Choosing the Best Dog Shampoo for Odor
Although we often think of dogs as having a “doggy odor,” in fact dogs should not be stinky. A clean dog smells like a clean dog. If your dog has an odor then he may have a bacterial or yeast infection affecting his skin. Otherwise, if he is smelly then he is probably just dirty or he’s been rolling in something that smells bad. In either case, a good bath will take care of the problem.
Dog Shampoos for Skin Odor Due to Infections
If your dog smells bad, even after a regular bath, then your dog may have a skin odor that is due to a skin infection. A bacterial infection can grow from the bacteria that are normally on your dog’s skin. This is not contagious to other dogs. If your dog has skin allergies the bacteria may multiply and a bad odor can accompany them. Other symptoms of skin problems may include hair loss in patches, shedding, and scaling on the skin.
Dogs can also have skin infections due to yeast infections. This leads to a red, itchy skin that is greasy. It also has a bad odor. This kind of skin infection can also accompany allergies.
If your dog has one (or both) of these skin infections, you will need to work with your veterinarian on the underlying problems. You can use shampoos that contain Benzoyl Peroxide or Chlorhexidine to help the skin condition and get rid of the odor, but you may have to shampoo often. Talk to your vet about which medicated shampoos are best for your dog.
Dog Shampoos for Ordinary Bad Odor
If your dog smells bad because he is dirty or because he has been rolling in something that smells bad, you can use a good shampoo with natural ingredients. You don’t have to use a strong shampoo. Look for a shampoo that has a low pH that is suitable for a dog’s skin. A dog’s skin has a lower pH than a human’s skin which is why you shouldn’t use human shampoo on your dog. Most human shampoos are also too harsh for your dog’s skin, including baby shampoos.
Avoid shampoos that have sulfates and other harsh ingredients. These shampoos can strip the natural oils from your dog’s coat. The natural oils protect your dog’s skin. You only need to remove the dirt and odors attached to the fur, not the dog’s layer of skin oil.
One good product line of natural shampoos, conditioners, and other products is Happy Tails. They have a set of products to make your dog smell good here: http://www.happytailsspa.com/SmellyDog.html Their Bubble ‘N Beads Shampoo and Conditioner contains natural ingredients such as lavender, honeysuckle, and aloe to make your dog smell good. Sparkle & Shine Shampoo contains yogurt, honey, vanilla, and flax seed. It is their gentlest formula, gentle enough even for puppies.
Both of these shampoos have a gentle coconut oil base.
Happy Tails products are sold in dog spas and grooming shops in many countries around the world and they have many happy clients. They are gentle and effective products with a good reputation.
Conclusion
Most dogs only smell bad temporarily. They may get dirty or roll in something stinky. It is easy to get them clean and smelling nice by bathing them in a shampoo that will make them smell better such as the ones discussed here. If your dog has a longterm bad odor then you should talk to your vet about possible skin problems or skin infections. There are shampoos that can help skin infections and your vet can recommend some good medicated shampoos
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