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

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish are a family of marine fish comprised of over a 100 different species. They are counted among some of the most poisonous animals in the world.

10 Pawesome Stocking Stuffers

More often than not, a gift doesn''t have to be expensive to impress- these stocking stuffers will put a smile on any pet lover''s face.

Pugshire

As a designer dog breed, the Pugshire comes from two purebred parents- in his case, it''s the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pug.

Paby 3G Smart Tracker Keeps Your Pet Safe And Fit!

Paby lets you know where your pet is in real-time, monitors step, calories burned, and lets you use your network data instead of subscription services!

Ellen Rewards Firefighters Who Pulled Dog Out Of Icy River With A Cari

Firefighters do more than just put out fires – they also jump into frozen rivers to rescue dogs. And when Ellen DeGeneres heard about a team of Wellesl…

French Pit

the French Pit is full of surprises: the mix between a French Bulldog and the American Pit Bull Terrier proved to be a match made in heaven!

Eco-Friendly PawNosh Fire Hose Bowls Perfect For Dogs on the Go

Are you an on-the-go pet parent who happens to be eco-conscious? We''ve got a collapsible dog bowl for you - the PawNosh Fire Hose Bowl.

Foreign White

The Foreign White likes getting attention, lounging in your lap, and is curious and playful. These cats can also be quite demanding and talkative.

Road To Recovery: Post-Operative Spay And Neuter Care

Before your dog heads into surgery, here’s what you should know about the spay and neuter procedure If you’re going to have your dog spayed or ne…

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.

Greyhound

One of the oldest dog breeds, the Greyhound is used for racing, lure coursing, and open field coursing, as well as its success as a household companion.

Shiffon

The Shiffon is a cross between a purebred Shih Tzu and Brussels Griffon. They have a rambunctious, curious, playful, and cheerful personality.

Russian Harlequin Hound

The Russian Harlequin Hound has excellent hunting skills and also makes a pleasant family pet. This scenthound as a friendly and good-natured breed.

Adoptable Dog of the Week-Toad

Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Toad, a 2 and a half years old Miniature Australian Shepherd mix from Brandon, South Dakota.

Camera-Shy Dogs Get The Puparazzi Treatment With BarkCam App

You love taking pictures of your pooch. Now, how can you make that more fun? With the BarkCam app for iPhone! You''ll be addicted to posting hilarious pics!