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

Gobies

Gobies are one of the largest families of fish comprised of over 2000 separate species. Most species rarely grow more than a couple of inches in length.

7 Sparkling Safety Tips For A Dog-Proof Christmas Tree

Not all trees are for dogs – make sure you follow these safety tips to keep your dog off your Christmas tree this holiday season Ah… the allure…

Palliative Pet Care Aiming to Serve Emerging Market

With 69 percent of pet owners who treat their pet as family members, palliative pet care gives beloved pets sympathetic end of life care.

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…

Ram Cichlids

Ram Cichlids (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) are a species of freshwater cichlid that can be found in slow-moving waters throughout the Orinoco River basin.

How To Keep Pets Safe From Coyotes

With housing developments expanding into wooded areas, it''s not uncommon to hear of coyote attacks on pets. Here''s how to protect your furry loved ones.

DIY Doughnut Sock Toy for Dogs

Tore a hole in one of your socks? Don’t throw them away–make this super quick, super simple dog doughnut toy instead. As most pawrents already kn…

Miniature Shar-Pei

The Miniature Shar-Pei shares their history with the traditional Chinese Shar-Pei but they have been selectively bred down in size.

10 Custom-Crafted Pooch Products From Etsy

Your dog is a one-of-a-kind - that''s why you want to shower him (or yourself) with cool and unique gifts you won''t find anywhere else but on Etsy.com.

Affenshire

The Affenshire is a designer dog breed, developed by crossing a Yorkshire Terrier to an Affenpinscher. Learn more about these unique tiny dogs!

15 Dastardly Dog Costumes For a Spooktacular Halloween

If you''re looking to include your four-legged ghoul in this year''s Hallow''s Eve festivities, these dog costumes will definitely be a treat.

What You Should Know About Adopting A Special Needs Dog

Adopting a special needs dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you ever have Since there are many dogs available for adoption, it’s often th…

Red Carpet Worthy: 2015 Oscar Gift Bags Include Halo Donation For Home

Lucky A-list Celebrities will receive Halo Donation Certificates in their famous Oscar Swag Bags. It’s a night filled with glitz, glam and wardrobe mal…

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!?

Portuguese Water Dog

A hard working dog that is wonderful to own, the Portuguese Water Dog is the perfect companion for many families. Read on to find out if it''s a good fit.