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

Hear Doggy! Ultrasonic Martian Toy Review

The Martians have arrived - can our brave testing dogs protect us from the Hear Doggy! invasion? Let''s talk about what makes the Hear Doggy! different.

Cavanese

The Cavanese is a cross between a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Havanese. These dogs are sweet, affectionate, and smart.

What Supplements Should I Give My Puppy?

As a proud pet parent to a new pup, you want to make sure your furry addition is healthy right from the get-go. And that may mean adding the right supplement…

Yellow Naped Amazon

The Yellow Naped Amazon is easily among the friendliest, loveliest and cuddliest pet parrots on the market. Their long lifespan makes them great companions!

Havana Brown

The Havana Brown is unusually expressive with its paws, using them to examine things it finds interesting and to communicate with its owners.

Welsh Terrier

With personality plus, the Welsh Terrier is an outgoing and playful dog. This breed will keep his family entertained and in stitches for hours.

Buy 2, Get 1 Free Treats From Chewy.com – This Week Only!

Treats, treats and more treats…that’s what’s going on at Chewy.com. This week, you can buy 2 and get 1 free on Chewy Private Label Dog Tre…

Affenpug

The bold, fun-loving little Affenpug dog brings together the charm of the Pug and the willful nature of the Affenpinscher.

Keeshdoodle

The loving Keeshdoodle is a mix of the playful Poodle and the please-pleasing Keeshond. This breed is a wonderful family dog who loves kids.

Product Review: Pawz Dog Boots

We woke up this morning, and it was -40. It looked like a great day to test the Pawz Dog Boots! They come 12 to a pack, and fit any dog from 1"" to 5"" feet.

Giant Schnoodle

The Giant Schnoodle is a hybrid of a Standard Poodle and a Giant Schnauzer. He''s a wonderfully loyal and fun family dog who loves to cuddle.

Glechon

The Glechon is a cross between a purebred Beagle and Bichon Frise. These dogs are known for being easygoing, friendly, playful, affectionate, and smart.

PBS’ ‘Shelter Me’ Puts The Spotlight On At-Risk Pets

We all know the statistics are grim: millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters every year. Filmmaker Steve Latham is hoping to change that with hi…

Top 10 Best Cats for Mousing

Got a mouse in the house? Forget the mouse trap - a cat is your best pest buster. Here are the top 10 best cats for mousing.

How to Choose the Right Scratching Post for Your Cat

A scratching post is an essential piece of feline furniture. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which one your cat will use?