Why do dogs smell

These are often caused by a diet high in carbohydrates and processed foods. Changing to a high-protein, non-processed dog food or trying out allergy tablets for dogs can often help with this.

There are many types of bacteria and yeast that can cause ear infections. A healthy ear usually has good defences to fight off the bacteria but if the dog suffers from allergies or hormonal imbalances, the yeast and bacteria can increase dramatically, causing a malodorous smell.

Dogs with hairy or floppy ears such as Basset Hounds and Springer Spaniels may have consistent ear problems unless the ears are kept clean and dry. This is one of the most common causes of stinky dogs. All our canine companions have two small scent sacs on their bottom they are a type of marking gland which is why dogs smell rear ends when meeting.

If they become impacted, it can cause pain for the dog and an extremely smelly secretion is released and remains on the fur. If the stink persists, consult your veterinarian as some medical conditions can produce strange odors.

See Also:. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. Submit Feedback. Still have questions? Continue to Chewy. Connect With a Vet Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video. Some dogs will need more frequent ear check-ins than others. If your dog is a spaniel, retriever, terrier, poodle or bulldog breed or blend, keep an eye on those ears.

What makes these dogs more susceptible to ear infection is long, floppy ears, or narrow ear canals or hair in their external ear canals.

This environment can create the conditions for a buildup of ear wax, oils and debris like dust and dirt from being outside. Then add darkness and moisture, and you have the perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.

Time to get to the bottom of it. Fish smells happen when your dog has blocked anal glands. Just about every dog gets compacted anal glands at one time or another. As the glands experience a buildup, it can progress to an infection. Firm, normal-size stools put pressure on the glands so they can secrete normally.

This causes pain and discomfort in your dog. You may find him seeking relief by scooting on his bottom. If tummy issues and the eventual compacted glands are an ongoing thing with your dog, a change of diet is often the best remedy. Ever wonder what the recipe is for this particularly pungent scent? Scientists did too, and some have started sniffing around for the chemical components that raise this unique stink.

Andy Brunning, a British chemistry teacher, has distilled the essence of the complex molecular reactions into an infographic posted on his blog, Compound Interest. This is just one in his series of infographics offering scientific explanations for odors that greet—or assault—our nostrils on a typical day, like new car, toilets, coffee, fresh-cut grass, and bacon, for example.

Aroma of wet dog, Brunning explains, starts with a cast of tiny critters— yeasts and bacteria —that take up residence on your pet. The smell of wet-dog, Brunning says, comes from moisture evaporation that carries some of those compounds with it. Brunning characterizes the signature odor as a mixture of scents, including almond, fruit, honey, and mushroom, with hints of sulfur and feces.

But he ends with a call to action. While any dog can get smelly, some dogs are more prone to a bad scent based on their build. For example, consider a Chinese Shar-Pei , which has large skin flaps that can retain moisture.