Have you ever arrived home to a stinky dog? Most pet owners will complain of the doggy stink which can make households “smell dirty”. As you know, our pooches love playing outdoors, oftentimes rolling in the mud and soil which may harbor foul-smelling dirt. The easy fix? The best dog shampoo for odor.
We love cuddling with our doggos, and if they smell bad, it’s just awful to miss the snoozling. But what if my dog smells fine but my house isn’t? We will look at these aspects too so you can now breathe easy and give that pauper endless cuddles.
Here’s what you need to know about the notorious doggy smell:
Why dog smell should be a concern
Let’s admit it: our dogs are stinky, their toys are stinky, and everywhere they stay becomes stinky. But this would only linger if we don’t bathe or clean the area properly.
Owning an outdoor dog isn’t an easy task. As much as they are lively and adorable doggos, they also bring in muck and tons of unknown yet smelly stuff. I got an adult Lab and I’m lucky if he’ll only bring sticks and not those poo-like muds he loves rolling into.
And here’s another fact: professional grooming is expensive. A single session will cost you around $30 to $90.
Then the next day, your very grateful pooch will decide to roll into the freshly mowed grass – one heck of a cycle.
Another problem with doggy smell is it makes your home uninviting. I’ve personally visited a friend’s house and the very first thing that welcomed me is the stinky smell of their three Bassets. I didn’t stay long. This is proof how the doggy smell can make your house feel dirtier than it is.
Lastly, doggy smell usually came from shed fur which will become your toddler’s handy snack. For those with sensitive noses, the dander and stinky smell can trigger allergic reactions.
Possible causes bad dog odor
No matter how we bathe our dog, the stinky smell can still ruin our home’s vibe. Basically, there are two main causes of the doggy odor: your dog itself or its shedding. I’ll give you some scenarios here which I personally experienced plus the causes of the bad smell:
1. My dog has a wet stinky smell after a bath!
This is actually annoying. After using the best dog shampoo for odor, you may still sniff that specific stink. Why is this happening?
Well, our dogs’ fur is the habitat of many microorganisms like bacteria and yeast. Usually, these tiny beings are not noticeable when your dog’s fur is dry. But when it gets wet, the water causes the release of the smelly compounds.
In this video, Crystal sums up the cause behind that wet dog smell:
The good thing here is that as long as you keep your pooch’s hair dry, the smell won’t be there. This is why your dog smells fresh after you comb and blow-dry the fur. Personally, I use the best smelling dog shampoo to combat the odor.
2. My dog’s breath smells awful
There are two possible reasons behind the halitosis: poor dental hygiene or a serious health condition.
We’re supposed to brush our dog’s teeth at least once a week. Like humans, they can develop plaque or food deposits may start to spoil inside their mouths. Imagine the smell of your tooth decay, it would be twice or even thrice the stink with your dog.
If your dog has a metallic or urine-like smell on his breath, you should send him to a veterinarian. This smell indicates the possibility of kidney failure.
3. My Pug is always stinky
The skin folds on dog breeds like Pugs, Pekingese, Spaniel, and the likes are prone to dermatitis. And since the skin fold may hide the rash, this could be left unnoticed until the next bath time.
You can avoid this by running your hands carefully on your dog’s skin once in a while. Check the folds and make sure that no rush or blisters are developing. The best dog shampoo for odor will help too.
4. My dog’s ears smell bad
Dogs with large ears like Beagles and Basset Hounds are notorious for having smelly ears. When the dirt accumulates inside, it can start forming bad smell if not cleaned properly.
This smells worse than a yeast infection. With this, you should include ear hygiene when grooming your dog.
5. My dog doesn’t smell but my house does
After bathing your dog, your house can still have the stinky smell. The shed fur, urine, saliva, and dander that linger inside your home will wreak the smelly havoc. It can be on your carpet, your couch, and the tiny crevices in between your furniture.
What can you do to remove the smell?
Stop spraying air fresheners, for goodness’ sake. It won’t mask the doggy smell and it will be harmful to your pet. So to combat the foul odor, here are some of the guaranteed steps you can take.
Start by removing all the pillowcases, sheets, and carpets. For the pillows and mattresses, air it outside. Lastly, take slipcovers and cushion covers too and put all these in the wash.
Wash the linens
If the dog smell is really insidious, you should remove the furniture in the room so you can air it outdoors. Start vacuuming each furniture, pillow, and mattresses religiously. Don’t rush this part. Throw the linens to the wash and use ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar together with an oxy powered detergent. This will kill the bacteria and remove all the smell.
Scour the floor
Once you get all the stuff vacuumed and aired, don’t put it back right away. You still have to check the floor.
Your floor is the hiding place for “hair bunnies” or chunks of shed fur that accumulated over time. Vacuum to your heart’s content until all the shed fur and dander are removed. Pay close attention to tiny crevices as this can be a nasty habitat of bacteria. I suggest that you wipe the surfaces clean with a non-toxic cleaner. Your pet might have drooled or wiped pee on it.
