Why Do Wet Dogs Equal Stinky Dogs?
A Young Golden Retriever Puppy Wet from Swimming
Whether it’s swimming or bathing, have you ever wondered why wet dogs equal stinky dogs? The answer might disgust you, so be prepared!
Small Wet Brown Puppy Floating in a Pool
Why Dogs Stink When Wet
When dogs become wet, that stinky smell is triggered by the excrement of living microbes on your dog! (Sorry, but we did warn you!)
Jennifer Schissler, DVM, explains, “The smell on the skin of dogs is a result of normal microorganisms that live on the healthy skin and hair of dogs. These organisms produce volatile chemical by-products. When your dog gets wet and as she dries, evaporation ensues and releases these volatile compounds into the air so you can smell them more readily.”
Thankfully, when these same waste compounds are dry, there is little to no scent from the bacteria, fungi and yeast.
Does Stinky Mean Trouble?
No, these microorganisms are normal and actually helpful in maintaining and protecting your dog’s healthy skin. It is estimated that there are typically 350-16,500 bacteria per square centimeter of dog and that’s nothing compared to our own 100 trillion microbes living on and inside the human body!
THE Stinkiest Breeds When Wet!
Chinese Shar-Pei Puppy
Double-coated breeds like the Shetland Sheepdog, Chow Chow, Samoyed, Collie, Border Collie and more!
Breeds with prominent skin folds like the Chinese Shar-Pei and Pug.
Dogs who drool such as the Bloodhound, St. Bernard, Mastiff and Newfoundland.
How to Minimize the Stink
Small Brown and Black Dog Being Bathed in a Tub
Dog parents can minimize the stinky-when-wet odor by promoting faster drying times by:
Regularly and thoroughly brushing your dog.
Trimming your dog’s fur and
Drying your dog thoroughly and completely.
While dog shampoos, conditioners and sprays can help mask that stinky, wet dog odor, it’s almost impossible to prevent or eliminate this naturally-occurring smell! But the good news is that your dog probably doesn’t mind!