry & itchy skin will soothe your dog’s skin inflammation, and ease his itch. Because it rinses clean, it won’t leave any residue on his skin, and it will leave him smelling minty fresh. 
  • If you notice any areas where your dog is particularly itchy, tackle them with an anti itch spray for dogs. This all natural spray will quickly ease his itch and stop him scratching.
  • You can also try fish oil. Just put it over your dog’s food, and the omega rich oil will support healthy skin and also general well being. 
  • Give treats with benefits. If you normally treat your dog anyway, why not give a treat that includes ingredients that support healthy skin and coat? 

It can be hard work, but if you control your dog’s underlying skin condition, and care for his skin and coat the Malassezia won’t have the opportunity to multiply. This means no yeast infection, no itchy skin and no smelly dog. It’s worth the effort.

PROTIP: 

If you work outside of the house, we highly recommend a Furbo Dog Camera. It allows you to see, talk and toss treats to your dog from anywhere. This way you can monitor how much scratching and paw licking your dog does while you’re not home. You can also speak to your dog if you see her licking to try and distract her.

 

Categories
Grooming Odor/Smell Paws Shampoo Tear Stains

Time To Winterize Your Dog

Winter Dogs

By Kevin Fisher
It’s November and in most parts of the country winter is imminent. (It’s even getting a tad chilly here in Southern California!) Time to winterize your house with a little weather stripping and a few extra blankets; time to to winterize your car with anti-freeze and an ice scraper. It’s even time to start thinking about winterizing your best friend! No you don’t need to weather strip or de-ice your dog but there are a few things to bear in mind as the shorter days draw in.
It goes without saying that if you live in a cold weather area you should have a warm place for your dog to sleep . The back yard is no longer good enough unless your little guy has a somewhere to get out of the wind and the rain (but you knew that already didn’t you)
If you bathe your own dog make sure you use warmer water, preferably inside and spend a little extra time drying and brushing. Bubbles n’ Beads is the perfect cold weather product because it cleans and conditions in one go so your dog spends less time wet. If you want to skip a few bath times try DryDog Instant Clean , an all natural bath replacement spray that not only helps to clean your best friend but contains ordenone, an ingredient that traps and removes the bad smells that seem to flourish between groomings. TIP: Keep a rag and bottle at the door to use on after-walk muddy paws
Don’t leave your dog alone in the car; If the engine is left running there’s a possibility of carbon monoxide infiltrating the car, if the engine is not on it may just get too cold.
Salty frozen sidewalks can be a dogs worst enemy. Not only do his paw pads (and nose) get cold but they’re desiccated even further by the salt. It’s always a good idea to rinse and wipe his paws (and nose if he’s been sniffing around) when yo come back in from a walk. A great product to use before and after walks is bowWow Butter Balm . Apply a little before you go out and it forms a barrier between the skin and the environment and a little more after you come in will prevent irritation and heal dry skin. Note you should never use Petroleum jelly or Petroleum based products on your dogs pads; petroleum jelly contains petrolatum, which can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. bowWow Butter balm is all natural shea butter and is perfectly safe.
Be vigilant on walks, this is the season for antifreeze and some of which can spill on driveways, It’s a particularly lethal product because it tastes and smells good to your dog but contains ethylene glycol, which can be deadly even in small quantities.
If your dog is out in the cold and starts shaking or shivering get him inside as soon as possible. If the shaking doesn’t stop within ten minutes of being inside it’s a good idea to call your vet.
Like people, dog’s seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter , so be alert for the warning signs; loss of appetite, drinking an inordinate amount of water or just general lethargy. Never give your dog over-the-counter medications meant for humans unless you’ve spoken to your vet first. Some products that are perfectly safe for humans are toxic to dogs; aspirin, in the wrong dosage can cause toxicity, pseudoephedrine can be very harmful or even deadly to pets, even breath fresheners can contain both menthol, (which can be irritating to the mouth and the stomach) and xylitol (which can cause liver damage).
If you want to be proactive in keeping your best friend healthy this year Eyemunity is the perfect product. It contains Epicor an all natural immune booster that will not only improve your dog’s overal health but also help prevent tearstains. Click here for more information on this product
But the winter is not all bad news, many people, and dogs find the chill in the air invigorating. (I’m definitely not one of them, 20 years shoveling snow in in New York were enough for me:-) As a dog owner you not only have a loyal playmate but you have your own personal heating unit; your dog’s body temperature is a few degrees higher than yours so cuddle up and enjoy the exothermia!

