Home Remedies for Stinky Dogs

There are many reasons why your dog may have an unpleasant smell. Sometimes your dog has rolled around in something dirty. Other times she may have a medical condition that is causing the foul odor. Identify where the odor is coming from. Check her coat, ears, mouth and rear end.

  1. Bathing Your Dog

    • You should not bathe your dog more than once every three months. However, during the summer, you may need to bath her more frequently, and especially if he exercises a lot outdoors, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After playing outside, use a cold damp wash cloth to remove dirt from his coat. Prior to bathing your dog, brush him. According to Natural Dog Health Remedies, you can add a blend of the following essential oils, two drops of citronella oil, three drops of lemon oil and seven drops of peppermint oil, to 8 oz. of natural shampoo. This shampoo blend will leave your dog smelling clean and repels bugs, including fleas. Shampoo, lather, rinse and always thoroughly dry her with a towel.

    Skunk Spray

    • If your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, wash her coat with natural shampoo, rinse, and dry her coat with a towel. Generously apply tomato paste all over the head of your dog; be careful not to get anything in her eyes, ears or nose. Pour plenty of tomato juice on her coat; you may need to do this twice, if the smell is still there, rinse, and towel dry her coat.

    Bad Canine Breath

    • You can brush your dog's teeth with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice, according to Natural Dog Health Remedies. Gently brush the dog's teeth with a dog toothbrush, every day for two minutes.

    Paw Odor

    • Trim your dog's nails when needed, gently scrub his nails with natural shampoo and a toothbrush, to remove any debris.

    Dog Ear Odor

    • Clean your dog's ear by soaking a cotton ball with canine ear cleaning solution. Remove any excess solution from the cotton ball, and gently clean the dog's inner ear flap, avoid going into the ear canal.

    Canine Gas

    • Severe gas in dogs can be treated with pancreatic enzyme supplements, simethicone or zinc acetate, according to Pet MD. Always consult with your veterinarian to ensure that the gas is not a result of a medical condition and for appropriate dosage of treatment. Feed your dog a highly digestible diet to prevent gas.

    Dog Anal Gland

    • A dog could be suffering from anal gland problems if he has a strong odor in this area. Scooting across the floor or pain when going to the bathroom are other indications of a gland problem, according to the Dog Health Guide. If this is the case, take your dog to the veterinarian. If your dog has diarrhea, he may have some left on his rear, gently wipe it off with a damp wash cloth.