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

Top 10 Gifts For Dog Lovers

We''re not just about dogs here - we''re also about the people who love them. And that''s why I''ve dedicated a Top 10 Gifts for Dog Lovers list (hint, hint).

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Marie

We’re in Puppy Love with Marie, this week’s Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptapet.com. She’s just a puppy, but expect her to grow &ndash…

Russian Toy

The Russian Toy is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. This petite breed is known for his large, triangular ears and his long, curved tail.

Boxer

Enjoying widespread popularity, the Boxer sports a square jaw line and impressive under bite that gives him a fighter-like appearance.

Best Dog Dresses

Dog dresses are a perfect accessory for special occasions: not only that they are super adorable but they are also comfy to wear.

Is World’s First Wingsuit BASE Jump With A Dog Cruel Or Cool? [Video

In his latest video, adrenaline junky Dean Potter, a famous rock climber, high-liner and human flyer, wingsuit BASE jumps with his dog, Whisper from the Eige…

Gen Y Dogma – Compromising Pet Parenting Styles

Raising a dog in a two-parent household, you need to come to some agreement on what style pet parenting you’re going to employ. If you don’t work…

Volpino Italiano

Upon first glance, you might think the Volpino Italiano is some kind of cross between a Pomeranian and an American Eskimo Dog.

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Carlton

With a look like that, you can’t help but wonder what Carlton, our Adoptable Dog of the Week, is thinking about. Whatever it is, we don’t care &n…

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Alfie

From all the way across the pond comes Alfie, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Alfie is a 1-year-old male English Springer Spaniel fr…

Bearded Collie

Cheerful and happy-go-lucky, the Bearded Collie is affectionate and playful. A wonderful playmate for children, this dog loves to be near its family.

Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog

One glance at the Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog is all it takes to know that this breed was developed for herding and guarding livestock.

Cockalier

The Cockalier is a cross between a purebred Cocker Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These adorable dogs are eager to please and social.

Best Small Dog Sweaters

Small dog sweaters keep our tiny companions warm and toasty when the temperatures drop. Read on and find a perfect pick for your precious pooch!?

Peacock Cichlids

Compared to other Lake Malawi cichlids, Peacock cichlids are relatively peaceful. They come in a wide variety of bright colors, often in iridescent shades.