How Much Do Pugs Smell? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
With their goofy, Instagram-worthy smile and silly shenanigans, Pugs get away with a great deal of mischief. However, if you're an avid cuddler, you may have noticed that your snuggly Pug stinks! You don’t have to feel bad for thinking so—it’s actually normal. Pugs are known to be smelly pups, and there are a few reasons for that. If you’re interested in finding out more, including how you can control bad Pug odors, read on!
Why Do Pugs Smell Bad?
Pugs can smell bad for a whole laundry list of reasons, and some are more common than others. Check out each reason and work with your veterinarian to identify and address the underlying cause of your Pug's odor.
Skin Folds
The myriad skin folds on a Pug’s face and even body can harbor bacteria that break down trapped skin cells, debris, and moisture. These bacteria and yeast can overgrow and lead to skin infections (such as dermatitis) and malodorous discharge. Regularly clean your dog's skin folds, especially if they become moist or soiled. Messy eating can get food trapped in there, too, so watch for rogue bits in your Pug’s fur.
Skin Oils
Simply put, skin oils build up over time, and infrequent bathing or underlying skin conditions can contribute to odor. This is often manageable with a gentle, dog-appropriate bathing routine, though excessive bathing should be avoided to prevent skin barrier disruption. Use a mild, dog-specific shampoo, as human products can disrupt the skin’s normal pH and barrier function.
Yeast Infections
These typically happen around the face, skin folds, and ears, but they can occur anywhere. Yeast infections often present with redness, irritation, greasy or waxy discharge, and a characteristic odor on your Pug’s skin. These are commonly treated with topical antifungal medications, and in some cases, oral antifungal therapy, depending on severity and location.
Stinky Paws
Pugs love playing outside like any breed, and they pick up the weirdest stuff on their paws sometimes. It’s a good idea to wipe or rinse your Pug’s paws as needed after outdoor activity, which helps keep them smelling fresh for longer. A persistent odor may indicate microbial overgrowth and should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Fungal infections may require a special antifungal treatment, which a trusted vet can help you with.
Being in Heat
Female Pugs in heat can produce an odor associated with the normal reproductive cycle, including a bloody vaginal discharge. There really isn’t much to do about this aside from appropriate hygiene and management during estrus; spaying will prevent future heat cycles, but a vet can give you more specific information about caring for your dog during this time.
Dental Hygiene
Pugs’ mouths are uniquely shaped, and their brachycephalic skull structure and crowded teeth can predispose them to dental disease and bacterial buildup, which can contribute to bad odors, like foul doggy breath. Dental chews and treats like carrots may help reduce plaque accumulation to a limited extent, but there’s no substitute for regular tooth brushing with a dog-safe toothpaste. It’ll definitely do wonders for their bad breath and support overall dental health.
Gas
The dreaded dog farts are almost always because of a diet issue, though, rarely, a condition like IBS is the culprit. Regulating mealtimes and not feeding your dog table scraps will go a long way toward stopping offensive Pug farts, though diet composition and individual tolerance also play important roles.
How to Control Bad Pug Odors
Pugs might be stinkier than their photos imply, but that doesn’t mean you should quit on them. You have lots of options to keep your pup clean, happy, and healthy. Let’s review a few of these so you can get an idea of how to best mitigate your smelly Pug.
- Use gentle dog-specific shampoos. Pick ones that won’t harm your Pug’s natural skin oils, since they could suffer even worse skin issues as a result.
- Clean your Pug’s face folds and ears regularly to prevent moisture buildup and irritation. They can accumulate dust and other stuff quite fast!
- Dry your Pug completely after bath time. Nobody likes wet dog smell.
Final Thoughts
Pugs are one of the cuddliest dogs on the block, but they take work to stay fresh. At a bare minimum, regular baths and a regular wipedown of their skin folds will help keep them clean.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: A Life Pictures, Shutterstock
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Codee Chessher is a freelance writer whose motto is: there is nothing a well-worded sentence can't accomplish! He loves to write about pets, travel, DIY, and more. Codee's experience is varied, but the written word has always been his strongest and biggest passion.
