Best Shampoos to Remove Odor in a Dog's Coat

While it is a fact that dogs do not smell great, there may be instances where your dog's ''doggie smell'' may be too much too handle. Unless your dog rolled into a pile of manure or had a recent encounter with a skunk, you must try your best to investigate the original source of the smell.

If your dog's smell has become more invasive than usual, it is imperative to rule out any medical conditions that may be the underlying cause of the smell. Common causes of abhorrent smells in dogs are skin infections, diseased teeth, ear infections and anal gland problems, just to name a few.

These potential medical causes therefore will need to be addressed, otherwise, the unpleasant smells will be lingering for a while, despite using the most fragrant shampoos on the market. Generally, when the best shampoos fail, suspect several skin or medical conditions to be at the root of the problem. Following are some of the best shampoos on the market to combat a plethora of smells attributed to a variety of disorders and circumstances.

If your dog's abhorrent smell is attributed to a skin condition, you must use the most appropriate medicated shampoo tailored to the treat that condition. Common skin conditions in dogs known to cause unpleasant odors are bacterial skin infections, yeast infections and excessively oily skin. Generally, medicated shampoos are obtained by prescription only, but there are several available over the counter. The most common active ingredients found in medicated shampoos are benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine, ethyl lactate and imidazole. Never use medicated shampoos formulated for humans in dogs as the Ph levels are different.

Common medicated shampoos formulated for dogs suffering from skin conditions known to cause significant odor are the following brands;

• ChlorhexiDerm
• Etiderm
• Nizoral
• Malaseb
• Dermazole
• Pyoben

If you witnessed your dog being skunked, then it is of utmost importance to remove the odor as soon as possible. If your dog was sprayed directly into the face, this may result in red eyes and nausea. If this is the case, flush your dog's eyes and mouth with fresh water and monitor your dog for some time. If the eyes still appear red and your dog is still nauseated, consult with your veterinarian.

To remove the odor, there are several products on the market. If your dog lives near areas frequented by skunks you may want to keep some of these shampoos handy just in case. While the home remedy of using tomato sauce is a popular one, truth is, it will not be much effective and your dog will end up smelling like a rotten tomato.

If your dog's odor does not appear to be attributed to a skin condition, or a recent encounter with a skunk, and if the smell is tolerable, you may simply want to invest in a shampoo that will remove odors, allowing your dog to smell pleasant, as never before. Look for a product that works by neutralizing odors rather than masking them. These are usually shampoos used by groomers that know the best ones that work. Give your dog a nice bath and have him smelling as if he just visited the groomer!