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

Do Cats Prefer More Nutritious Foods?

The more nutritious the food, the more satisfied the cat! For a well fed and happy kitty, choose more nutritious meals at mealtime.

Best Dog Ear Cleaners

Dog ear cleaners make it easy to keep your pooch tidy and healthy, and prevent painful ear infections. Read on to learn which of them work best!

How To Treat Flea Bites On Dogs

Save your pet from the suffering of a severe infestation. Take a bite out of pesky flea problems, as we go over ways to treat flea bites on dogs.

African Ringneck Parakeet

With its variety of fantastic personality traits and interesting appearance, it really is no wonder that the African Ringneck Parakeet is a popular pet.

FDA Approves Mirataz, A New Weight Loss Control Medicine For Cats

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Mirataz, a new drug for managing unintentional weight loss in cats.

Gingerbread Dog Treat Recipe

We’ve checked our list twice and found out we had a lot of dogs to buy for this Christmas. That’s why we whipped up a couple batches of these Gin…

Global Pet Expo 2017: Cool and Comforting Calming Collars

A new pet collar promises to calm your pet debuts at the Global Pet Expo, and it''s something we can wrap our heads around!

Ocicat

Neither a demanding or clingy cat, the Ocicat loves to be with his humans as much as possible and isn''t above nudging you for a bit of attention.

Hear Doggy! Martian Dog Toy Contest

We love how cute and quiet the Hear Doggy! Martian Dog Toys are. And that''s why we''re giving away a pair to one lucky dog in our very first dog toy contest!

Ready to Foster Cats? Here’s Some Advice From a Pro

If you''re ready to take the plunge and become a foster kitty mom, these amazing tips from a seasoned pro will help you out.

Yorwich

A rare designer dog breed, the charming Yorwich is a mix of purebred terriers. The breed was developed by breeding Yorkshire Terriers to Norwich Terriers.

Winter Training Tips: Getting Started In Skijoring

Skijoring is a team sport. You and your dog work together to get around a trail, tour the back country or glide across the snow on your local golf course.

Liam J. Perk Foundation: Dog Safety Awareness And Education For Famili

After an unthinkable tragedy, the Perk family transformed their sorrow into a foundation that educates parents and kids about living with dogs After darkness…

Global Pet Expo 2018: Dude! Carolina Pet Company Rolls Out The Big LeB

Carolina Pet is celebrating a 20-year-old cult classic with the release of its Big LeBARKski collection at this year''s Global Pet Expo.

Best Cat Ball Toys

Cats can go bouncy for balls! If your feline can''t get enough of them, here is our list of the best cat ball toys.