Why Does My Dog Still Smell Bad After a Bath?

One of the best ways to tell if your dog needs to be bathed is if you notice your dog carrying around an unpleasant odor. Perhaps you took the time to bathe your dog, only to find that your pup still smells bad after the bath is complete.

So, if it wasn’t a need for a bath, what exactly could be causing these bad smells? Here’s some information from a team of dog groomers in Henderson, NV about some of the issues that could be troubling your dog:

• Ear infections: If a dog has developed a bacterial infection in its ears, this can result in a very bad odor that cannot be resolved simply by bathing. In fact, water getting in the dog’s ears can make the problem worse. Fortunately, ear infections are common issues for dogs that can be addressed by taking your dog to the vet and getting the proper medication to apply to the ears. The vet will also likely instruct you to keep the dog’s ears dry during baths.
• Bad breath: Bad breath can be a result of dental diseases. If the dog has decaying teeth or gum infections, this can result in a bad odor, especially if the dog is also drooling a lot. It might take a little bit of time to realize the odor is actually coming from your dog’s mouth. In some cases, you might need to extract damaged or decaying teeth, but medication for gum infections or professional teeth cleanings are also options. There are other causes of perpetual bad breath in dogs outside of dental diseases, though. Dogs that have significant health problems can occasionally experience bad breath as a symptom. Examples of these problems include kidney failure and diabetes. Again, it’s important to have a vet check your dog over to determine the root of the problem. The vet may prescribe doggy toothpaste or specific types of chew toys or treats.
• Skin inflammation: Dogs that have inflamed skin or flared-up skin allergies often release excess oils, which can quickly start to smell bad and generate more body odor. If you believe this to be the issue, it’s a good idea to cover your furniture with blankets or towels to prevent the transfer of this smell, until you’re able to get the issue resolved. Special shampoos and conditioners can help to deal with skin inflammations.
• Anal glands: Even normal secretions from the anal marking glands and sacs can smell very bad, but if those sacs become infected, the odor becomes almost unbearable. These secretions can spread to the dog’s fur, which can result in the dog carrying around the odor with it everywhere it goes.

These are just a few of the reasons your dog might still be smelly after a bath. For more information about potential issues and how you can address them with your dog, contact an experienced dog groomer in Henderson, NV at The Soggy Dog. We can help you get your dog looking, feeling and smelling its best again!

Categorised in: Dog Grooming in Henderson

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