Saturday, February 7, 2009

Getting the Stink out of Your Dog: Ideas For Bathing Your Dog

There are many different dog bathing supplies on the market, but sometimes what you have at home will help you the most. Dog owners are often quick to tell you that anything that is stinky or decaying, appeals to dogs. This is especially true for those dog owners that live near a forest, beside a river, or on a farm . It doesn't seem to matter what is causing the foul odor, if it stinks and can be rolled in, your dog will be happy. Even though smelling like a sewer system is a dogs idea of nirvana, the owner is often less enthusiastic. The odor coming from your pet can mean one of two things, either you have to take the time to take your pet to the pet groomer, or you have to bath your dog yourself. Even then there is no guarantee that you can remove all of the offensive odor.

Dog experts believe that a dog rolling in foul smelling things may be an attempt to disguise themselves. Even the experts don't really understand why a dog feels the need to conceal their scent. This could be a natural instinct that comes from a time when they hunted for their dinner. Another natural instinct is to hide their scent as a form of protection. They could be trying to hide from a potential predator such as other packs of feral dogs. Of course it is always possible that dogs roll in the stinky objects because it feels good.

Obviously the quickest and easiest way to remove unpleasant odors from your dog's coat is to wash your dog. Be sure use a shampoo made for dogs. Shampoos made for human hair is often too harsh and will strip away the natural oils in the dog's coat, leaving the skin unprotected and susceptible to rashes and infections. If the odor is especially strong, like the scent of a skunk, try bathing the dog in tomato juice.

If you have a dog that habitually rolls in stinky items, you may want to consider having his coat clipped short. This will make the dog more comfortable during the hot summer months and will be easier for you to wash.

If after bathing your dog you still detect a strong odor, the source might not be the dogs coat but a sign of a more serious health problem. For example, dental issues can make a dogs breath smell so foul that you can smell it throughout the house. Strong breath odor can also be an indication of a more serious disease such as kidney failure and diabetes. Dogs can also be prone to forming anal sacs that become impacted and infected, and extremely stinky. If washing your dog does not seem to lessen or remove the odor, take your dog to your veterinarian to rule out a more serious problem.

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