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

Best Dog Accessories

There are so many different dog accessories but all of them are designed to make your and your pet''s life easier and better!

Golden Corgi

Corgis and Golden Retrievers are some of the most adored dog breeds on the planet, and their mixed offspring doesn’t disappoint, either.

Cool Summer Ideas For Panting Pooches

Hot dogs know how to keep it cool this summer We couldn’t be more excited that summer is finally here – especially after that brutal winter that…

Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke has the ability to track game over the roughest terrain, even through the brush, following the trail long after it has gone cold.

The Importance Of Raw Bones For Dogs

Throw your dog a bone - a few reasons why we like raw bones for dogs and how you can incorporate them in your dog''s diet.

Vote Now For Your Favorite True Love Contest Picture

PHOTO SUBMISSION IS OVER – VOTING BEGINS! We wanted to make sure that everyone had the same chance to get as many “Likes” (which count as v…

Show Off Cat Lady Pride With Feline-Themed Embroidery Patterns

The feline-tastic book that will make your summer contains hundreds of cat motifs and easy-to-follow instructions on how to stitch them yourself.

How to Survive Spring Allergies This Shedding Season

There''s no need to struggle with spring allergies and loose dog hair around your home, when you''re a step away from making all your troubles disappear.

Best Cooling Pads for Dogs

Do you want your pooch to be cool as a cucumber this summer? Here are the 15 best cooling pads for dogs- in style, type and size for every canine out there!

Top 10 Ugly Christmas Sweaters For Dogs

Are you looking to humiliate your dog by including them in this weirdly tacky tradition? Here''s our Top 10 adorably ugly Christmas sweaters for dogs.

Safety Tips For Running With a Dog at Night

There are a lot of good reasons why people like running with a dog at night. We''ve put together some tips for running with a dog at night.

Frisky Siberian Husky Falls For A Pile Of Leaves [Video]

Fall is our favorite season, but no one loves it more than this frisky Siberian Husky! Remember how much you loved jumping into a pile of leaves when you wer…

How to Dog-Proof Your Outdoor Barbecue

It’s barbecue season and your dog couldn’t be happier. Here’s how to ensure your BBQ is a success and keep your dog out of trouble Now that…

Take A Hike: Adventures In Dog Hiking Part 2

The big day arrives – Oscar and I take our first steps toward becoming hikers It was a beautiful Saturday morning when Oscar and I made our way to hiki…

Cocker-Pei

The Cocker-Pei is a cross between a purebred Shar-Pei and Cocker Spaniel. They are known for being highly social dogs with friendly personalities.