Dog odor is a common problem that needs to be solved promptly. Odors may come from the dog's skin, mouth, ears, anal glands and other parts. These odors will not only affect the dog's quality of life, but may also cause trouble to the dog's living environment. Therefore, understanding the causes and solutions to dog odor is crucial to maintaining your dog’s health.

Oral problems

Causes

Eating problems:

If your dog often eats foods high in fat and sugar, or food residues are left between the teeth, it may cause bad breath. .

Oral diseases:

Inflammation of the dog’s gums, tartar and calculus, or tumors and ulcers in the mouth are also important causes of bad breath.

Gastrointestinal problems:

Dogs have weak gastrointestinal digestion, or have gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastritis, etc. The odor coming back from the gastrointestinal tract is also one of the sources of bad breath.

Other diseases:

Liver and kidney problems, respiratory problems or other internal diseases, diabetes and other diseases may also cause bad breath in dogs.

Anal gland problems

Anal glands mainly secrete fluid to lubricate the anus, and also emit odor and attract the opposite sex. Due to lack of exercise and weak leg muscles, some dogs cannot allow the anal gland fluid to be discharged naturally, causing accumulation and obstruction of the gland fluid, causing inflammation and emitting odor.

Squeeze the anal glands regularly:

It is recommended to squeeze the anal glands once or twice a month to prevent the accumulation of anal gland fluid. When squeezing, gently pinch the gland position with your thumb and index finger, squeeze from the inside out, with moderate strength, and repeat several times. After squeezing, it is best to bathe the dog directly to clean it thoroughly.

Medical treatment:

If your dog’s anal glands have become inflamed or infected, you should seek medical treatment promptly and receive professional treatment to prevent further deterioration of the condition.

Skin problems

Causes of skin problems

Bacterial or fungal infections: Dogs’ skin is susceptible to bacterial or fungal attacks, especially when the skin has When it is damaged or has weak resistance. These microorganisms multiply on the skin, causing infection and producing an unpleasant odor.

Allergies or endocrine disorders: Dogs may be allergic to certain foods, environmental substances, or chemicals, leading to skin inflammation and infection. In addition, endocrine disruption may also affect skin health and increase the risk of infection.

Skin fold problem: Some dog breeds, such as bulldogs, etc., have more skin folds, which can easily trap dirt and bacteria. Bacteria can easily breed in these places, causing infection and producing odor.

Ear canal infection

Dogs can become infected with bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc. due to wet ears or improper cleaning. These microorganisms multiply in the ears. It can even cause itching in the dog's ears, causing the dog to frequently shake his head and scratch his ears, which can damage the ear canal, cause infection, and emit an unpleasant odor.

Clean your dog’s ears regularly: Use pet-specific ear cleaning solution or cotton swabs to clean your dog’s ears regularly to keep the ear canal dry and clean. Be careful to avoid using products that are too harsh or contain alcohol when cleaning to avoid aggravating the infection.

Avoid water entering the ears: When bathing, swimming or getting wet in the rain, pay attention to protect the dog’s ears to avoid water entering. If your dog's ears get water, use a clean cotton swab or gauze to absorb the water immediately.

See a doctor promptly: If your dog’s ears are infected, you need to seek medical treatment promptly and choose appropriate treatment drugs according to the cause of the infection.