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

Trifo Lucy Robot Vacuum Review

Tired of sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping? Then the Trifo Lucy Robot Vacuum is made just for you – and we’ve tried it out!

Molasses and Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe

When Oscar has tummy troubles, a little pumpkin puree goes a long way. When I found a Molasses and Pumpkin Dog Treats Recipe, I had to put it to the test.

Canaan Dog

The Canaan Dog is one of the oldest known breeds in existence today. They belong to the Spitz family and have the appearance of most primitive dog breeds.

My Dog Has Diarrhea – How Do I Treat It?

The Poop On What I Do When My Dog Has Diarrhea. Because of Oscar''s sensitive tummy, I''ve picked up a few tips that have helped when he gets the runs.

The Loving Bowl Puts A New Slant On The Way Dogs Eat

Flat-faced dogs rejoice – there’s now a bowl made just for you! A simple modification on a traditional design, The Loving Bowl serves up a new ta…

Hound & Co. Brings Online Dog Artisan Shopping To Your Fingertips

There''s a new place for dog lovers who love handmade items to find exactly what they are looking for, with an Etsy-esque online site named Hound & Co.

Best Dog Harnesses for Every Type of Pooch

Big or small, leash trained or not, your canine friend will be happy with any of the high-quality dog harnesses from our list.

Celebrity Lineup Announced For 2014 American Humane Association Hero D

The stars will be coming out for the 2014 American Hero Dog on September 27 at a red carpet event in Beverly Hills The fourth annual American Humane Associat…

The Best In Show Facts About The Westminster Dog Show

The 139th Annual Westminster Dog Show (presented by the Westminster Kennel Club) is coming and we are at the edge of our seats already!

Ask the Hairy Dogfathers: Grand Day for a Grand-Dog

Your daughter''s big day has arrived... but she''s not the one in white, her dog is! A grandmother asks the Hairy Dogfathers for advice about the big day.

Best Dog Training Treats

Dog training treats give your dog a reason to learn and improve- with the right type of yummy snack, you can even teaach an old dog new tricks!

Saltwater Eels

Saltwater eels are one of the most fascinating and demanding species of fish kept by aquarists. They are characterized by their long, snake like bodies.

10 Beautiful Bulldog Baubles

There are two kinds of people: those who love Bulldogs... and those we''re not friends with. Show them you''re on team Bulldog with these must-have trinkets.

American Rabbit

The American Rabbit comes with either a white or blue coat. Most are rather docile with some just barely sipping into the ""lazy"" side of the scale.

How To Train A Puppy To Sit

""Sit"" is often one of the first commands that owners teach their new puppy and is easy to learn. Let''s go over the steps on how to train a puppy to sit.