Any tips to make a dog less smelly?

1. 69

   grumpiornotposted 12 years ago

   Any tips to make a dog less smelly?
   
   We have two brilliant dogs who are loving and happy family members. Unfortunately, one of them is a rather smelly chap and his skin/fur smells quite strongly. Obviously this does not take anything away from him, but I was wondering... is there any way to minimise your dogs' odour?
   We don't want to wash them too regularly because then their skin is itchy and have been told to feed them fish oil pills...

   replyreport
2. 59

   cathymadsonposted 12 years ago

   I use some great dog wash wipes that I found at my local dog supply store. There are ones made specifically for sensitive skin types and are all-natural, etc. I'm sure you could find something similar online or at your local dog shop.
   Also, you might want to check with your vet to see if the food your feeding them could be contributing to their bad smell. It's not normal to have an extra smelly dog and it could be an indicator of a health issue, e.g. food allergy or yeast infection.

   replyreport
   1. 69

      grumpiornotposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Any guidelines on how often I should wash the dogs, without irritating their skin? I will look at their diet etc.
      Thanks for your input

      replyreport
3. 82

   agilitymachposted 12 years ago

   I use oatmeal shampoo as it is supposed to be more gentle on their skin.  I never bathe my dogs more than every two weeks, as more often than that is also supposed to make their skin dry and itchy. 
   
   I have also heard others really like the dog wipes for in-between baths.

   replyreport
   1. 69

      grumpiornotposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks agilitymach - I will try combine the oatmeal shampoo with diluted vinegar wipes so the dogs don't itch too badly.

      replyreport
4. 71

   Angela Blairposted 12 years ago

   I have a half-Lab -- big dog -- that has the same problem. I discovered, quite by accident (I was trying to rid him of fleas by natural means) that vinegar dispels my dog's body odor. I just wet a cloth, pour a little vinegar on it and rub it all over his body. Now, the vinegar will remain quite smelly for a few minutes but after that my dog smells wonderfully clean. My neighbor has tried my idea and it's worked for her, too, but she uses a spray bottle of half vinegar/half water and uses a cloth to work the liquid into the dog's coat. By the way -- it's also helped our flea problem as it appears fleas do not like the smell of vinegar and quickly seek a new host!

   replyreport
   1. 78

      Faceless39posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My vinegar hub might interest you.  My initial response was to mention vinegar, but you beat me to it!  It's a wonderful, natural solution to many things! 
      
      http://faceless39.hubpages.com/_ReadMe1 … or-Vinegar

      replyreport
   2. 71

      Angela Blairposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Faeless39 -- I'll definitely read your vinegar Hub -- and we agree, vinegar is a natural (and harmless) solution to many problems -- including smelly critters.

      replyreport
   3. 69

      grumpiornotposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Angela and Faceless39. Will be washing our chaps soon so that we start with a clean "slate" and incorporate vinegar into the wash and subsequent wipes.

      replyreport