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2217782 tn?1394363972

Someone cure my smelly pooch!

Hello all,

I have a Black Labrador (Alfie) who just turned 9 this month. He is largely a house dog when he is not frolicking out the back garden or out on walks.
We do not like to wash him too often as we do not want to strip his coat of it's natural oils which are good for him and gives him a beautiful shine - BUT he is so smelly!

He's due for another wash tomorrow. I think part of the problem is that he has a fabric bed, a kind of suede material. When we first got him it he could not get comfortable in it until he had licked just about every inch of it. I believe it carries most of the odour. It gets washed too but it's not long before it gets smelly again.
Tomorrow I am going out to get him a new hard plastic bed with new bedding that can be more easily and regularly washed. This means the hard plastic can be wiped and cleaned out regularly too.

I hope it works, but does anyone else have any suggestions for why I have such a stinky dog and how to prevent it!?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
7 Responses
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2217782 tn?1394363972
Thank you all very much for your replies.
I got him a new bed yesterday and washed him, he smells a lot better, nice and fresh. He has a good coat, no dryness and no hair loss so I don't think it's mange. Our pet store has a huge range of pet shampoos ect so I think I'll take your advice and purchase something specifically to treat his smell.

In the meantime I'll just make the most of my smell free pooch! I'll let you guys know if any of your suggestions worked! Thanks again!
Helpful - 0
974371 tn?1424653129
Agree with Karla.  On an aside, have you changed his food at all?
I would try an anti bacterial shampoo but first I think I would "try" the oatmeal or aloe Vera shampoo and rinse thoroughly.  Then dilute some apple cider vinegar in warm water, apply that, let it sit for about 5 mins then rinse well and blow dry or dry with a cotton towel.  I would also try replacing the bedding with an all cotton material.  As it dies not sound like an emergency, I think I would try that.
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Sorry about the double post......Not sure what happened!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Welcome to the forum....Healthy dogs should not have an odor!!! I would suspect either a bacterial or yeast infection......Both of these have an odor to them.....You might try a anti-bacterial & anti-fungal shampoo for his baths.......A good one can be purchased at your Vet's, but you can buy them OTC at any pet store......

If there is hair loss or dry patches associated with the odor, then Mange comes to mind.....It has a distinct sour odor that is unforgettable......Karla

P.S. Please, do not use fabric softener on him or any of his linens......Fabric softener is toxic to animals & humans.......

Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Welcome to the forum....Healthy dogs should not have an odor!!! I would suspect either a bacterial or yeast infection......Both of these have an odor to them.....You might try a anti-bacterial & anti-fungal shampoo for his baths.......A good one can be purchased at your Vet's, but you can buy them OTC at any pet store......

If there is hair loss or dry patches associated with the odor, then Mange comes to mind.....It has a distinct sour odor that is unforgettable......Karla

P.S. Please, do not use fabric softener on him or any of his linens......Fabric softener is toxic to animals & humans.......

Helpful - 0
3135744 tn?1342664666
Have you had him to the vet?  Sometimes sickness will carry an odor with them.  I don't know if he is up to date on his shots, but parvo will make your dog have an odor.  I would try the aloe and oatmeal bath first to see if that helps any.  You may need to bath him at least once a week until you get it under control.  You can also try asking you pet saloon what they would suggest.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
bathe him in some aloe and oatmeal shampoo and then in between baths you can use a good smelling fabric softner sheet that you use in the dryer. it's suppose to also collect loose hair and it makes them smell nice a pretty. hope this helps!!!
Helpful - 0
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