Alaskan Malamute Odour

[laminas]

I have a 2 year old Malamute. He goes to the dog wash once a fortnight and I have noticed in recent months that he is starting to smell again within two or so days after washing and his overal smell is much worse.  We have never really had an issue with his odour before.  When he was younger and even up to 18 moths old our dog washer used to comment about how little he smelled compared to other malamutes she bathed.

I don't think he has a bad diet, he gets dry food, chicken frames, raw meat bones and occasionally those meat and vege rolls.  He is well brushed and has a very healthy looking coat.  

I have heard people say the Malamutes can smell and wondering if this is a problem malamute have once they mature.

I would love to know of any sollutions or ideas for controlling his odour.  I don't want to bath him any more than fortnightly as I didn't think frequent bathing was all that good for them.  I just today bought a deoderiser for him that you spray on and brush through but again, I don't feel too good about spraying products into his coat regularly.

[Beth0803]

That makes a lot of sense.  My boy is 7 months old and has the same problem.  He swims in our swimming pool almost every day & I thought that would help but it does not at all.  He can really smell good after he's bathed & 2 days later, he's funky again (almost as soon as he starts swimming).  Is there anything (spray, deodorizer, etc) that anyone has had luck with?  I can bath him at home & he still stinks.  I guess that is because I let him air dry.

[bodeyboy]

If your puppy has a terrible sour odor..it might be due to moisture at the undercoat layer...You know when you forget a clean load of laundry in the washer (especially in warm weather) it goes sour and smell really bad...well this is what I beleive this awful stink is coming from.  Ask your groomer.  Now I understand why my groomer insists on "drying out his coat for close to an hour.  

[bodeyboy]

Ah...here's what I think it could be ( I have a 9 mo old Mal and he reeks of sour odor...real bad)  when they get wet at the undercoat the moisture stays and they heat up...you know how when you forget a clean load of laundry and it goes sour?  well that is what I think is happening.  Now I understand why my groomer insists on drying him out for over an hour.  Let me know if this makes since to you.

[zman4]

  
         I have a six year old female mal and she is so beautiful but she exhibits the
same symptoms.  I think it is worse when she sheds in the summer.  I think maybe
the humidity here in southern Ohio has something to do with it.  My vet suggested a
bath in her recipe for removing bad smell:

                                      1 quart peroxide
                                       1/4 cup baking soda
                                       1 tsp dish soap

                  I tried this and it works for a couple days then the smell returns.
I'm frustrated because mals are supposed to be less odorous than other dogs!
Haave you found a solution yet?

[malliemum]

hi i have a 8 month old huskamute and recently adopted a 4 year old malamute, and she stinks too.lol have given him 3 baths in 2 weeks to try get the smell out but to no avail.he is on a very good food witch we put him on since geting him so know that isnt an issue but he smells like stinky feet and stinky dog, not nice.. any idea's guys,

[laminas]

Sorry if this answer seems lame or vague but his smell, I would think, is a typical dog smell. Just a very strong smell.  I guess my main concern is why he is starting to smell so soon after bathing and why the odour is now so very strong.  There is nothing unusual about the smell that he may be picking up for the outside environment, just dog smell.

Because of his thick undercoat, he takes longer to dry after baths and for this reason, we also keep him indoors when it rains.  It's a different smell to when dogs damp or wet.

I thought there may have been a natural or homemade remedy out there that someone may use on their own stinky dog.  

[Misfits4Me]

Can you describe the smell? What does it smell like? Does itching go along with this?
Just curious......

[laminas]

Hi, I'm in Australia and the dry food he gets is called Supercoat.  Its primary ingredient is meat or meat by products.  I try to avoid the dry food thats primary ingredient is cereals and grains.
Thanks for the suggestion.  

I think I may just have to get used to cuddling a smelly dog :)

[Gothdrac]

Hi I have a malamute and had a few more, and the only thing I can think of that could be causing this is yeast. Malamutes do not need bathing so often,  and when they are they need completely drying. That thick coat holds on to water like a sponge and if it lays against the skin it can lead to all sorts of bacterial infections and hotspots, which you might not even notice through the thick fur. My big old girl is nearly 15 years old now and she has a bath about every six months,  rinseless shampoo and a good rub with a towel in between, and she never smells. I used to bath her more often but it caused open sores which I had to take her to the vet for. So firstly I’d try anti yeast shampoo at the next bath then make sure the fur is thoroughly dry and try to keep an eye on the skin. Feet are another matter, Frito feet is quite common, especially if they like puddles etc, you can wash feet in a bowl of warm water with a little hibiscrub. Make sure you dry thoroughly between the toes and pads, if needed a little anti yeast cream or powder works wonders.

[lindapalm]

What type of dry food is he on?  I would try switching, you have nothing to lose.  I would try something grain free, like Evo or Orijen, and see what happens.