Why Does My Old Dog Smell Bad?

Dog owners must take responsibility for many tasks of pet ownership including, of course, tending to the dog's health. This becomes more pronounced as the dog ages. Sometimes a dog's need for medical care shows clearly. Sometimes, however, symptoms don't seem obvious and the dog's health problem remains undetected. Not all dog owners pay close attention if their dog has an unpleasant odor, but they should. A bad smell can serve as a signal that a dog has health issues that need veterinary attention.

  1. Causes

    • The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) notes that a bad smell in dogs can have a number of underlying causes. Halitosis (bad breath) may come from several sources including kidney disease, diabetes or a liver problem. Gum disease or rotting teeth can also cause a dog to exude an unpleasant odor. Young dogs may exhibit these health issues, along with the accompanying bad breath, but these diseases occur more commonly in older dogs. Older dogs may also give off a bad smell because of ear infections that stem from their compromised immune systems.

    Medical Exam

    • A veterinarian will wish to do a full workup on the dog to discover why the dog has a bad smell. Blood work, an examination of the dog's urine and feces and a general physical will help the veterinarian discover the cause of the dog's bad odor and can tell the veterinarian if the bad smell comes from the dog's mouth or from an underlying cause in the dog's respiratory tract, ears or digestive system.

    Treatments for Bacterial Causes of Bad Odor

    • A vet can treat a dog who has a bad smell because of bacteria in his liver, kidneys or lungs with anti-bacterial or antibiotic medications. A vet might treat an ear infection by flushing the infected ears of the dog with a medicinal flush and prescribing antibiotics, both oral and topical.

    Treatments for Oral Causes of Bad Odor

    • Dogs who suffer from a build-up of plaque or dental problems may need a professional teeth cleaning and, perhaps, some animal dentistry. The veterinarian can frequently make suggestions about improving the dog's diet which may balance the previous difficulties that caused the bad odor. Some dogs do better with dry food while other dogs need fresh meat or a combination of fresh and dry food.

    Preventive Steps

    • Owners can't always prevent the conditions that cause unpleasant odors in older dogs, but they can avert some of the causes by paying attention to the dog's diet and hygiene. Have the dog checked on a regular basis by a veterinarian, preferably one who knows the dog and can detect changes from one visit to the next. Ask the vet to check the dog's breath and teeth. Request that the vet recommend good-quality easily-digestible food for the dog. Monitor the dog's eating habits to ensure that he eats regularly and with a good appetite. Brush the dog's teeth nightly with a specially-formulated toothpaste for dogs. Encourage the dog to exercise her jaws and clean her teeth by giving her safe hard chewing toys and good-quality treats. Observe to see if there is a discharge or odor from the dog's ears--if an owner catches an ear infection in its initial stages, he can flush the dog's ears with a 50 percent vinegar to 50 percent water mixture a few times, and this may sometimes ward off an oncoming infection.