Can You Change The Smell Of A Dog?
The love for your pet is unconditional, but it is not able to ignore the aromas that its organism can give off. To make cuddles more enjoyable, there are simple ways to change a dog’s scent.
Each animal has its own characteristic aroma and cannot smell the same as a person. The natural composition of the body and hygiene habits are totally different, which generates its own odors in each species.
Choosing to live with a dog means learning to respect its innate characteristics. However, the unpleasant aroma of the animal can be a sign that its body is affected.
Methods can be applied to change a dog’s scent. But it is necessary to be attentive to the possible symptoms of a disorder and take it to the vet immediately.
What can cause a bad smell in a dog?
Many people believe that the bad smell of an animal is due to the poor quality of the grooming provided by its owner. However, many health problems have bad odor as a symptom of their evolution. Mainly when the unpleasant aroma is concentrated in a certain area.
In these cases, to change the smell of a dog, it is necessary to combat the pathology in its body and eradicate the causative agent.
4 disorders that cause bad smell in your pet
Otitis
This inflammation of the ear causes a foul smell near the ears. Its main causes are: viral, bacterial or fungal infections, allergies and accommodation of foreign bodies in the auditory cavity.
Otitis externa (inflammation of the outer area of the ear) is the most common disorder in dogs. Pendulous-eared breeds, such as Cocker Spaniels, Labradors, and Basset Hounds, are most commonly affected by otitis.
Otitis usually progresses rapidly and develops more serious conditions. This is the case of reaching the eardrum, causing irreversible damage to the health of the animal.
Skin conditions
In addition to itching, wounds and inflammation, skin conditions often cause a bad smell throughout the animal’s body. The most frequent cases are skin infections and allergies. The main causes are bacterial infections, allergies or an unbalanced diet.
Flatulence
The accumulation of gases can be a sign of a poor diet, excessive food intake or a respiratory, stomach or intestinal disorder. It is essential to consult a veterinarian in case the dog releases a lot of gas.
Oral hygiene
Dogs can suffer from problems in their oral health, especially if there is a large accumulation of tartar on the teeth and gums. Halitosis (bad breath) can be caused by poor diet, digestive system problems, or poor oral hygiene.
How to change the smell of a dog?
With the possibility of a disease ruled out, one of the following 4 simple methods can be chosen to change a dog’s scent:
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Regularly brush his coat
The accumulation of dead hairs can cause a bad smell in the animal’s body. Therefore, it is recommended to brush your pet’s coat weekly and choose the type of brush indicated for its hair.
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Bathrooms in necessary quantity and good drying
Over-bathing your pet can remove the natural fat litter (bait) that envelops and protects its body.
Instead of improving hygiene, excessive bathing worsens the odor and leaves the animal more vulnerable. It is advisable to bathe a dog 1 or 2 times a month.
After bathing, it is essential to dry the animal’s hair well. Moisture can contribute to the proliferation of fungi and cause a bad odor in the body. Ideally, use a hair dryer, taking care so that the noise does not scare the animal.
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Mouth and ear hygiene
Mouth and ears are constantly exposed to dirt in the environment and come into contact with various microorganisms. Poor hygiene can cause bad odor and leave the animal more vulnerable to various conditions.
For the ears, weekly cleaning with clean gauze on the outer parts of the ear and the beginning of the ear canal is recommended.
For the mouth, the ideal is to brush the animal’s teeth 2 to 3 times a week. And do it using only products suitable for animal use.
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Balanced diet
A poor diet can cause malnutrition, disease and a lot of bad smell in your pet’s mouth. A good balanced food should be chosen, according to the age and size of the animal. Also, avoid introducing cooked or industrialized foods into the diet.
In short: to change the smell of a dog it is necessary to pay attention to its health and its diet. You also have to maintain smart hygiene habits for hair, ears and mouth.
