Dog Skin Odor – Skin and Coat
odor control : Skin and Coat
odor can usually be traced to one of three causes: oily skin, bacteria
or yeast present on the skin, or the dog rolled in something that
has a foul odor.
dogs just love dirt and smelly foul matter! They cannot resist rolling
in the most foul-smelling matter they can find – from dead fish
to animal droppings, to who-knows-what. Some dogs seem to simply
prefer a more odoriferous fragrance. If your dog rolled in something
disgusting or was sprayed by a skunk, your veterinarian can offer
advice on what shampoo would be the best for either situation.
Your dog’s skin is its largest organ and it’s an organ of elimination
– everything is forced out by the immune system. All perfectly normal!
The skin acts as a relief valve for this waste. Once the metabolic
debris has reached the skin the normal bacteria on the skin tries
to eliminate it. Problems occur when there is so much waste that
the ‘self cleaning’ mechanism is overwhelmed. The odor is caused
by the overabundance of decomposed waste matter left on the skin.
normal healthy conditions, a dog’s fur is self cleaning! The fur
has tiny upward facing scales that constantly move debris and dirt
away from the skin
skin of some dogs produce excess oils (an oily hair coat), which
can accumulate on the skin and become rancid. This condition is
called primary seborrhea and is evidenced by yellowish-brown scales
particularly at the elbows, hocks, and around the ears.
results in dry, flaky skin or greasy, foul-smelling skin (seborrhea
Dogs with primary seborrhea are usually treated with shampoos. Owners
often need to bathe their dogs two to three times a week with therapeutic
shampoos just to control the symptoms and try to prevent skin infections.
Unfortunately, skin infections occur, requiring treatment with antibiotics.
conditions allow the skin to become easily infected with bacteria
and yeast which further skin damage and increase the affected dog’s
in diet could be in order. The food you are using could result in
an excess of oil in the skin and coat. You can ask your vet to recommend
a food with a lower fat content.
vet can recommend a medicated shampoo with coal tar extracts. Let
the shampoo work for 10 minutes before rinsing. Do not wash too
frequently as oil glands will increase their output the more often
you bathe your dog.
skin diseases are more prevalent in certain dogs, and with bacteria
comes odor. Yeast infections of the skin can also cause odor.
shampoos, particularly those with a deodorizing agent added can
help control odor from bacteria. These formulations have ingredients
that kill the skin bacteria that are not washed away during rinsing.
shampoos such as those containing miconazole help to control yeast
infections on the skin. Vinegar rinses with equal parts of vinegar
and water can also help control yeast, although you dog now smells
just like a pickle!
is the common name for skin diseases due to parasitic Mites. It’s
serious and uncomfortable, ugly and smelly, but quickly gets better
with professional treatment from your vet.
usually treat mange by clipping, medicated baths, or sprays, as
well as oral medication or injections.
nutrition, in general, could be a solution. An addition of vitamins
and minerals and particularly biotin has been found to help dogs
you will likely be bathing your dog more often, use a fragrance-free
hypoallergenic shampoo in case your dog is trying to cover up the
fragrance you have selected with his choice of ‘natural perfumes’
such as dirt and smelly foul matter.
brushing and combing will help to promote good skin, remove odor-causing
material from the hair, as well as the oils that lead to odor, and
promote a healthy shiny coat.
– Pet Supplies Review