External irritants, allergens, burns, or bacterial/viral/parasitic/fungal infections can all be present. If your dog still smells after a bath, is excessively scratching or licking, has a lot of scaling, or is rubbing his/herself on the carpet, take them to a vet as soon as possible.
Medical Reasons Dogs May Stink
Secondary yeast or bacterial infections on the skin or inside the ears remain the most common medical reasons dogs might smell awful. Allergies often begin the process, which leads to scratching and licking that open the door for infections.
Some of the most common reasons your dog smells bad and itches are allergies and yeast infections. Both skin conditions can cause terrible odors. Skin irritation, redness and inflammation — especially paired with scratching — are all symptoms.
Baking soda is a natural odor-absorber. Sprinkle the powder over carpets, rugs and furniture, let it sit overnight and vacuum it up the next day. Likewise, apple cider vinegar can be used with laundry detergent in your washing machine to remove smells from blankets, cushion covers, curtains and other linens.
Most people can smell the dog and immediately know he has a yeast problem because yeast has a very distinctive smell. A normal healthy dog should not smell. If your dog is itching and has a distinctive musty smell or if his feet smell like Corn Chips, or ears smell like musty mold, he may have a yeast infection.
Dogs can stink even after a bath, typically resulting from an infection, bacteria, gas, or a disease. However, you can solve many of these issues with regular vet visits, consistent bathing and grooming, and a healthy diet! To keep your dog smelling good, make sure to examine them from time to time.
carbs and sugar are what yeast thrives on. Feeding a high carbohydrate kibble diet often leads to food allergies or intolerances that make your dog more susceptible to yeast.
Our top choice for medicated dog shampoos for fungal infections is Pet MD Antiseptic and Antifungal Medicated Pet Shampoo. Not only does it contain the antifungal agent ketoconazole, but it also contains colloidal oatmeal and aloe vera to soothe and moisturize infected skin that has become itchy and irritated.
Topical ingredients that are effective in treating yeast include chlorhexidine, miconazole, and ketoconazole. In difficult-to-treat or severe cases, oral antifungal medications are used. Oral antifungal medications used in dogs include fluconazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole, and itraconazole.
You shouldn't wash your dog more often than once a month because excessive shampooing can strip the natural oils from their skin and coat. These oils help to keep their skin and fur in good condition, and overwashing will lead to dry skin and fur, which can cause or worsen any skin ailments your pooch has.
Rule of thumb: You can bathe your dog about once a month unless they seem smelly/dirty, or you notice it over-dries their skin. Note: Be sure to avoid over-bathing. Dry skin caused by over-bathing can be very uncomfortable. Dogs need a certain amount of oil to maintain a healthy coat and skin.
Infection happens when bacteria, which exist naturally on dogs' bodies, overgrows within the warm, moist environment between skin folds, explains the VCA. The smell is pungent, and the infection itself can cause itching and pain for your pup. If you notice this issue, you should see your vet right away.
Yeast Overgrowth
If your female dog smells funky, they may have a yeast or bacterial infection, such as vaginitis. Check for any signs of yellow or white discharge as another indicator of this infection. Many dogs also have a problem with ear infections due to overgrown yeast and/or bacteria.
Dog groomers always use shampoo especially formulated for dogs, including those specifically designed to remove odors from the hair and skin. These shampoos go the extra step to eliminate odors with various odor-killing ingredients, while other shampoos simply shield odors for a limited period of time.
Also known as Malassezia dermatitis, yeast infections are usually found in the ears, skin folds, and in between paw pads. Overgrown yeast can make your pet uncomfortable. A yeast infection in the ear could cause deafness if left untreated, for instance.
An Excellent Probiotic For Their Gut
If that was not enough, the probiotics found in yogurts can help your dog to fight yeast infections, which can result in ear and skin problems. Furthermore, probiotics may help your dog's body to absorb nutrients and boost immunity.
Apple cider vinegar for dogs may help prevent itchy skin while soothing skin irritation and rashes. Since it's acidic, it may also prevent yeast infections on the skin and ears. In addition, the acidic compounds in apple cider vinegar can eliminate dandruff and treat some mild skin conditions like hot spots.
Adding baking soda into your pet's water will eradicate the fungal infection and help to establish a more appropriate balance of bacteria in your pet's system. To use baking soda, add 1 teaspoon soda to 1 liter of water and use the treatment for 5 to 7 days.
For dogs with bacterial, fungal or yeast infections, ringworm or mange, frequent bathing helps kill the infectious organisms and parasites. And for dogs with skin diseases, it's recommended that they be bathed every one to two days to get the problem under control, and several times per week until the skin has healed.