Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why Does My Dog’s Skin Smell Bad and Itch? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

red head girl holding smelly dog

Your dog’s skin can be a useful indication of their overall health. If you have noticed that your dog’s skin is itchy and smells abnormal, then there is probably something wrong. A healthy dog’s skin should be smooth and free from rashes, growths, or scabbing and with no foul odor. Although it’s normal for dogs to scratch occasionally, it shouldn’t be excessive.

If you’re noticing the opposite, then this article will discuss possible reasons for your dog’s smelly and itchy skin.

Dogster_Website dividers_v1_Jan 18 2024-01-TEST

The 6 Reasons Behind Your Dog’s Smelly and Itchy Skin

There are various reasons your dog may have smelly and itchy skin, such as allergies, poor nutrition, parasites, and infections.

1. Skin Allergies

Dog with irritated red eyes suffering from something allergy
Image Credit: Tatiane Silva, Shutterstock

If your dog has itchy skin, it can be a sign of skin allergies. There are several culprits for skin allergies in dogs, including their food or environment. Your dog could be allergic to certain ingredients in their food which can lead to changes to their skin. They may be itchy and have inflamed patches along with recurrent ear infections.

Furthermore, environmental allergens like mold and pollen could be triggering your dog’s skin allergies. You may notice significant changes to their skin along their paws, faces, and bellies. Those areas of their body might be inflamed, itchy, and flaky.

You might start noticing that their skin smells bad, specifically in the areas where they itch the most. This is because their excessive itching can damage their skin, potentially leading to infections.


2. Poor Nutrition

If your dog is fed an unbalanced diet with poor nutritional value, their skin may reflect this. Nutritional deficiencies can have a major effect on a dog’s skin and coat. Dogs need protein, fatty acids, and several vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy skin and coat.

If their diet is not giving them the nutrients they need, you may notice changes to their skin like depigmentation, dryness, or crustiness. They might also be more susceptible to certain skin infections which could cause their skin to smell.


3. Parasites

small dog with generalized demodectic mange
Image Credit: Todorean-Gabriel, Shutterstock

Parasites such as fleas and mites can cause dogs to scratch excessively, amongst other signs. Their intense scratching could lead to wounds where bacteria and yeast can grow and cause a bad smell.

Dogs can be allergic to flea bites when their immune system reacts to the flea’s saliva, making the bites incredibly itchy. Some dogs are particularly sensitive to flea bites and can experience intense itchiness even if there are only one or two bites.

Mange is a skin condition caused by parasitic mites that can cause dogs to scratch excessively. There are two types of mange, namely demodectic and sarcoptic mange. Both types can cause dogs to experience severe itchiness that can lead to fungal or bacterial infections. Skin inflammation, hair loss, and crustiness are other signs a dog could have mange.


4. Yeast infections (Malassezia dermatitis)

Malassezia dermatitis is a yeast or fungus that can make dogs feel itchy and uncomfortable. Yeast is a normal skin inhabitant but can reproduce unchecked with certain immune conditions, medications, or more commonly in certain breeds. The infection can either be localized or generalized with itchy, scaly, and inflamed skin. They also typically have a smell similar to sour milk. If left untreated, the infected skin could become thickened and darkened.

You can usually tell if a dog has yeast dermatitis by the smell alone, but a veterinarian will need to take a skin scraping to definitively diagnose.


5. Bacterial infections (Staphylococcus spp.)

dog with skin allergy
Image Credit: fetrinka, Shutterstock

Staphylococcus (staph) infections are common causes of secondary skin infections in dogs. Similar to yeast, small amounts of Staphylococcus are normally found in dogs. However, when a dog’s skin barrier or immune system weakens, the bacteria can overgrow and cause an infection. A dog’s skin barrier can weaken from inflammation, swelling, or wounds created when they scratch or gnaw at their itchy skin.

Most signs of staph infections are superficial and cause rashes, itchiness, redness, and crusty, moist skin. More severe staph infections can cause additional issues such as fevers or lethargy. Staph infections can give dogs a noticeable sweet or fruity smell that can be overpowering.


6. Canine Seborrhoea

Canine seborrhoea or seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disease caused by abnormal sebum secretion. The result is scaly, itchy, flaky skin, especially in the skin folds. They may also smell due to a build-up of oils on their skin or from a secondary infection. It has several causes, which can be genetics or related to allergies, hormone imbalances, infections, and dietary issues.

Dogster_Website dividers_v1_Jan 18 2024-03

What Can You Do?

If you are dealing with a smelly and itchy dog, it is best to book an appointment with a veterinarian to have them checked out. It’s not normal for dogs to itch excessively and develop an unpleasant odor, so medical attention is usually necessary.

A veterinarian will help find the underlying cause for your dog’s itchy, smelly skin and then discuss a suitable treatment. A nice-smelling shampoo or more frequent bathing is usually not going to fix the underlying issue. You need to address the reason for your dog’s skin problems if you want to help alleviate their itchiness and bad smell.

Possible treatments include antibiotics, topical ointments, and environmental and dietary changes. Some dogs may need multiple treatments to help manage their signs and to treat different conditions. For example, dogs with canine seborrhoea may need to be treated for an underlying hormonal balance, too.

