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

Black Mouth Cur

If you are looking for a rugged, strongly muscled working dog then look no further than the Black Mouth Cur. These dogs can be trained for a variety of uses

Pufferfish – Saltwater

Pufferfish are a large family of saltwater fish. It can fill its elastic stomach with water until it expands to a large, almost globe-like shape.

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was bred for he Czechoslovak Special Forces as an attack dog but has come to be used for search and rescue.

How is Commercial Dog Food Regulated?

Ever wonder how commercial dog food is regulated? We go over what companies have to do before kibble hits the shelves. Commercial food products for people ar…

The Winners Of Our Tongues Out Contest

These pictures got our tongues wagging during our Envvy Uglies contest Let’s start out by saying that you guys really outdid yourselves with the photos…

Yorkie Ton

A rare and relatively recent designer dog breed, the Yorkie Ton is developed by crossing two purebred dogs- Yorkshire Terrier and Coton de Tulear.

Max and Bella Top 2013 Most Popular Puppy Names

The top puppy names for 2013 is full of adorable names for your fur babies. It''s a mix of human and classic monikers - Max and Bella topping the list.

Newfypoo

The Newfypoo is a mix between a Poodle and a Newfoundland. Newfypoos are highly intelligent, so you can teach your dog to do a lot of fun tricks.

Skypoo

The affectionate Skypoo brings together the intelligence of the fun-loving Miniature Poodle and the energy of the Skye Terrier for a wonderful family dog.

5 Warning Signs That You Need Dog Insurance

Dogs can get into all kinds of issues. We''ve put together 5 warning signs you should watch out for that will let you know if you need dog insurance.

Top 10 Howlarious Dog Halloween Costumes

This year, I went looking for the coolest, rib-tickling dog Halloween costumes you can buy (online to boot!) and have delivered right to your door.

Mastiff

Look up Mastiff online and you''ll be greeted with a plethora of options. The Mastiff is such a varied and multifaceted division in the world of dog breeds.

Best Large Dog Sweaters

Large dog sweaters keep our big four-legged companions warm and cozy when the temperatures drop. Here''s our selection of the best choices out there!

2018 Global Pet Expo Day 3: That’s A Wrap!

2018 Global Pet Expo has come to an end, but the things we''ve seen and learned here will keep us motivated and excited for years to come.

This Brew’s For Bowser: Beer For Dogs Is A Cool, Refreshing Trend

Beer for canines? The growing industry lets you share a drink with man’s best friend How often have you sat on your couch, watching the football game,…