Pet Odor Removal: Dog Tips

If you own a dog, having professional carpet cleaning and pet odor removal services can get rid of the smells instantly, but that still leaves your with your dog rolling around in fecal matter, dirt, or (hopefully not!) roadkill. Taking care of your pet’s diet and maintaining proper grooming habits can make a world of difference in the smell of your dog and, therefore, the smell of your home.

The first thing to do is observe your dog and asses what is causing any foul smells. Some dogs naturally smell more than others and you might just have to get used to it. Google the breed of your dog and find out how much your dog should normally smell. However, many other factors can lead to bad odor including:

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  • Diet
  • Skin conditions like seborrhea or cheyletiella
  • Liver problems can cause a bad odor
  • Kidney problems can cause bad breath
  • Infected or swollen anal glands

Some of these will require a checkup with your veterinarian to find if the health of your dog is calling any odors. As your dog gets older she or he will probably start to smell more often. For now, here are some grooming habits to keep your dog smelling good and huggable.

Bathing

Obviously, if you haven’t washed your dog in a few weeks, he or she is going to have tons of dirt, bacteria, and, possibly, fecal matter. When you wash your dog, check for skin conditions and the health of the coat. Use a dog-safe shampoo (and conditioner if necessary for your dog’s coat) and follow these steps:

  • Rinse your dog from head to tail but avoid the inside of the ears. This can damage or cause infection to the ears.
  • Shampoo from the top of the neck to the tail (avoid eyes and ears).
  • Rinse again
  • BEFORE you dry your dog, let him or her shake the water off.
  • Dry your dog immediately

Wet dog smell happens from bacteria feeding on the dog’s skin. Most bacteria thrive in a warm, moist environment. So, getting your dog as dry as possible is important to keep that wet dog smell from proliferating.

Another good tip: After a bath, rub baby powder or baking soda on the coat. These products absorb odors and leave your dog smelling great.

Grooming

A few grooming habits can also keep dirt, bacteria, and fecal matter from lingering on your dog and smelling up your house.

  • Brush your dog’s coat daily—This will remove debris, dirt build-up, bacteria, etc. Use a wet comb to pick up more hair.
  • Brush teeth twice a week—Get a toothbrush that fits your dog’s mouth and a dog-approved toothpaste (you can even find meat flavored toothpaste). Lift up the lips and brush teeth for about a minute.
  • Wash all bedding—Place all bedding in a washing machine wash in cold water. Avoid softener because it can be harmful to a dog’s skin. Air dry bedding or use a dryer on low heat.

Diet and Flatulence

An underestimated cause of bad odors coming from you dog, diet can make all the difference in dog breath, flatulence, and bodily smell. Here are a view guideline when deciding on your dog’s diet:

    • Exercise is a huge part of a dog’s overall digestive health and limits flatulence.
    • Avoid soy products because they cause indigestion. Home cook meals or use high-quality dog food.
    • Most dogs are lactose intolerant so avoid feeding them cheese scraps or anything containing lactose.
    • Add carrots or high-quality dry food to keep your dogs teeth more clean.
    • Implement whole-grains like brown rice or buckwheat into your dog’s diet.
    • Avoid table scraps as they can pose a variety that is difficult for the dog’s digestive system to handle.

Try these out and find further methods to keep your pooch smell free from your vet. If your house has been smelling and you can’t handle it on your own call us for a professional odor removal and we’ll get your house fresh and odor free.