Dog smell

[chazza]

Do dogs get smellier as they get older?
We have an aging short haired lab cross (mainly labrador) and we've noticed that recently she's started to smell more.

We keep her beds clean and wash them regularly, but are aware that she shouldn't be washed that often as it is bad for her skin. Ideally she'd need washed on a daily basis which we don't want to do!

What can we do to make her a bit more pleasant smelling? Someone suggested taking her swimming in the lake but any time she is there or in the rain it gets worse!

[wolf63]

Is she maybe leaking urine? Is she neutered - it may be a 'lady' smell.

My old cat was the same and the smell was coming from his gums. It was enough to knock people out - good job I loved him.

As you say - wet dog smell is awful and won't really help and washing her would make her pong more.

Get the vet to check her over to see there is anything wrong that may be causing the odour.

I hope that there is something that you can do to improve it. Maybe some of the other ABers can give more constructive help.

[jules77]

There are a number of reasons why a dog would smell, and there isnt much worse than a wet dog smell either. When mine get wet I dry them with a microfibre towel, and with the oils in their coat, they dry fairly quickly without leaving a bad smell around the place.

If you have eliminated any illness, and anal gland problems, bad breath, ears etc, she shouldnt need bathing more than every six months. Is she groomed regularly? You can also get some very pleasant smelling grooming sprays, I use one that smells like baby powder, and the smell lasts for weeks.

http://www.petcetera.co.uk/acatalog/COLOGNES.h tml

[BeatySwalls]

when animals get older they have secretions from there orifices. This means this is an action for you. Clothes line pegs work placed on the end of the nasal cavity or failing that just try think happy thoughts when you smell it?

hope this sincerely helps

[paraffin]

Can't say I've ever noticed. Maybe we've been lucky?

Nothing I can add to the sound advice already given out. I just wanted to wish you and your old gel the best of British.

[lilacben]

I am having trouble with my 11 year old bitch, rough collie. She constantly smells of wee. The thing is when she has a wee she is almost sat on the ground so therefore it spreads onto her fur. And being as she has a lot of fur it holds the smell. Bathed her last sunday but by monday the stale smell of wee was back.

[Redrum]

Yes Im afraid the older the dog gets the more they smell ! There could be a number of reasons, as she is a female has she been spayed ? She could have cystits, have her waterworks checked as this can cause a fishy odour in bitches as she may be leaking small amounts of urine.
Check her ears, labs are prone to very sweaty ears due to the way their ears hang they dont get fresh air circulating and can easily build up bacterial infections.
An older dog has a build up of oils in its coat, therefore you should groom her more - have her coat checked for scurf as also she could have a skin infection and that can cause a very ripe stench !
One other thing, do you feed wet or dry food ? Try changing her food, or giving a multi vitamin tablets or cod liver to improve her coat.
Check her teeth and gums also as bad breath can also add to the whiff.

[jules77]

Lilacben, I have roughs, and one has hair almost touching the floor even before she squats down. If you spray your bitch's furnishings/trousers with some plush puppy sea breeze oil, the urine wont cling to the fur. You only need a very very small amount. You could also use some baby powder on her trousers when grooming.

[lilacben]

Jules thankyou. and chazza sorry for coming in on your post. Just one thing where can I get plush puppy sea breeze oil from.? looked on the site you gave but cannot find it. many thanks

[jules77]

Apologies Chazza.

Here you to Lilacben

http://www.plushpuppy.co.uk/seabreeze_oil.html

You may want to try the rinseless shampoo for in between baths, as I only have the need to bath with water once or twice year.

[chazza]

Hi
Thanks for all your answers
Yes she has been spayed, it's not "wee" kind of smell, it's just like a dirty dog smell! Neither is it a wet dog smell, which I actually don't mind (weirdo)

She's on dry dog food, unfortunately she's a very fussy eater and we can only find one make she likes so we're reluctant to change her food.

Her breath is bad but I can put up with that, her ears are fine as I checked them yesterday - cleaner than most peoples'!
I'll definitely ask the vet what the right thing to do would be next time we're there!

[Beanmistriss]

my labs ears used to smell like birdseed. I miss him :o)