Do Dogs Stink When Losing Their Coats?

Owners often wonder why their dogs are so smelly. While odor can be caused by everything from poor-quality food to infections, shedding can also cause your dog to stink. Whether it's normal seasonal shedding or excessive shedding, a dog who's not properly groomed will have an odor. The good news is that you can remedy not only the odor but any excessive shedding your dog may be experiencing.

When dead hair is left to accumulate on your dog, it can cause an odor. Not only does the dead hair itself stink, but the loose hair can also clog the skin pores, preventing oils from being secreted. This can cause skin infections and also make the hair dry, causing even more hair to shed. It's a vicious cycle that can be remedied with proper grooming.

It's important to brush your dog daily for at least five minutes. Larger dogs, especially those with two coats, may take longer. Not only does brushing your dog daily improve the quality of the fur, but it also removes all the excess hair before it has time to cause a noticeable odor. In order to remove all the loose hair, you need to make sure you're using the right brush for your dog's coat.

You can soak your dog in a warm bath for five to 10 minutes to remove any loose hair, and use dog colognes and perfumes to mask any remaining odor. When brushing your dog to remove excess hair, you can also give your dog a dry bath using baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda on the dog's fur and brush out. The baking soda will absorb the odor. Baking soda will not harm your dog and can be used daily.

If your dog is shedding excessively, especially out of season, you can make changes to her diet to help. Switching to a higher-quality food that is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and has a high-quality source of protein can improve the health of your dog's skin and coat. You can also treat your dog with a monthly tablespoon of tuna (or a teaspoon for small dogs), which is a good source of fatty acids.