A smelly dog: 6 causes and solutions

4. Allergies

Other common causes of smelly dogs are allergies. Environmental or food allergies can cause an inflammatory reaction in the skin which leads to excessive secretion of oil from certain glands in the skin, resulting in a musty and unpleasant odor.

In the case of a food allergy, poor nutrition can contribute to this condition and can also be the cause of other problems, such as yeast infections, which also emit a foul odor. These are often caused by a diet high in carbohydrates and processed foods. Does your dog have a food allergy or intolerance? Then it is important to find out which ingredient causes this reaction. Switching to a natural and protein-rich diet, free from the allergens your dog reacts to, can often help.

Riverwood dog foods are hypoallergenic and contain unique protein sources. These are protein sources to which only a small percentage (2%) are allergic. These foods are therefore especially suitable for many dogs with a food allergy or intolerance. You can find the full range of Riverwood hypoallergenic dog foods here.

Note: In the case of an environmental allergy (also called atopy), switching to different food is not useful. This is because the reaction is caused by external influences (for example, substances in the air). This hypersensitivity is often seasonal and can be compared to hay fever, as we humans know it. Food has no effect on a reaction caused by an environmental allergy and will therefore not relieve or cure the symptoms. It is therefore important to take your dog to the vet if you suspect an environmental allergy. A vet can take blood from the dog and perform an allergy screening so that a treatment plan can be made.

5. Ear infections

Allergies in pets can also manifest as an ear infection. Some dogs are more prone to ear infections due to their physical characteristics, such as dogs with long, floppy ears where moisture is more likely to remain. Dogs that swim often and whose ears are not properly dried afterward also tend to suffer more from recurring ear infections. A warm and moist environment in the ears is ideal for yeast and bacteria to settle and multiply quickly. Therefore, keep folds in the skin and ears clean and dry. Regularly check your dog's ears and dry them after swimming or bathing. Normal dirt in a dog's ears should not have an odor, but if you notice your dog shaking its head excessively, scratching its ears excessively, or detect a certain smell coming from your dog's ears, it's time to visit the vet.

6. Inflamed anal glands

All dogs have two small scent sacs located on either side of the dog's anus. These are a type of marking gland that fills with a certain substance to mark a dog's territory. This is also why dogs sniff the rear end of another dog when they meet. If the dog has a good, firm stool, the anal glands empty themselves. When these become blocked, for example due to prolonged diarrhea, the anal glands can become infected. Blocked anal glands release a foul-smelling discharge that easily sticks to the dog's coat. Blocked and thus inflamed anal glands are very painful for the dog. A symptom of blocked anal glands is when the dog drags its bottom across the floor (also called scooting). Other symptoms include excessive biting, licking, and scratching.

A vet can manually empty the anal glands, but more importantly, it is essential to work with the vet to determine the cause of the inflamed anal glands.

In short: most dog odors disappear after a bath. If you notice your dog emits a bad smell and you cannot remove the odor with a good bath, there may be an underlying health issue, such as a dental problem, excessive flatulence, a food or environmental allergy, an ear infection, or inflamed anal glands. In case of doubt, always contact a veterinarian.

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Do you want to switch to Riverwood and let your dog also enjoy our delicious foods? Answer here then answer a few questions, find out which variant suits your dog best, and order a discounted trial pack right away!