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

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Whippany

Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Whippany, a 3 years old Parson Russell Terrier from Methuen, Massachusetts. This lovely little pooch has been spayed.

Proper Dog Etiquette When Renting a Cottage

If you''re making plans to rent a cottage, or you''re a guest at a friend''s chalet, you need to know the rules before bringing your dog along with you.

Golden Oldies: Paddling With A Senior Pooch

Don''t leave your dog out of your outdoor adventures. Even elderly dogs can enjoy an active lifestyle out on the water, as long as you''re prepared.

How Long Should It Take to Train Your Dog the 5 Basic Commands?

Does your dog know the five basic commands? We''re going to go over how long it should take to train your dog.

Terminal K-9 Cop Receives Fitting Farewell From Fellow Officers

When Kaiser, a 2-year-old German Shepherd who has served as a member the Plymouth (MA) Police Department''s K-9 unit, was diagnosed with kidney disease, there was nothing that could be done for him.

Product Review: WeatherTech Cargo Liner and Pet Barrier Review

Dog Sport Enthusiast Kevin Roberts takes WeatherTech''s Cargo Liner and Pet Barrier out for a spin - do they stand up to the mess of his snow-loving dogs?

Anglerfish

Anglerfish are a family of predatory fish consisting of over 200 separate species. They are characterized by their rod-like growths called illicium.

Silky Cocker

The Silky Cocker is a designer dog breed that was developed by crossing the Maltese with a Cocker Spaniel. Find out more about their traits and care!

The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Road Trip Lets You Plan Epic Bucket List

A new book that details the top pet-friendly destinations in the U.S. has hit the shelves, giving pet owners the opportunity to plan The Ultimate Pet-Friendl…

Welsh Terrier

With personality plus, the Welsh Terrier is an outgoing and playful dog. This breed will keep his family entertained and in stitches for hours.

How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?

Rub-a-dub – how clean is too clean? Let’s answer that question for you right now. While it’s a fairly straightforward question, how often y…

A Pet Parent’s Guide To Heartworm Treatments

Is your dog safe? Let''s go over the basics about what heartworm is, how and why you should protect your dog, and the heartworm treatments available to you.

What to Buy Before Adopting a Cat

You''ve decided to go to your local shelter and adopt a kitty - congratulations! Before bringing your new addition home, here''s what you need to buy.

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.

Therapy Dogs May Be The Key To Less Stress And Loneliness At Colleges

Feeling stressed or depressed? Spending time with a furry friend may be just the thing you need. We all know it to be intuitively true: when we spend time wi…