Categories
Odor/Smell

Why do some dogs smell worse than others?

Photo by Tiffany Hayden

There’s no doubt about it, some breeds of dogs just plain smell bad. When you start to look at why, you’ll find that in most cases these dogs fall into three categories.

  • hereditary skin disease
  • poor conformation
  • activities the dog enjoys

Size, Shape and Conformation

Some breeds of dogs are unfortunate enough to have the type of conformation that leads to skin infections. Consider, for example, the British Bulldog. These handsome dogs have many skin folds on their face and around their corkscrew tail, which can trap moisture and become infected with bacteria. This doesn’t smell good at all. Sharpei dogs are similarly affected. If you own a breed of dog with multiple skin folds, it’s important that you wash them regularly and thoroughly in these folds, to reduce bacterial growth. You can try pre-moistened towelettes specially designed for a dog’s delicate skin to get in between the folds to remove the odor-causing bacteria. The best shampoo for really smelly and dirty dogs is Bubbles ‘n Beads , a combined shampoo and conditioner. This shampoo really cleans and leaves your dog smelling just like fresh laundry. To read more about caring for wrinkly dogs, click here .

Another source of dreadful doggy odor is the ears. Dogs with floppy ears, such as Spaniels, tend to have less air circulation in the ear canal, which prevents the canals from drying out. You can help keep your dog’s ears clean, healthy and smelling better by regularly using Ear Wipes to dry them out and remove debris. If your dog develops itchy ears, you may find that Ear Clear is a great help in reducing any swelling and discomfort in his ear.

Dental disease is known to be more of a problem in toy breeds of dogs, or those breeds with flattened noses. Vets believe that having the same number of teeth in a smaller space leads to overcrowding, and the accumulation of food scraps between the teeth. This certainly doesn’t smell good, especially when your dog wants to kiss you. You may need to visit your veterinarian to have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned, before you get up close and personal again. When this is done, make sure you clean his teeth regularly to keep his breath fresh.

Hereditary Skin Conditions

Skin allergies such as atopy are considered to be hereditary in nature. This means they’re more likely to occur in some breeds than in others. Breeds that are commonly affected by atopic dermatitis include German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Schnauzers and many terrier breeds.

The inflammation associated with skin allergies can change the surface of a dog’s skin, such that the normal bacteria and fungi that live there multiply and cause infection. This infection smells foul and can itch dreadfully. When a dog scratches the itch, he traumatizes his skin, which predisposes to further infection, and a vicious cycle ensues. You may well be familiar with the rancid smell of a dog with a skin infection.

Managing these allergies involves reducing your dog’s reaction to the allergen with antihistamines or corticosteroids, and treating him to control the secondary infection. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or anti fungal medication to do this, but you can play an active role by choosing an appropriate shampoo.

Comfy Dog Shampoo followed by Fur Butter both contain colloidal oatmeal, which will ease your dog’s itch and stop him scratching. This will allow the infection to heal. You can use this shampoo as often as every day, and it will gently cleanse your dog’s coat and leave it smelling fresh.

Activities

Some dog breeds may be more adventurous than others and this curiosity will often lead them to things that may cause odor such as rolling in road kill, swimming in the lake or pool, rolling in the mud and killing various vermin and critters. You have probably noticed that bigger dogs are typically more smelly than say, a 5 pound Maltese. Probably the smaller dog is indoors, bathed frequently and pampered while the larger dog may be outdoors playing and not bathed very often. Also, there is just more of a larger dog to get smelly!

If you happen to own a breed that is predisposed to smelling bad, you may be in for a bit of hard work. It’s worth it. Tackling the cause of your breed’s odor head on will mean that you can have a close relationship with your dog, without the smell.

