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

Miniature Bulldog

Miniature Bulldog usually refers to a hybrid mix of a purebred Bulldog with a purebred Pug, but can also be a purebred Bulldogs bred down for size.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Cali

It’s Tuesday and you know what that means – it’s time for our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. This week’s winner…

Asian Shorthair

The Asian Shorthair is really lovable, affectionate cats, much like the Burmese. They are also known for their love of exploration.

Eco-Friendly Natural Memorials Allow a Pet’s Memory to Live Forever

Losing a pet is never easy. What to do after he''s gone is a difficult choice - a Florida service offers an environmentally friendly way to honor your pet.

Dwelf

The Dwelf is an interesting looking and hairless cat breed that''s named for its elf-like features and dwarf-like stature.

Scoodle

The Scoodle is a cross between a purebred Poodle and Scottish Terrier. This is a breed that is known for its energy and playfulness,

Senior Cat Health Problems: How to Keep Your Senior Cat Active

Part of getting older is slowing down. The same goes for our felines. Take control of your senior cat health problems by keeping her active.

Pinto Horse

The Pinto Horse is bred for its color pattern. This is multi-talented horse and it can be used in a variety of settings and for a variety of tasks.

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!

Moorish Idol

The Moorish idol is closely related to surgeonfish. These fish are characterized by their vertically compressed, disk-like bodies and bold colorations.

Cocker Spaniel

In this brief guide, we''ll take a look at the Cocker Spaniel and address how it became a breed synonymous with ""quality dog.""

Feline Vaccinations: Which Ones Are Really Necessary?

What vaccinations does your cat really need? Pet vaccinations have helped reduce the incidence of a variety of serious and potentially fatal diseases. Feline…

Crimson Rosella

Crimson Rosella is sweet, playful, and very inquisitive parrot that does well as a pet in families of all shapes and sizes.

Man And His Dog Walk 1200 Miles For Cancer — And You Can Help

Roland Frasier and Wags are walking for a wonderful cause Losing a spouse is devastating. It’s a reality Roland Frasier knows all too well — he l…

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Scootie

It’s time to get upside down with our Upside Down Dog of the Week for Upsidedowndogs.com. This week’s winner is Scootie, a 1-year-old male Borde…