Six Ways to Keep Your Dog Smelling Fresh

By Linda Cole

Dogs don't care what they smell like. If they can find something stinky to roll in outside, in their mind, it's an interesting and rewarding experience. Hmm…it’s not so rewarding for us, however. Since I work from home and am with my dogs all the time, doggy odor is not a smell I notice, but I know it is noticeable to other people. There are some tricks you can do in between baths to help keep your dog smelling fresh and less offensive to people who might not appreciate your dog's smell. You can have company over, and still enjoy your dog!

Feed a quality dog food like CANIDAE to help tackle doggie smell from the inside out. CANIDAE has Yucca Schidigera Extract in it, which helps reduce bad breath and foul smelling stools. To help keep your dog's breath smelling fresh, CANIDAE Snap-Bits® and Snap-Biscuit® dog treats contain peppermint. Diet plays such an important role in our dog's good health, and lesser quality foods can contribute to how a dog's skin and coat feels and smells. A high quality pet food is more cost effective in the long run, because your dog doesn't have to eat as much to get all the nutrients he needs, and he eats less.

Dog or baby wipes are quick and easy to use. Both are gentle on your dog's skin and will help to deodorizer him. Avoid using the wipes around the eyes, however. I prefer using the wipes made for dogs, but in a pinch, the baby cleansers are a good alternative if you need to freshen up your pup's smell. Both are also handy to keep in the car to clean up muddy feet before they can track up your backseat. Vinegar and water is another good deodorizer for dogs. Fill a spray bottle with about a third vinegar and the rest water. Shake it up and then mist on your dog. The vinegar won't harm him and it will get rid of those doggie smells. Make sure you don't spray the mixture in his eyes or ears. You can also spray the solution on his bedding in between washings to help keep it smelling fresh.

Baking soda or cornstarch works well for giving your dog a dry bath when you don't have time for the real deal. I like to sprinkle it on the dog's coat and then rub it down to their skin. You can use a towel to brush it around and remove any excess, or comb it out. Cornstarch can also be used to help stop a bleeding toenail that was cut too short.

Keep your dog brushed. I've never found a dog that didn't love the attention and a good brushing after they've had a chance to get used to a comb or brush. If your dog isn't too keen at first about sitting still for a brushing, keep working at it because it's a great way to strengthen your bond, and it's good for their coat and skin. Brushing removes dander and dirt, and helps remove unpleasant odors. Plus, it helps to keep loose hair off of your furniture, bed and floors.

Wash their bedding regularly. If a dog spends a lot of time on his bed or on a throw on the couch, it collects his doggie smell and he will pick up the smell when he lies down. You may not notice it, but anyone who comes to your home will. Regularly washing your dog's bedding will eliminate unwanted smells from the house and help to keep your dog smelling clean.

Keep your dog's teeth and ears clean. If you haven't been in the habit of brushing your dog's teeth, now is a good time to start. It take just a few minutes to give their teeth a good brushing. Good dental hygiene helps to keep your pet healthy by preventing gingivitis, and it keeps his breath fresh. If your dog has smelly ears, you need to make sure the odor isn't due to a yeast infection or ear mite infestation. Both are treatable, but you will need to take your dog to the vet for treatment. Caring for your dog's dirty ears isn't time consuming, and you can quickly clean them with mineral oil or baby oil. Use cotton balls and gently clean each ear. Don't use cotton swabs to clean the ear canal. It's easy to go too far and damage the eardrum, and if your dog has an infection or mites, you may actually do more damage trying to clean the ear canal.

Your dog may not ever smell like a bed of roses (he is a dog, after all!), but these six tips will help to keep doggie odor at bay.

Photo by alasam

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