How to Clean a Smelly Dog: 6 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks

One of the biggest perks of dog ownership is having an on-demand snuggle buddy until they start stinking anyway. Funky odors can develop on almost any dog. Some pups are naturally prone to smelliness, while others love nothing more than rolling around in dirt piles and garbage.

No matter how much you love your dog, the odor can eventually become enough for anyone to think twice about letting their pet back in the house. Pet odors may be tricky to avoid, but that doesn’t mean you should tolerate them.

If your pup’s odor issues have you scratching your head with one hand and plugging your nose with the other, check out these tips and tricks to clean your smelly dog and keep them fresh at all times.

Product Recommendations

Various tough, effective, pet-friendly options are available for keeping your pet and home fresh and odor-free, and these happen to be our top picks. If you want an all-natural enzyme cleaner, our favorite is the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. It does an excellent job of successfully lifting set-in stains and odors the first time without odor masking. If you're searching for a simple and safe solution to clean your dog while on the go, then well-formulated wipes like Hepper's Wash Wipes are our recommendation.  The Hepper Pet Shampoo products are a great place to start because of their all-natural, pet-safe formula that is pH balanced for your pet's skin. 

At Dogster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

The 6 Tips for Cleaning a Smelly Dog

Dog odors can come from several places beyond their coat, including their mouths, ears, and anal glands. While we tend to think, “Oh, they need a bath” when bad smells emerge, a comprehensive and well-timed grooming routine can snuff out the source of most doggy odors.

If any of these steps are new to you and your dog, start slow and build up their tolerance for the routine. Many of these chores can stress and agitate dogs, which can become challenging and dangerous to perform. Keep every experience positive by rewarding calm behavior with treats and gradually introducing your dog to each step.

1. Bathe Your Dog in a Gentle Dog-Friendly Shampoo

The bathing frequency of dogs varies depending on their breed and activity level, as well as your preferences. Some will need weekly baths, while others will do fine being bathed a few times a year. Bathing more often is necessary if your dog frequently plays in filth, but you must be careful with how and when you do it.

Bathing your dog too much can cause their skin to dry, due to stripping their natural oils, which leaves them open to secondary problems like flakey skin and infections. Meanwhile, using the wrong shampoo can disrupt their skin’s pH, causing adverse reactions and irritation that can further allow for yeast or bacterial infections.

Always use dog-specific products to leave your dog’s skin softer, more nourished, and smelling delightful. Rinse your dog thoroughly, and massage the shampoo into their body. You can also use a curry brush to work it into the coat, massaging the skin and loosening hair and old skin cells.

2. Dry Your Dog Thoroughly

Are you wondering why your dog stinks only a few days after bathing? If your routine and the products you use are practical for your dog, the problem might be how you dry them. Moist environments are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause those unique dog odors.

Ensure your dog leaves the bath completely dry before letting them loose in the house. Keep two or three absorbent towels ready after bathing to pat your dog dry, or speed things up with a blow dryer. If your dog is comfortable with it, set the hairdryer to the lowest setting and keep it several inches from their coat. Sweep it smoothly over the body until it is thoroughly dried.

3. Clean Your Dog’s Ears Weekly

Your dog’s ears will smell as bad as the rest of their body when you leave them alone for too long. Excess wax, trapped dirt, and ear infections can all cause foul odors and considerable discomfort. Some breeds need more attention, such as Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and other droopy-eared dogs, as they are more prone to waxy buildups and infections.

Generally, you should check your dog’s ears every week and clean them at least once a month. You can clean your dog’s ears at home with drops or sprays, and ear wipes make washing and deodorizing extra convenient.

Excess hair may also need cutting to prevent infections and keep the ears from trapping moisture and wax that cause a recurring smell.

4. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth At Least 3 Times Weekly

As with people, tooth brushing is an essential part of a dog’s daily routine and a crucial help in reducing nasty mouth odors. But unlike us, they also have several products to keep their teeth in good shape.

Dental sticks and chews can be fun ways for your dog to work out their jaw and scrub away plaque buildup. Alternatively, dental wipes can conveniently eliminate nasty breath.

None of these products replace the need to brush regularly with dog toothpaste, but they can play a vital role in maximizing your dog's dental health.

5. Brush Your Dog At least Once Weekly

Your dog’s hair brushing needs will vary based on their breed and cut, but virtually every dog demands some level of upkeep. Some need brushing only once weekly (if that), while others should have daily sessions, especially during the heavy fall and spring shedding seasons.

Old hair and fur hold onto dirt and bacteria, causing an ungroomed dog to retain smells for longer. Frequent brushing with appropriate brushes, de-shedders, and combs will keep your dog’s coat and skin healthy and odor-free while preventing excessive fur from finding its way around your home.

6. See an Expert

If your dog's suffering from an underlying health issue or physical condition causing their persistent bad smell, you need help from an expert. A vet can assess your dog’s odor issues to rule out infections and other causes, giving you medications and treatment advice to solve the problem.

Groomers and vets may also help with anal gland expression to relieve the impaction that can cause the tell-tale fishy aroma.

If you have a question about your dog's health or behavior, why not Ask a Vet for free? Our veterinary team answers reader questions and provides trusted advice to help you better understand your dog.

Tricks for Keeping Your Dog Smelling Clean

You can’t always expect your dog to remain odor-free between bathing and grooming sessions. Try these quick and easy tricks to keep your dog clean at all times.

1. Keep the Dog Wipes Handy

On-the-fly cleaning is easiest with dog wipes. The moisturized disposable sheets use a hypoallergenic cleaning formula that can clean your dog’s entire body.

Work from the head down and cover every part of the body, from the neck to the tail to the paws. Scrubbing against the coat can get under the hair to dislodge dirt, replacing grime with a pleasant, subtle scent.

2. Clean Your Dog’s Bedding

A bath will only do so much if your dog immediately plops down on an unwashed dog bed. Rather than let your dog trade odors with their belongings and pick up old smells, clean their bedding as part of their weekly grooming routine.

Wash their bedding, toys, and blankets, and wipe down their crate and trays with a cleaning spray.

3. Clean Your Dog’s Food and Water Bowls Daily

Dog dishes on the floor will unsurprisingly capture bacteria that can eventually find their way into your dog’s mouth. Help prevent illness by cleaning your dog’s food bowl after every meal and water bowl at the end of the day.

4. Invest In Good Pet Products

Having the right products on hand will ensure you can combat messes or odors as soon as they happen.

Conclusion

Cleaning a smelly dog does not rank high on anyone’s list of favorite chores, but the results always make the effort worthwhile. Nobody wants to shun their dog for an off-putting odor. By following these simple tips and tricks to clean your smelly dog, you can welcome them back into your life (and your living room) with open arms.

Featured Image By: Max4e Photo, Shutterstock