If your Malamute has been smelling bad, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you six common reasons why Malamutes do it and what you can do about it.
Your Malamute might actually be doing it for a number of different reasons and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main causes and there are many things you can do about them.
Why Your Malamute Might Smell Bad
Below are six possible causes and what would make them more likely to be the main reason.
Health problems
There are a number of health problems that can be associated with bad smells.
If your Malamute has bad breath then it could be due to kidney failure or diabetes. It’s normal for a dog’s breath to be slightly smelly but if it’s very bad then it could be due to health reasons.
Bad breath can also be caused by diseased teeth and gums. Diseased teeth and gums can also cause increased drooling which might get caught in its fur which can cause it to become even more smelly.
Bacterial infections in the ears can make them smell bad as well. It will often be accompanied by lots of head shaking, flatulence some is normal but lots may be due to intestine problems
There might also be problems with the anal sacs. They are two small scent sacs located in the area of the anus and are types of marking glands. When a dog poos the sacs will normally get squeezed and release a smelly oily secretion. If a dog is scared or excited the glands can secrete the oily substance onto its fur. Your vet can show you how to check the anal sacs yourself and even how to empty them.
If you think that there might be health problems that are causing the bad smell then you should take your Malamute to the vet and get it checked out. Also, if it has not been to the vet for a checkup recently, now would be a good time to take it.
It’s been rolling around in smelly things
It’s common for Malamutes to roll around in the grass but when it does it regularly it can cause it to stay smelly for most of the time. If your Malamute has a habit of rolling around in the grass and it smells then you might want to take measures to reduce that kind of behavior. I have written about how to do that in the past here.
Malamutes are also known to roll in other things such as mud or dirt. To prevent this you can try to limit how much it can access these sorts of things, you can make sure that there are not dirty things such as poop in your backyard and you can try training your Malamute to come to you when you call it.
It’s been in water
Another possible reason why your Malamute has suddenly become smelly is that it might have recently been in water. If it’s been raining or if your Malamute has been swimming in a lake or pool then it can cause your Malamute’s fur to become smelly especially if the water was dirty.
To get rid of the smell here you can clean it so that the dirty water doesn’t get a chance to dry on your Malamute’s coat and you can avoid letting it inside until you have dried it off.
Yeast infections
Yeast is a common issue for Malamutes and other dogs and it will often come with a bad smell. Smelly paws or ears are usually a sign of yeast infections. If your Malamute is scratching its paws or ears on a regular basis then this could be the cause and you should take it to the vet.
Skin infections
Another cause of a bad odor could be due to skin infections. If your Malamute is regularly itching itself it has thinning hair or it has red and flaking skin then this could be the cause.
Bad diet
Another cause of your Malamute smelling could be due to a bad diet. A bad diet can cause it to have bad breath and to have increased flatulence. A bad diet would be more likely if it has started smelling bad since a change in its diet.
If you think that diet might be to blame then you should consult with a vet and ask them to help you to improve your Malamute’s diet.
Ways to improve your Malamute’s smell
Below are some options you have when dealing with your Malamute smelling bad.
Improve its dental health
Since bad breath is a common cause of bad odors in dogs one of the things that you can do is to improve your Malamute’s dental health.
You can do this by giving it bones and chews to chew on that help to reduce plaque, you can make sure to give it annual health cleanings and you can even brush its teeth yourself.
You should also take steps to make sure that there are no problems with its teeth or gums by taking it to the vets.
Keep it dry
When your Malamute gets wet it can cause it to become smelly and it can lead to infections. This is why you should make sure to clean its skin and ears after it gets wet. You should also check its ears periodically to check for infections.
Change its diet
Since a bad diet can cause Malamutes to smell bad, it would help take measures to ensure that your Malamute’s diet is how it should be. The best way to do this would be to ask your vet when you see them next.
Clean it
One way to keep your Malamute smelling nice is to bathe and groom it regularly. By doing this you will be able to keep its fur smelling fresh and free of odor. By grooming it you’ll also be able to remove loose fur which could be increasing its smell.
Bear in mind that Malamute and other types of dogs will still be a bit smelly after bathing them but this is due to its coat being wet and should go away after you dry it.
Get it to stop rolling in smelly things
Since one cause of your Malamute’s smell is likely to be due to rolling around once measure you can take is to get it to stop doing so.
You can do this by training it to come to you on command, giving it exercise, keeping it cool and giving it things to keep it occupied.
Ask your vet
If you cannot figure out why your Malamute has been smelling bad, it has been smelling bad for a long time or it seems like there could be a medical cause, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular Malamute and to rule out the possibility of medical causes.