Dogs are often smelly, but they usually smell like dogs. The problem with a dog that smells of poop is that it’s not always clear what is causing the odor. There are many things that could be going on, and it’s important to figure out what is causing your pup to stink so you can fix the problem for good!
Why Does My Dog Smell of Poop?
There are many potential reasons why your dog might smell like poop. Some of the most common causes include:
Poor hygiene
This is probably the most obvious reason for a dog that smells like poop. If your pup isn’t getting clean enough, they’re going to start stinking up the place!
Make sure you’re giving them a thorough bath at least once per month and that you’re using the right product for their fur type. If your pup has an oily coat, make sure you use shampoo designed specifically for dogs with oily coats. Also, be aware of all of the places on your dog where poop can get stuck – between their toes is one culprit.
You can also use wipes that are designed to clean the face, ears, and other areas where poop and debris might accumulate.
Diet
A change in diet can also cause a dog to start smelling like poop. If your pup is suddenly eating something new, it might not be digesting it properly and the smell of feces will be stronger as a result.
If you think that your dog’s diet might be causing their bad breath, try switching them back to their old food for a few days and see if the smell goes away. If it does, you’ve identified the problem!
Poor Digestion
If your dog is having trouble digesting its food properly, that will also lead to a poop-smelling pup. This might be caused by something as simple as a change in diet, or it could be due to a more serious issue like a stomach infection.
A probiotic can help to improve your dog’s digestion and might help to get rid of the poop smell. If you’re not sure what probiotic is best for your pup, talk to your vet. There are many over-the-counter options as well as prescription probiotics.
If your dog is constantly vomiting or has diarrhea, it’s important to take it to the vet for a check-up. There could be an underlying health problem that’s causing their digestion issues and needs to be treated.
Bad Teeth
Another potential reason why your dog might smell like poop is that it has bad teeth. If their teeth are infected or decaying, that will produce an unpleasant odor.
If you think your dog’s bad breath might be caused by dental problems, make an appointment with the vet for a check-up. They can examine your pup’s mouth and tell you what needs to be done to get rid of the smell.
Infection
An infection can also cause a dog to smell like poop. This might be an infection in their ears, lungs, or intestines.
If your pup is showing any other signs of illness – such as lethargy, weight loss, or a lack of appetite – take them to the vet for a check-up. There could be an infection causing the bad smell, and it needs to be treated.
Medical Condition
There are a few medical conditions that can cause a dog to smell like poop. Liver disease, kidney failure, and Cushing’s Disease are all examples of conditions that could lead to an increase in feces odor.
Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell of Poop?
If your dog’s breath smells like poop, it’s important to take it to the vet for a check-up. There could be an underlying health problem that’s causing the bad smell, and it needs to be treated.
Some of the most common causes of poop-smelling breath in dogs include:
- Poor hygiene
- Diet
- Poor digestion
- Bad teeth
- Infection
- Medical conditions
In addition to these causes, there is a much more straightforward reason why your dog’s breath smells like poop. This may be happening because your dog is eating poop.
They may eat their own stool, or they may be eating another animal’s stool.
This is a problem that needs to be dealt with immediately because it can lead to parasites and intestinal problems.
If you think your dog has this habit, make sure to monitor it when you’re outside on a walk, in the backyard, or at a dog park. This way, you can catch it and correct their behavior.
You can also make sure to more regularly clean up the dog feces that accumulates in your back yard. It is more harmful to dogs to eat old feces than fresh feces since they have more bacteria and parasites in them.
So the sooner you can get rid of the poop in the yard, the better for your dog’s health.
Why Does My Dog’s Bottom Smell of Poop?
Here are the 3 main reasons why your dog’s bottom smells like poop:
Anal Sacs
If the smell is specifically coming from your dog’s bottom, there is a good chance that they have an infection in their anal glands.
These glands (also known as anal sacs) are located on either side of the anus and produce a smelly substance that lubricates the rectum for elimination.
If these glands become blocked or infected, the smell will be much stronger than normal.
Anal gland problems are usually easy to treat with a trip to the vet. However, they can also become infected and abscessed if left untreated for too long.
