How to Make a Stinky Dog Smell Better

According to the Humane Society, there are approximately 77.5 million dogs owned in the United States. While dogs typically make loving, cuddly pets, a dog with a stinky odor can be less than desirable to have around the house. Fortunately, there are effective ways to deal with a smelly dog that will make having your canine's companionship a more pleasing experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Toothbrush
  • Dog shampoo
  • Dog brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the source of the odor if possible. There are many factors that can be associated with a dog's unpleasant odor. These reasons range from your dog having rolled in something that smells bad to your dog's breath. Your dog may even have a skin rash or an infection in its ears. To locate the source, sniff your dog's skin, hair, ears and breath. Examine the hair and run your hand over it everywhere, looking for anything that might indicate your dog has been into something it shouldn't be. This may not be a pleasant task, but it is necessary to help locate the source of the odor.

    • 2

      Bathe your dog using shampoo purchased from a pet store or recommended by your vet. Regular bathing will take care of any odors associated with your dog having gotten into something nasty.

    • 3

      Brush your dog's teeth. You can purchase a special toothpaste at any pet store that will clean your canine's teeth and help fight odors associated with breath. Bad breath is often a source of odor problems even with a dog that is bathed regularly.

    • 4

      Groom your dog. Spend several minutes a day brushing your dog's coat. Pay particular attention around the genitals and anal opening, particularly if you have a long haired breed. Brushing keeps your dog's coat healthy and pulls out any feces that may get stuck in the hair and cause lingering odor.

    • 5

      Visit the vet if you regularly bathe your dog and brush its teeth and still have odor problems. This is an indication your dog may have a skin problem or an infection somewhere that is causing a foul odor. Very often, your vet will prescribe an antibiotic to take care of the infection, which will cause the odor to go away.