Why Do Dogs Stink When Wet?

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

There’s always a distinctive smell coming from your pooch after he gets wet. Have you ever wondered why dogs stink when they get wet?

You’ve just come in from the rain after having walked your now sopping-wet pooch. You enter the house, remove your boots, and stand back as he rigorously shakes all that wet away, and begins to wag his tail. While he’s a happy boy, you’re thinking “whoa, what on earth is that funky smell?” Well, that’s the smell of wet dog and until he has been thoroughly dried, he’s going to spread that dank scent throughout the house and onto any soft surfaces he cares to rub himself against.

Related:Best Dog Wipes

So, what causes that distinctive “wet dog” odor? It’s actually as bad as you’d think. It’s a stinky combo of microorganisms such as yeasts and bacteria that naturally occur deep down, on your dog’s skin and just settle in for the long haul. And, like most natural organism, they excrete volatile compounds (AKA poop). Just add a little water and what you have is the answer to why wet dogs stink. Yes, that odor is in fact a cocktail of reconstituted feces from those millions of microorganisms.

Now that you know what causes the smell, how do you prevent it from infiltrating your home, your car, and clothes? I mean, dogs will continue to jump in lakes, pools, get caught in rainstorms, run under hoses, and have baths, right?

There are a few tricks you can use to banish doggy smell, such as:

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

7 Spooktacular Halloween Safety Tips For Dogs

We love Halloween at PetGuide.com. But we''re also aware that for some dogs, it''s not fun. That''s why we put together these Halloween safety tips for dogs.

Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau cat''s intelligence and his unquestioned loyalty to his humans makes these irrepressible personable cats almost enchanting to be around.

Berger Picard

The Berger Picard is considered to be France''s oldest sheepdog. Like most breeds of sheepdog, they are lively, intelligent, vigilant and assertive.

Peach Faced Lovebird

Peach faced lovebird is perhaps the most popular pet choice amongst the Lovebird family, and with a good reason- it''s cute, social, and easy to care for!

Hawkfish

Hawkfish are species of saltwater fish closely related to the lionfish. They are characterized by their large heads and somewhat elongated, thick bodies.

Your Dog Will Have a Ball With the Pebby WiFi Toy

Play with your dog when you''re not around with Pebby. Track, monitor, and play with your furbaby from wherever you by funding this cool Kickstarter.

How To Choose The Best Type Of Leash For Your Dog

Not all dog leashes are made alike- these are the things you need to pay attention to when choosing a leash for your pet.

Bernedoodle

If you''re looking for a fluffy dog that will be a companion for life, look no further than the Bernedoodle. A hybrid of the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle.

Petco Officially Pulls All Made-in-China Treats From Shelves

Three cheers for Petco! They no longer sell any made in China pet treats, which could pose a health risk to our furry friends. As we reported last year, Pet…

Top 10 Cool Finds From SuperZoo 2013 – Part 1

Wow – it’s hard to believe that another SuperZoo has come and gone. We’re still recovering – there was so much to see and do, and…

J.M. Smucker Pet Food Recall for Euthanasia Drug Includes Gravy Train,

The FDA is alerting pet owners about potential pentobarbital contamination in certain canned dog foods manufactured by The J.M. Smucker Company.

Global Pet Expo: The Lazy Dog Supports Dogs On Deployment

We love to find companies that support great causes. There are no shortage of those, and one company we found especially touching is the Lazy Dog Cookie Co.

Plush Lop

The Plush Lop is a newer breed that can be divided into the standard size and the mini size. The coat of a Plush Lop is smooth, soft, and silky.

Mix It Up With A Charming Woof-Linx Collar

Your dog is never fully dressed without a collar – especially one that’s haute and hip! One of the easiest ways to accessorize your dog is with a…

Best Easter Goodies For Your Dog’s Basket

We can’t let our furry friends be left out of the egg-citement of Easter so here our are favorite holiday goodies just for your pup!