If your pup has an anal gland infection or problem that’s causing it to smell like poop, it needs to be treated by the vet immediately. If you see any signs of irritation around your dog’s anus, or if they are constantly scooting their bottom on the ground, it is likely that they have an anal gland issue.
Gas
Another reason why your dog’s bottom smells like poop is because of its diet.
If they’re eating a lot of foods that are high in fiber, it can lead to more gas and flatulence. This means more farting – which will have an unpleasant smell on its own – and more stools that are filled with gas bubbles.
Foods like beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, soybeans, etc. can all lead to this problem because of their high fiber content. These foods aren’t easily digestible by your pup’s body (or humans!), so they end up fermenting inside the intestines.
This fermentation leads to an increase in gas production, which means more farting and stools that are filled with bubbles. It also means a stronger smell of feces coming from your dog’s bottom.
Leftover Stool
Sometimes, the smell in your dog’s bottom is simply because they have feces stuck on their anus.
The feces may get caught on the hair as it comes out, or it may stick to the skin around the anus.
If your dog has poop stuck on its bottom, you can try to gently wipe it off with a wet cloth. Be careful not to push the feces further up into the rectum, as this can cause more irritation and discomfort.
If your dog’s feces is attached to hair, you can try to cut the hair off around the anus with scissors. This will help to keep the area clean and free of feces. If the hair is coming from inside the anus, be careful not to pull it out too quickly.
If your dog is pooping hair with pieces of feces dangling off of it, it may be wrapped around the intestines. If you pull it out too quickly, you could cause your pup a good deal of pain and discomfort.
How to Get My Dog to Stop Smelling of Poop?
If Your Dog Has an Anal Gland Infection:
If your dog has an infection in its anal glands, it will need to be treated by a veterinarian.
The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection, and may also suggest a topical cream or ointment to help soothe the area.
If Your Dog Has Gas:
If your dog’s gas is causing it to smell like poop, you can try switching their food to a diet that is lower in fiber. You can also give them digestive enzymes to help them break down the food better.
If Your Dog Has Poop Stuck on Its Bottom:
If your dog has poop stuck on its bottom, you can try gently wiping it off with a wet cloth. Be careful not to push the feces further up into the rectum. You can also try cutting the hair off around the anus with scissors. This will help to keep the area clean and free of feces.
If Your Dog Has Diarrhea:
If your dog has diarrhea, it will likely smell worse than normal stools do normally because of the excess moisture in their stool. You may need to clean around your pup’s anus more often while they have diarrhea, and you should also keep them on a diet of bland foods.
Make sure that your dog has a regular supply of freshwater, since diarrhea can also cause it to become dehydrated.
Dogs that have diarrhea are more susceptible to infections in their anus, so it’s important to keep the area clean and dry.
You should avoid using any kind of cream or ointment around your dog’s bottom while they have diarrhea because the moist environment will encourage bacterial growth.
If Your Dog Is Eating Poop:
If your dog is eating its own poop, you will need to regularly supervise it to help prevent the behavior. They may also be doing this because they are lacking nutrients in their daily diet, so you may want to consider adding a supplement to their food.
You can also try spraying your dog’s poop with a product called Bitter Apple. This will make the poop taste bad and hopefully discourage your pup from eating it again.
If Your Dog Is Dirty:
If your dog is dirty, it may simply smell like poop because of the mud and dirt that is stuck to its fur. They may also have excessive bacterial growth in their folds and wrinkles, which will also cause them to smell.
You can bathe your pooch with a gentle shampoo that is designed for dogs or cats, and avoid using fragrances of any kind. You should also be sure that the area around their anus is thoroughly cleaned whenever you give your dog a bath. This goes double if they are having issues with anal gland infections or diarrhea.
You can give your dog a dry bath by using a baby wipe or a cloth that has been dampened with warm water. Be sure to clean the entire area, including in between their wrinkles.
If Your Dog Has Bad Teeth:
If your dog has bad teeth, it will likely smell of rotting food. This is because the bacteria in their mouth are breaking down the food particles and causing them to rot.
You should take your pup to the vet for a dental cleaning and check-up. The vet may also prescribe antibiotics if they find that your dog has an infection.
There are supplements and treats that can help to reduce the amount of plaque and bacteria in your dog’s mouth, but it is important to consult with your vet before giving them to your pet.