Unlike cats, dogs have their own quite specific smell, the intensity of which depends not only on the characteristics of the breed, but also on the quality of care of the animal. But, first of all, you need to find out the cause of the unpleasant smell, and even better – to prevent it. And that’s what we’ll talk about next.
Why does the bad smell of a dog appear??
There are usually only 3 reasons for this phenomenon: poor care, poor nutrition, and disease. Yes, indeed, the “odoriness” of a dog often depends on its breed, but in most cases the responsibility for the smell lies on the shoulders of the owner of the pet, who deprives his pet of sufficient hygiene procedures. Runny eyes, dirty ears, unwashed hair or poorly chosen grooming products can all contribute to unpleasant odors.
It is important to provide your dog with quality and regular care. Bathe the pet regularly – an indoor pet should be bathed every 4-6 weeks, an outdoor pet every 6-8 weeks. Doing this more often is not advisable, as it can upset the skin and fat balance. The choice of a suitable shampoo must be made very carefully.
Please note: Human grooming products are not suitable for domestic fluffies, as their acidity is different from that in shampoos for animals. Don’t opt for the cheapest products; they often dry out the dog’s skin, confuse the coat and don’t wash out all the dirt either. It won’t hurt to buy a special formula that will help restore the coat’s structure and remove unwanted odors.
Brush his ears and teeth regularly. Dirty dog ears do not smell the most pleasant way. In addition, a persistent unpleasant odor, not unlike a wax odor, can indicate an inflammatory process. Brushing a dog’s teeth is not a luxury but a necessity, as you can have more odor coming out of his mouth than his fur. We can treat it with a special brush or give it dog toys and treats. Ask your vet for help in removing tartar.
It is important to provide a nutritious, balanced diet: it is important to establish a strict regimen for the dog, give quality food suitable to the breed. No “yummy treats” from the table are allowed, and eating out is also not allowed. This can lead to coat, skin, gastrointestinal problems and other “joys.
Important. Unpleasant odors can be particularly strong in the summer months, which is due to the simple fact that dogs are hot. The pet can’t shed its fur, so bathing (as well as combing) should be done more often than in other seasons.
Sometimes dog odor can manifest itself as a symptom of an illness. Pay special attention to this point if the odor appears all of a sudden. You can’t identify the cause of the smell yourself because it can be dermatitis, otitis media, stomach and intestinal problems, dental problems, hormonal imbalances or even cancer. In this case a trip to the vet is a sensible solution.
Preventive measures
Preventing the problem is always easier than fighting the consequences. This rule is also true in this case.So, how to ensure your home is clean and free of unpleasant dog odor:
Wash the pet regularly using a special veterinary composition at least once every 2 months. Drying the dog is a must. After bathing your pet you should dry it with a hair dryer or a microfiber towel (it will quickly absorb the moisture).
Wash your dog’s feet, muzzle, belly and under-tail area after each walk. Particularly sensitive owners can buy a veterinary deodorant for the pet.
Comb the pet regularly, removing excess undercoat that accumulates moisture, bacteria, and unpleasant odor.
Carefully and regularly clean the dog’s ears, nails, teeth, rinse his eyes at the slightest hint of sourness. If you find suspicious changes in the appearance and behavior of the dog, contact the veterinarian.
Trim the area under the tail (if there is excess hair in this area) to prevent dirt and fecal particles from sticking to the coat. Trimming is the removal of the unwanted undercoat with a trimming knife. Conducted exclusively by a master groomer.
Make sure he has a balanced diet. Whether it is special food or natural products – everything depends on the breed, the specific organism of the individual animal and the wishes of the owner of the pet.
Provide regular and quality walks for the dog – the animal needs to dump its excess energy and cope with its natural needs, so that it does not do this at home.
Use special formulas to remove the results of the dog (vinegar, citric acid, rubbing alcohol are good alternatives to ready-made remedies).
Regularly clean/wash dog bedding, thoroughly wash pet toys, food bowl. Washing powder can be used to treat the dog’s place only if the pet is not allergic. Laundry soap and a scrubbing brush are not a bad alternative.
Clean the apartment regularly – paying special attention to the room where the dog lives. This room should definitely be vacuumed a couple of times a week. And don’t forget to wet-clean once a week with a disinfectant. Wipe the floor with a mild vinegar solution after cleaning it. Use ammonia alcohol on the furniture, or a weak vinegar solution on the floor, just like on the floor.
Effective ways to remove doggie odor from rooms
Preventing unpleasant odor is good, but if it has already appeared, more drastic measures will have to be taken. How you can quickly and effectively remove dog smell in the apartment? We have selected the most affordable and effective methods.
Removing odors from carpets and furniture
Can this be done without using expensive chemicals? Absolutely, yes:
Baking sodaUsed undiluted. Apply a generous amount of baking soda powder to the “smelly” area of furniture or carpeting. Leave it on for a few hours (three to five is enough). Then remove with a dry clean cloth or vacuum accordingly.
Manganese– A mild manganese solution (must not contain any granules) is excellent for neutralising bad smells. Apply the compound thoroughly to an area of the carpet or furniture. Do not rinse.
Vinegar solution– Vinegar diluted in a 1:1 ratio with water. Ready mixture to apply to the soiled area of the carpet or piece of furniture. Allow it to dry. You can repeat the procedure several times if needed. For convenience, you can use a spray gun.
Iodine solution– This product is ideal for treating furniture. Add 15 drops of iodine to 1 liter of warm water. Stir thoroughly. Dip a clean cloth into the resulting composition, wring out thoroughly and go over the wooden surface. Then wipe it dry.
Household soap– If it’s upholstered furniture, you can make do with laundry soap (only high-quality, real laundry soap will do). Finely grate a suitable piece of soap, dissolve it in a small amount of warm water. Apply the resulting porridge in a thick layer on the “smelly” area of the furniture, leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.
Lemon juice or lemon peel– A freshly squeezed lemon juice on a clean cloth or fresh lemon peel can be used to thoroughly wipe a carpet surface. After about 15-20 minutes, dab the treated area with a clean, damp cloth.
Removing the odor in the room
To your attention the simplest and most effective ways to remove dog odor:
Corn starch– Pour a generous amount of corn starch on the floor, leave it for 4-5 hours. It will perfectly absorb unpleasant odors. After a certain period of time, thoroughly vacuum the area treated with starch.
Fresh apples– The recipe for their use is simple: cut a sufficient number of apples and put them cut side down on the smelly area of the room. Leave it on for several hours.
Essential oils– you can choose absolutely any oil (to your liking). Enough 4-5 drops added to the sprayer with warm water. With the resulting fragrant mixture treat the entire room – an empty space, carpeting or bare floor, curtains, etc. This is not only a way to remove the unpleasant smell, but also to disinfect the room.
Special formulas from the veterinary drugstore– We’re talking about products designed to eliminate organic odors. Such compositions do not mask, but completely eliminate harmful microorganisms that create bad odor. Important: These products are safe for humans and pets alike.