Categories
bad breath gas & poop Odor/Smell

5 Quick Tips to Eliminate Unwanted Doggy Odors



Let’s face it. Dogs don’t always smell good. Whether the smell is from their front end, their back end, or just their whole body, the result is the same. Sometimes they’re not all that pleasant to be around.
Here are five quick steps you can take to eliminate that funky dog smell, and avoid being knocked out when your dog wants to sit close to you.
1. If your dog has that strong doggy smell and is itchy, he may have skin infection and inflammation. This can be secondary to allergies, hormonal disorders or nutritional deficiencies. The end result is the same – an overgrowth of bacteria and fungi on the skin.
Treatment is straightforward – your vet will help you diagnose and correct the underlying problem and will prescribe antibiotics to kill the secondary infection. In the meantime, you can minimize the smell by washing him in Bubbles ‘n Beads Shampoo . It will gently cleanse his skin and coat, and its colloidal oatmeal will ease the inflammation and relieve his itching. For days that you don’t wash your dog by Fido is smelly funky, use a dry shampoo like Dry Dog Instant Clean . It’s ingredients capture and eliminate foul smells so you can breathe!
2. Dogs love rolling in smelly things. In fact, the smellier the better. It can be hard to stop him doing this, particularly if you like to take your dog for a walk and let him run free. All you can do to get rid of the smell is to give him a bath. The problem is, if you’re going to bath your dog frequently, you do need to be careful in your choice of shampoo. Many shampoos will dry his coat, and this can lead to scratching.
If you’re going to bath your dog often, then Bubbles’n Beads is the product to use. It’s a gentle, all natural shampoo but more importantly, it contains micro beads full of conditioning vitamins, which break open at skin level and deliver their conditioners right to the root of the hair. The result is a soft luxurious healthy coat, no matter how often you bath him. If it’s too cold to bathe your dog, or you just need relief from the smell immediately, try Dry Dog Instant Clean, a spray-on bath replacement with aloe and kiwi.
3. Dental disease is a common cause of bad odor around your dog’s head. Have a look inside his mouth, and check for reddening of the gum line, and any build up of calculus on his teeth, particularly those at the back of his mouth. A study has shown that 85% of dogs over 3 years of age have some degree of gum disease, so even if his teeth and gums don’t look so bad, they may still the source of the stench.
Purchase a toothbrush and paste specially formulated for dogs. Don’t use your own as human toothpaste contains soap and since dogs can’t spit… well you get the idea! Also, consider changing his diet to see if it improves his breath, and give him a regular spray of Dog Smog Remedy . Its peppermint and fennel botanical extracts will freshen his breath in no time. And then be sure to make brushing your dog’s teeth at least a weekly activity to avoid tooth decay.
4. Now to a less pleasant topic. Dogs have two little anal glands at each side of their anus, and they contain a foul smelling fluid. Every time your dog ummm poops, a little of this fluid is expressed to leave a little of your dog’s scent behind. Similarly, when two dogs meet and sniff under each others tail, they’re smelling each others unique perfume. Don’t you wish they’d just shake hands?
In most cases, dogs don’t have too many problems with these glands. However, they can become blocked and infected, and in extreme cases, they may abscess. As you can imagine, this doesn’t smell very good at all. If this happens, your dog may need veterinary treatment to resolve the problem, but you can avoid it happening again. Feeding your dog a high fiber diet can make his feces bulkier, which will put pressure on the glands, and keep them drained. To learn more about this problem, click here.
5. We’re all familiar with the unpleasant odor of dog flatulence. There are many causes, but most cases of foul smelling flatulence are associated with poor digestion of food. Changing your dog’s diet to a highly digestible, low residue food can help. Whatever diet you choose to feed him, it’s a good idea to add digestive enzymes to his food to improve digestibility. Again, Dog Smog Remedy will come to the rescue. It is simply sprayed in the mouth, and contains digestive enzymes to help break down his food and reduce the bad odor at the other end.

Categories
bad breath Odor/Smell

Do you have a smelly, dirty dog?

by Carlotta Cooper

Stinky Dogs!

