How to Make Your Dog Smell Good Without Shampoo

Sometimes a bath just is not feasible and Fido smells too icky to not fix the situation. There are plenty of ways to make your dog smell better when you do not have the option of using shampoo. Some methods involve long term ways to improve your dog's body odor, but there are other methods you can put into action when help is needed on short notice. If your dog has a bad smell and bathing even with shampoo does not help, contact your veterinarian to rule out larger health concerns.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog brush
  • Baby wipes
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • Bucket
  • Spray bottle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pay careful attention to your dog's diet. A poor diet reflects in your dog's skin and coat, and can cause body odor. Your dog's food should be balanced between protein and vegetables with little to no fillers. Your veterinarian can help if you feel that your dog's food is contributing to body odor.

    • 2

      Check your dogs ears, eyes and teeth frequently. Ear and eye infections can emit a sour smell; tooth issues can cause unpleasant odors as well. Making sure your pet's ears, eyes and teeth are healthy can be done while playing with or petting your dog and can help you to catch minor health problems before they become major.

    • 3

      Brush your dog regularly. Brushing removes dead skin and hair, which can be significant culprits when it comes to dog odor. Depending on your dog's coat, you may need a wire brush or a soft-bristled brush. Be careful not to use sharp brushes around your dog's eyes or genitals.

    • 4

      Use baby wipes to spot clean your dog. Non-scented hypo-allergenic baby wipes are a quick way to wipe down your dog's skin and coat in between baths. Make sure that you use chlorine-free wipes, since your dog licks his skin and coat.

    • 5

      Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons of water in a bucket. You can either add this mixture to a spray bottle or you can pour the mixture over your dog's coat using the bucket. The spray bottle gives you more control over where the spray hits. Vinegar neutralizes odors, and when your dog's coat dries, you will not smell the vinegar.