Jump to content

Smelly Puppy


Inky
 Share

Recommended Posts

My eight week old mini foxy absolutely reeks. He's had two baths since he came home last Friday, but within a few hours, he's stinking the place up again. When I bathe him, I don't do his head, for two reasons: 1) I don't want to get shampoo in his eyes, and 2) I used to wash my last dog's head and he wound up with an ear infection that his vet blamed on wet ears. I can't believe all this stink is coming just from his head, but could that be it? Should I try washing his head? I don't want to bathe him so often, 'cause I know it's not good for his skin, but his Dad isn't pleased with the smell. I'm pretty tolerant of all things animal - even smells - but it's starting to bother even me.

He's eating Hill's Science Diet for puppies, small bites. His shampoo is Exelpet 2 in 1 conditioning shampoo. That'll be replaced as soon as I can get over to Fyshwick and buy a proper puppy shampoo. K-mart had a lousy selection, so that's what I'm stuck with for now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You could try Baby shampoo, which won't sting his eyes, also use a flannel to do his head.

Check if his ears don't smell inside, etc so it isn't something that warrants veterinary attention.

Sometimes puppies smell, but excessive smell coming from the skin could be coming from the inside out so maybe its his food , I won't go into diet, that's better left to those with more diet knowledge.

I have a dry shampoo at home which is for cats, but I use it on my pup from time to time, inbetween washes , it smells nice and does a good "cover up" till the next bath :flame:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Inky, check his mouth and his ears! A smell so strong that its back after a couple of days ain't normal. Has this pup been wormed?

There is nothing wrong with the shampoo you are using - think I have a bottle of that in my cupboard.

How accustomed are members of your family to dogs - I know of people who think All dogs smell! :flame:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with others and check his ears... little sniff and look for any brown/black build up -- if the smell is coming from there then a trip to the vet would be the best thing.

He is rolling around in anything outside?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Baby shampoos are great. They are tearless. Also if you are using an adult strength shampoo he maybe getting irritated skin which can cause a smell. Probably try a seperate conditioner as well. PLus I used excel pet in the past and it doesn't work very well. Try a oatmeal or tea tree shampoo!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the suggestions guys. :laugh:

His ears were checked by the vet on Saturday, and looking at them now, they still look pretty clean and pink. Mouth looks all right, doesn't seem to have bad breath. And I'd know, 'cause he washes my face several times a day. :laugh: Has been wormed regularly. Not rolling around in anything outside. Nothing to roll in and no opportunity. Fenced in garden, and all potty breaks are taken on the leash, since I can't trust him not to chew the plants and run under the porch. :D Partner has never had pets before, so I could see him being less tolerant of doggy smell, but it's bothering ME, and I grew up on a farm. Not many animal smells bother me. I even find the smell of skunk and cow manure almost pleasant. So the puppy must really stink. :D

Doesn't really smell like anything but dog. Just a really STRONG doggy smell. It's the smell I associate with doggy feet, 'cause that always seems to be the first part to stink when they're coming up on bathtime. His feet don't seem to stink any more than the rest of him tho. Having sniffed his various parts (yeah, don't laugh, I know it's a funny image), I think it might be his head after all. The Exelpet says to avoid eyes, so I think I'll run out and get something tearless and try again. Save the Exelpet for when he's older and stands still during his bath.

Thanks again. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah? I never knew they smelled doggy. Woulda thought they'd smell... er, well, like poo. I think I can rule out impaction and fear, but infection would be another thing. If he still stinks after getting his head washed, it's off to the vet with him (I'm sure he'll be thrilled :D).

Now, as to washing his head... If I gently rub his ears with a towel and park him by the heater afterwards, should he be OK? I really don't want the poor little guy getting an ear infection.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can buy some good ear cleaner that you put a few drops in after a bath, and this cleans them and helps dry them as it contains alcohol. I also wipe out Fitz and Frosty's ears with a cotton bud, as I have had no luck getting the buds to stay in during the bath. Fitz and Frosty both have great ears, they have stayed clean and dry even though I give them a full bath every week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ahh, thanks for that FF&A. Hadn't heard of that one. Will have to try it out.

Kierrasmommy, he hasn't been there yet. I got a puppy shampoo and I'm trying that first. I washed his head. I didn't get his snout very clean, 'cause he kept trying to lick my fingers, so he still smells slightly doggy, but hopefully it's helped some.

Whatever the results, this HAS to be the last bath for a while. He's been scratching a lot, so I think his skin is drying out. Sardines in oil is good for that, isn't it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sardines are great for that, I think there is also some kind of oil you can add to his food to help too. I can't think of the name (bit of a mental blank :hug: Sorry). I use a washer and a toothbrush for my boys face, as get quite a bit of eye build up which stains the white coats, and it is so good for cleaning to the skin. I also have a doggie scruber that is great for soaping the dogs up, and getting to the skin, it also stimulates the oils in the dogs coat, and helps heaps. Make sure all the soap is washed out, and that the dog is brushed before a bath to help remove any loose hairs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is just another suggestion but is it possible he has a fungal infection on his skin? Gizmo and Star started getting really doggy smelling feet and it turned out to be a fungal infection. They don't normally smell doggy at all. The vet needed to do a scrape to make sure. When you described it as smelling like feet, it made me think of it. At the time, their feet would stink within hours of having a bath.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have you tried adding spinach to his diet? Just the frozen stuff you buy at the supermarket is fine. If you are close to an Aldi, they have frozen spinach cubes, makes it really easy to dole out. About a table-spoon should be enough, and it will take a couple of weeks to notice, but it does work.

Also, when bathing him, try putting cotton wool in his ears to stop any water from getting in. Also I have heard that a couple drops of glycerine in the eyes helps to protect them from irritation too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was wondering how he was in the flea department. Has he been scratching at all. When a dog scratches it stimulates skin glands which can cause the smell as well. It doesnt matter how much you bath him, if he is scratching he will stink again soon after.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to use cotton wool to keep water out and dry afterwards.

If the cotton wool is no good, it might be worth trying -- BLUE TACK.

When one of my boys had grommits, the ENT specialist told me to use Blue Tack as ear plugs as it was better than even the most expensive devices available for the purpose (at the time, that is).

cheers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An American breeder once told us a trick they use for the long-lingering smells after a dog's rolled in something or had a 'skunk attack' (& been bathed & all). Dilute some good quality mouth-wash & comb it thro' the coat.

For anything that touches a dog's skin (or a human's), I always do a small patch test first...in case there's a reaction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...