Clean the carpet
For the carpet, you can use baking soda. Sprinkle it lavishly to your carpet until everything is covered. Let this sit overnight before vacuuming in the morning. I suggest that you do this outdoors. If the dog smell on your carpet is beyond words, I suggest that you hire a professional carpet cleaner.
You can do the same thing with your mattress. However, I suggest that you do it very early in the morning so you can still remake the bed at nighttime.
Use essential oils
Once the washing, vacuuming, and cleaning are done, you can diffuse essential oils to improve the scent of your home. Remember to check on your dog’s vet if this is safe for him. You can also use essential oils on the coat of your doggo. For small breeds, a single drop can go a long way.
Bathe your dog
If the main reason for the stinky smell is your dog’s dirty coat, it’s time to give the pooch a bath. Use the best dog shampoo for odor to keep the canine fresh. Lather it and run your fingers through the fur to spot any infection.
Let the formula sit for a few minutes before you rinse. This will let the shampoo seep through the thick coat of your dog while killing the smell-inducing compounds.
Always use the best smelling dog shampoo as this is a make-or-break part. Many commercial dog shampoos are made to reduce odor and control shedding.
Bathing your dog? Here are some tips from Dr. Andrew Jones to keep the stink away!
How shampoos help with the dog odor
Shampoo products made specifically to control dog odor has special ingredients. In the same vein, you should check the ingredients list to ensure that it doesn’t contain any harmful substances.
To give you an idea, here are some of the best ingredients to look for:
Essential oils. Dog shampoos are usually blended with oils like tea tree, lavender, and vanilla extracts for a better smell. These also help in reviving the health of your dog’s coat to reduce skin problems that create the odor.
Salicylic acid. This is usually used on cosmetic products to prevent acne. Also, salicylic acid on dog shampoos helps control over reactive sebaceous gland that overproduces oil. Excessive oil production is the leading cause for that “wet dog” shampoo.
Oatmeal. I’ve used many oatmeal shampoos for my pooches as it helps with skin issues while keeping the fur soft and easy to comb.
These are just three of the usual ingredients I see on dog shampoos. I’d like to add that each dog will have unique needs. If your pooch has severe allergies, you may want to consult the vet first before using any product.
Top 2 best smelling dog shampoo
If you’re looking for the best shampoo to fix the stinky dog problem, here are two of my favorites. These made wonders on my doggos and I can say that they are less stinky than before:
Honeydew’s Colloidal Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
This Honeydew dog shampoo is a game-changer for me. It has oatmeal and lavender oil that are great for dogs with very sensitive skin. It also removes odor without the need for a separate conditioner. This best dog shampoo for odor also has jojoba oil that reduces peeling and flaking.
My dog who had a bad case of skin rash found a match on this shampoo. After a few weeks, we saw massive progress on his fur. Aside from that, we no longer have to bear with the stinky smell of his infected skin.
What I love the most is that this shampoo contains 100% natural ingredients. If you’re not happy with the results, you can send it back with a 100% money-back guarantee. It’s also tear-proof which your dog will thank you for.
One wash of this shampoo and the odor will be gone. It won’t just mask the smell, the shampoo will remove it! There’s no heavy after-scent that can be too overpowering for dogs’ noses.
Lastly, I also noticed that my dogs are no longer scratching too much. It’s probably due to the soothing effect of this shampoo. Anyway, I wish it comes in a larger bottle. This best smelling dog shampoo is only available in 236 ml containers.
PROS
✔️Real colloidal consistency that absorbs bad odor
✔️All natural ingredients
✔️Best even for sensitive dog skin
✔️100% money-back guarantee if you’re not happy
CONS
❌Hard to squeeze and you may need to unscrew the whole lid
❌Lacks fresh scent after use which can be an issue for some dog owners
Bexley Lab’s Curaseb Medicated Pet Shampoo
One of my dogs once developed yeast infection which stinks really bad. I had to send him to the vet for proper treatment when the dog doctor recommended this to me.
The Curaseb medicated shampoo helps cure ringworm, pyoderma, intense allergies, and other skin issues. It contains Chlorhexidine which is a known antiseptic used for killing bacteria, fungus, and other disease-causing microorganisms.
The Curaseb shampoo helps deodorize your pet’s skin while keeping it clean and fresh. This best smelling dog shampoo has a more pleasant smell, unlike the Malaseb shampoo I used to bathe my dogs with before.
Take note that if your dog has skin problems, you should bathe the pooch every other day in a week using Curaseb. Upon lathering the shampoo, let it sit for a full 10 minutes. This is exactly what the manufacturer recommends to reap the full benefits of the product.
Just a reminder: this is a medicated shampoo so make sure that you ask the vet first.
PROS
✔️Contains Chlorhexidine which helps kill skin parasites
✔️Best for dogs with stinky skin problems
✔️Very affordable for a medicated shampoo
✔️Vet-approved
CONS
❌May not cure all skin issues
❌It has a pinkish color that may smear on towels if not rinsed properly
The best dog shampoo for odor is just one of the ways to get rid of the dog stink. Make sure that you remove all the shed fur, excreta, and dander on your home to finally kiss the smell goodbye.