A vet will be able to advise you on the best course of action to ensure the well-being of your pet.

Did you know you can talk to a vet online? Click on the image or button below to schedule a call: PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1


Dogster_Website dividers_v1_Jan 18 2024-03

Final Thoughts

Although a dog’s skin is not odorless, it shouldn’t smell noticeably bad. They also shouldn’t scratch excessively. This is an indication that something is not right, and you should have them checked out by a veterinarian. Dogs could have itchy and smelly skin for several reasons, and a veterinarian can help determine why your dog is experiencing skin issues and what treatments would work for them.


Featured Image Credit: UfaBizPhoto, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

2 Responses

  1. My puppy is a pitbull breed about 16 weeks old. His skin has a red rash that seems to become worse w itching and biting and has a noticeable odor

    1. Hi Kimberly, I'm sorry to hear about your puppy. It’s very common for skin issues to start as something mild and gradually worsen if they go untreated. The initial itching (which could be due to one of the causes described in the article) makes your pup scratch and bite himself, further irritating the skin, causing injuries and leading to secondary infections, which in turn worsen the itching. This creates an itch-scratch cycle that should be interrupted as soon as possible.

      We recommend contacting your veterinarian promptly to break this cycle, identify the root cause, and implement an effective treatment to help your puppy feel better as soon as possible and prevent further complications.
      Additionally, we have an online vet service, PangoVet where you can book an appointment to speak to one of our experienced vets, who can guide you on the best plan of action for your pup. You can book a time that is convenient for you at this link here https://pangovet.com/schedule-appointment/. Hope this helps!

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How Long Do Teacup Chihuahuas Live? Vet-Verified Average Lifespan, Data & Care

Chihuahuas are a popular dog breed known for their feisty attitudes and the strong bonds they form with their owners. They’re pretty small,...

4 Types of Rottweiler Dog Breeds: An Overview (With Info & Pictures)

While every country has its most popular breeds, perhaps no dog is more universally beloved than the Rottweiler. Affection, devotion, and a square...

Dog Kennels vs. Crates: Vet-Verified Differences (With Info & Pictures)

Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy, you have an old dog, or anything in between, we all know that finding ways to...

Do Heating Pads Help With a Dog’s Arthritis? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Arthritis is quite common in older dogs. If you understand the pain and discomfort that the ailment can inflict, you may wonder whether...

More related

Frenchton Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care, & Facts

The Frenchton or Faux Frenchbo Bulldog is another example of the slew of designer dogs. And we can guarantee you that this dog...

Why Does My Dog Steal My Blanket? 5 Possible Reasons & Tips

Dogs tend to have a mind of their own, yet they are extremely impressionable. They are great at listening to directions when trained,...

Café Au Lait Poodle: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

Poodles are one of the most popular dog breeds and are known for their curly hair. Poodles come in a variety of sizes...

Adventure Medical Kits – Vet in a Box Dog Product Review 2025: An Expert’s Breakdown

What Is Vet in a Box Medical Kit? How Does It Work? Your dog loves going everywhere with you: hiking, camping, traveling, or...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Gravy? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Alternatives

Gravy can seem like a treat that many dogs can enjoy. Gravies are often meat-based, and many dogs lap them up enthusiastically. However, it’s generally not recommended for dogs to eat gravy because it can contain harmful ingredients, and it...

Can Dogs Eat Gravy

Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

According to the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), cauliflower is the 16th most popular vegetable based on 2022 retail sales.1 After all, you can enjoy it in so many ways, whether as a rice substitute, raw, or in the various...

Can Dogs Eat Cauliflower

Can Dogs Eat Onions? Vet-Verified Toxicity & Safety Tips

Dogs are often indiscriminate about what they eat, so we have to be careful with what types of snacks and table scraps we feed them, as they may contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs. One common food to avoid...

Can Dogs Eat Onions

Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but you may think it’s the best one, too. Whether you’re chowing down on pancakes, bacon, oatmeal, or eggs, it’s hard not to love this meal. However, what’s a...

Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch

How to Stop My Cat from Eating Dog Food? 7 Expert Tips & Tricks

Do you often observe your cat stealing your dog’s precious kibble? This isn’t an unusual behavior in cats, as they tend to live under the assumption that they rule the roost. Whether your cat is hungry, or simply committing a...

Cat paws in a bowl of delicious dry cat food

Ethoxyquin in Dog Food: Why Is It Controversial? Vet-Verified Facts

Dog owners, brace yourselves! The food your beloved canine companion eats on a daily basis might contain a controversial ingredient – ethoxyquin. This synthetic antioxidant, commonly used as a preservative in dog food, has sparked heated debates among pet enthusiasts...

man checking dog food label

11 Best Puppy Foods for German Shepherds in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you are the proud owner of a brand-new German Shepherd (GSD) puppy, you are in for a unique, frustrating, and exciting time! A large part of owning any pet is finding them the right food so they can thrive,...

german shepherd puppy eating dry food outdoors

Health Benefits of Peanut Butter for Dogs: 6 Vet-Approved Advantages

Is there anything dogs love more than peanut butter? Well, maybe a few things, but peanut butter is likely in the top three things dogs love most! After all, peanut butter is delicious and fun to eat since it’s messy...

Cute puppy eating peanut butter from a spoon