Dog owners the world over have at one time had to deal with their dog being sprayed by a skunk. And the phrase “smells like a wet dog” conjures up a specific scent familiar to many. The flea is also closely associated with dogs and the ensuing scratching when a dog is infected. But a dog does not naturally smell bad, have bad breath or scratch for no reason.
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Fur
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According to the article “Canine Fur: What’s Fur?” on the Dog Owner’s Guide website, “all mammals have hair covering some, much or virtually all of their bodies.” The fur comes in many different forms, whether short, long, thick or thin. Unlike humans, dogs may have multiple hairs per follicle, but the hair is still made up of protein keratin and dead skin cells. Dogs have an undercoat and what the Dog Owner’s Guide website refers to as "guard hairs" that protect the undercoat and skin. It is no secret that dogs shed and many dogs develop a "winter coat."
Skin
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Skin gives hair the ability to grow. It is also the largest organ of the body. As stated in the article “Canine Skin: Skin: Protection From the Whimsies and Weapons of the Environment,” a dog’s skin helps to “reduce exposure to extreme cold by muscular action that fluffs the hair and traps heated air next to the body.” The skin also helps protect against the sun. While dogs do not sweat the way humans do, the same sweat glands “secrete pheromones that give dogs a distinctive body odor,” according to the Dog Owner’s Guide.
Mange
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There are four types of mange that can affect a dog: demodectic, or “red mange”; sarcoptic, or scabies; cheyletiellosis, or “walking dandruff”; and ear mites. Demodectic mange occurs when there is an explosion of Demodex canis mites within the dog’s hair follicles; this is believed to be primarily hereditary and is incredibly itchy. Sarcoptic mange happens when the scabiei canis mite lays its eggs in the skin of the dog, creating an infection and severe itching. Cheyletiellosis is caused by the Cheyletiella yasguri mite, which moves around on the dog’s coat, creating flakes and itching. Ear mites are Otodectes cynotis mites that trigger an infection on the outer part of the dog’s ear, producing scratching and a possible unpleasant odor.
Infection
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Infections can occur from the different types of mange, but infections also occur for other reasons. When the body of a dog sustains injury, an untreated wound can become infected, itchy and begin to smell foul. Yeast infections are particularly bothersome to dogs. The Mar Vista Animal Medical Center website states that “the yeasts in small, normal numbers are harmless, but when the yeasts are present in large numbers, disease results.” A yeast infection becomes extremely itchy and smelly.
Environment
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A dog’s immediate environment can also be a reason he may smell or scratch. Allergens affect many dogs. An allergy may cause itchiness or sores that at times may emit a foul smell. Dogs love to roll around on the ground, sometimes specifically in another animal’s feces; this could certainly lead to a not-so-nice odor. An active outdoor dog will be exposed to dirt, water, grass and plants. Sometimes a smelly dog just needs a bath!
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