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

Shocking Stats Reveal The True Cost Of Greyhound Racing

Grey2K USA and the ASPCA study shows 12,000 dogs injured at the racetracks over seven-year period. Greyhound racing has proven itself to be a cruel sport tha…

Did You Know These Feline Facts?

So, you think you know cats? Prove it! Let''s see how smart you are when it comes to our kitty friends with these feline facts.

Sleepypod Pet Carriers Earn Top Honors From the Center for Pet Safety

Is your car outfitted for your dog''s safety? These carriers from Sleepypod are the first carriers to meet critical crash testing guidelines.

Monthly Chocolate Box From Bitchfix Helps Fix Pet Overpopulation

Dogs and chocolate don''t mix... but people and Bitchfix chocolate do! Ten percent of every Bitchfix purchase goes toward spaying and neutering programs.

Havana Brown

The Havana Brown is unusually expressive with its paws, using them to examine things it finds interesting and to communicate with its owners.

Whole Foods Market Launches Whole Paws Line Of Premium Pet Food

Natural grocery chain the latest to offer its own line of dogs and cat food What promises to be the latest trend in pet food, Whole Foods Market has jumped o…

How To Help Dog Shelters When You Can’t Adopt

You don’t have to have a dog in order to help them – here’s what you can do for your local dog shelter You can be an animal lover even if y…

Product Review: Bike Tow Leash

Who better to review the Bike Tow Leash then our resident cycle-enthusiast Kevin Roberts? He takes the training wheels off and takes this dog-friendly attach…

Brittany

Favored by hunters as a popular breed at field trails, the Brittany is quick, curious, independent, and easy to train. Great pets for families and retirees.

Tzu Basset

The easy-going Tzu Basset brings together the friendly Basset Hound and the headstrong Shih Tzu for a great family pet and companion.

DIY Dog Food: Up at the Cottage Cheese & Chicken Dog Food Recipe

You''ll always see the bottom of the bowl after you make your dog this meal. Watch as I cook up the Up at The Cottage Cheese Chicken and Rice Dog Food.

Best Dog Kennel Covers

Dog kennel covers make sure that your pet is protected from the elements in the time he spends outside- a must-have acessory for all outdoor kennels.

The Latest in Dog Travel Essentials From Global Pet Expo

At 2013 Global Pet Expo, we saw so many new and fashionable ways to travel with your pup. Here are just a few of the options we spotted.

Different Dog Insurance Rates And Coverage Types

Looking for the right coverage for your pooch? Chances are, there’s an dog insurance type to fit your needs. If you’re looking for a lower rate o…

Pugzoo.com’s California Gold Small Dog Pet Food Giveaway

Guess what time it is? It’s time for another contest! Woo hoo! This week, you have the chance to win a 2lbs bag of California Gold Small Dog Pet Food f…