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

Understanding Canine Parovirus

Knowing all the important details about Canine Parovirus can help you diagnose, seek treatment and prevent this deadly illness from affecting your dog.

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.

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.

Can Cats Eat Cheese?

Does your cat have a taste for cheese? Before you feed her a piece, you should know if cats can eat cheese.

Gen Y Dogma: Is It Time For A Second Pooch?

Christina Peden is feeling the urge to add to her family… with another dog! Like a responsible pet parent, she weighs the pros and cons before coming…

Congrats To Our #BegForZukes Twitter Contest Winners

When it comes to begging for treats, you showed us that you’re dogs will do anything to get their paws on those delectable nom noms! And that’s w…

Best Dental Treats for Cats

With thousands of happy pawrents and their pampered kitties vouching for these dental treats, yours is just to pick one with your pet''s fave flavor.

Miniature Goldendoodle

The Miniature Goldendoodle is an exciting and relatively new designer dog breed that combines the best traits of two popular breeds: the Golden Retriever and the Miniature Poodle.

Dog Expert Warren Eckstein Launches “The Pet Insider” Podcast

Banking on a successful 30-year career, dog expert Warren Eckstein is set to launch a brand new weekly podcast on PodcastOne.

Planing Your Pet’s Future: What All Pet Parents Should Do First

A non-profit animal welfare organization helps you ensure your pet gets continued lifetime care in case they outlive you.

Carrot Delight Dog Treat Recipe

When I make dog food for Oscar, I always throw in at least one carrot for good measure. Carrots are one of the wonderful veggies that humans and dogs can sha…

Jackshund

The Jackshund (Jackweenie) is a designer dog created by crossing the Jack Russell Terrier with a Dachshund. This is an energetic dog with a sweet nature.

Kanaani

The Kanaani cat is agile, playful, and athletic, as well as highly intelligent and affectionate. It is a slender breed that is very athletic and muscular.

First Ever DNA Test for Cats Hopes to Prevent Health Issues in Felines

Basepaws, a genetic startup from California, became the first company to offer DNA testing kits for cats. Their goal? Making feline lives better.

Fall In Love With Our Furever Love Valentine’s Day Contest

How much do we love thee? We could count the ways, but that would make for one long blog post. So instead, we just decided to buy your love with some cool pr…