How to Stop Doggy Odor

This article tells how to keep your dog from smelling bad.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Warm water
• Dog shampoo
• Towels
• Washcloth
• Scissors or clippers
• Dog brush

1. Like any other animal, dogs will walk, run, and play in places that might result in getting dirty or developing an odor. Dogs produce odors due to oily skin, dirt accumulation, ear or anal infections, and dental/plaque buildup. Not only can odor be offensive, it can be a sign of an unhealthy dog.

2. When a dog begins to emit doggy odor, closely inspect the dog from head to tail. Check the ears for debris, red skin, and odor. If an ear infection is present, it could be the result of the dog's ears not being properly ventilated. Ear infections are common in dogs with ears that are floppy or folded over. If the dog's ears are not properly ventilated, the inside becomes moist and warm, and infection can easily result. If an infection is present, take the dog to a vet. Never use Q-tips on your dog's ears.

3. Look in the dog's mouth for plaque buildup on the teeth, and for discolored or missing teeth. In addition to the well-known "dog breath," additional odor may be coming from the dog's mouth as a result of food buildup and poor oral hygiene. Feed the dog special plaque fighting dog biscuits daily. Get the dog's teeth cleaned as needed by your vet.

4. Check the dog's feet; there may be a cut or infection on the dog's foot pads. This type of injury should be immediately cleaned and bandaged. Run your fingers through the dog's coat, and make sure you inspect all sides of the coat. There may be a concealed skin injury underneath the fur. Also, check for an oily or greasy texture on the coat. The coat might be producing dandruff or the skin may be flaky. Injuries should be seen by a vet. One of the most prominent areas for odor generation is the dog's backside. There could be anal infection, a buildup of feces on the dog's coat, or the dog might be constipated or have diarrhea, both of which will produce significant odor. You can carefully trim the dog's backside with scissors to remove feces. A vet should treat an anal infection or impacted anal glands.

5. If your dog is exhibiting odor and may have an infection or illness, take measures to protect it. Make a dog-care schedule for your dog. Also, take the dog to a vet for a checkup.

6. Brushing dogs on a daily basis helps to reduce smell, remove excess fur, and stimulate new hair growth. Dogs need to be kept clean, but caution must be taken not to give too many baths. If the dog is bathed every week, the coat is deprived of natural oils. As a result, over- bathing can increase odor. A dog should be bathed once a month using warm water, dog shampoo, a washcloth, and towels.
   
   
   
   Part of maintaining a clean home includes washing animal bedding, play toys, and the dog's collar. After washing bedding, make sure that the bedding is completely dry before allowing the dog to sleep on it. If the bedding has been removed from the dryer or brought in from a clothes line, vacuum the bedding with a small hand vacuum; this will remove any debris that was left by the dryer.

[GHaider]

on 10/14/2008 Good information.