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

Betta Splenden

Betta Splenden fish are one of the hardiest species of freshwater aquarium fish and are an incredibly popular mainstay among hobbyists.

Take A Close Look – Study Shows That Dogs Look Like Their Owners

Scientists have finally uncovered just what it is that makes dogs look like their owners. Turns out, it’s all in the eyes. Sadahiko Nakajima, a psychol…

The Jolly Jet-Setter’s Holiday Guide For Boarding Your Dog

Indispensable tips to ensure your pooch is happy and safe while you’re away for holidays The holidays are upon us, and not everyone will be spending th…

Nutmeg, the Oldest Cat in the World Dies Aged 32

Nutmeg will be sadly missed by his owners Liz and Ian Finley, but Nutmeg certainly had a long life. He has recently passed away aged 32 years old!

Pacu

Pacu fish are a large family of freshwater fish related to the piranha. While some species look like piranhas, they are herbivores and are peaceful fish.

Illiger’s Macaw

If youre looking for a cheeky little friend for a lifetime, then the Illigers macaw is a great choice with their 60-year lifespan.

Product Review: Solvit Dog Ramp

Senior dogs can find it hard to get in and out of cars. A perfect solution is Solvit''s Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp, which makes road trips easy again.

Rotterman

The Rotterman is a cross between a purebred Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher. These dogs can be trained to work with police and with the military.

How to Tell If Your Cat Has an Ear Problem

If your cat''s been scratching at her ears, she may be trying to tell you something. Watch for these symptoms of ear infections.

2014 Dog New Year’s Resolutions

New Year''s Resolutions feel like an impossible to-do list and we give them up quickly. But would you be more likely to keep them if they involved your dog?

Grammy-Winning Violinist Shows Cool Cats Love Classical Music [Video]

A Grammy-winning violinist''s consideration of strays along an animated street has music fans all over the world seeing the street kitties in a new light.

Japanese Spitz

Imagine a small white dog with a thick white coat and a fluffy tail - that is the image of a Japanese Spitz. These little dogs are the ideal companion pet.

Ask the Hairy DogFathers: Pet Sitting Predicament

What do you do for a friend who''s house and dog sitting while you''re away? The Hairy Dogfathers have a couple of tips for pet-sitting etiquette.

Boston Yorkie

The parents of Boston Yorkie are two purebred dogs, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boston Terrier. Read on to find out all about these rare designer breed!

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Google

Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Google, a charming 9 years old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Dachshund mix from Washoe Valley, Nevada.