Have you ever been happily petting your dog, thinking how lucky you are to have such a wonderful best friend, looking deeply into his soulful eyes — when all of a sudden he lets out a burp that makes the house shake? You probably pull your face back fast enough to get whiplash. The odor certainly makes you start wondering what’s in the food you feed your dog.

Or, there’s the classic situation when you’re sitting with your dog and you start noticing a strong noxious odor in the room. You look at your dog but he continues to wag his tail and look quite happy. You know that toxic smell came from him but he’s not saying a word.

Sometimes it seems like dogs delight in finding the smelliest things they can to roll in and play with when they’re outdoors. Dogs actually do like to roll in garbage and dead animal carcasses. Dogs have a very different idea of what smells good than we do. They can actually like playing with stinky things. In the wild, wolves will even roll in such things in order to disguise their own scent. It helps them get closer to their prey.

Eeewww!

For most encounters with garbage and smelly dead things a good bath will take care of the problem. You can use a shampoo and conditioner like Bubbles n’ Beads which has a clean laundry scent to replace the eau de varmint smell your dog has chosen. If your dog has smelly skin because of a bacterial infection then Bubbles n’ Beads can help with that odor, too. It contains antimicrobial tea tree and lavender oils.

If your dog has a close encounter with a skunk one good de-skunking remedy is to bathe your dog in the following solution:

1 quart (or liter) of 3 percent Hydrogen Peroxide

1/4 cup Baking Soda

A small amount of dish detergent, such as Dawn

Bathe your dog as soon as you find him after he meets the skunk. The skunk’s spray will most likely be hurting his eyes. You may have to bathe more than once but the first bath will noticeably reduce the odor.

Going Grunge

Most people like to give their dog a bath at least once a month (to learn how often to wash your dog click here .) That’s fine for most dogs and most breeds. It’s often enough to keep a dog clean and yet it doesn’t strip all of the natural oils from your dog’s coat. If you need to stretch the time between baths you may notice that your dog starts to smell a little rank. To be frank, you may want to walk down wind of him. If that’s the case and your dog is getting a little grungy, then something like Dry Dog Instant Clean can keep you and your dog in the same room together. Dry Dog Instant Clean is a dry shampoo that you can use instead of a bath. Or, you can use a canine cologne like Fur Breeze which also removes doggy odor.

His Breath Could Stop A Train

If your dog has chronic bad breath (not just an occasional burp), you should check his teeth. Many dogs develop gum disease by the age of three. Frequent brushing with a pet toothbrush and toothpaste will help prevent dental problems for your dog and keep his breath pleasant. Make sure that you don’t use human toothpaste. It can contain artificial sweeteners which are toxic to dogs. Check your pet sore for doggy toothpaste. It comes in flavors such as beef and peanut butter and most dogs love them. Dog Smog Remedy is also a great help for bad doggy breath. It’s an all-natural breath freshener that contains peppermint and fennel. You can spray it in your dog’s mouth or add a few drops to his food or water. A breath freshener like Dog Smog Remedy really helps when your dog has eaten something disgusting and temporarily has bad breath.

Noxious Fumes

Dog Smog Remedy is also a digestive aid so it can help with problems from your dog’s, um, other end. If your dog has problems with flatulence (or gaseous eruptions) Dog Smog Remedy can help neutralize the digestive enzymes in your dog’s stomach that are causing the excess gas. Of course, if your dog has a continuing problem with gas then you should re-evaluate his food and overall diet. Something he’s eating may not be agreeing with him. Some foods, especially those high in plant content, including corn and soybeans, can be harder for a dog to digest properly.

You should not give your dog over-the-counter medications for flatulence or stomach problems, such as Pepto-Bismol, without the advice of your veterinarian. Human medications can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs.

No More Bad Smells

Dogs seem to be smelly in a lot of different ways, but I guess the same could be said of people. Heaven knows we have plenty of ways to fight bad odors for humans! As far as I know there aren’t any doggy deodorants but there are other ways to help your dog smell good. You can make his breath smell better, make his skin and coat smell good, and help him fight noxious emissions. Anything that makes your dog smell good will make it more fun to spend time with him so these are all good things to know.