My Dog Smells Like Something Dead

The reason why your dog smells like something dead may be a hygiene issue. Although it can seem obvious, being dirty for a prolonged period of time will eventually lead to a bad smell developing. This is exacerbated if they come in contact with a substance which already has a foul odor. Origins of these smells can be found in dirt, grass, feces, other animals or even synthetic substances.

Bad smells are more common in dogs which have better access to nature. Dogs love to run around in the outdoors, often wallowing in mud or grass which can be the origin of the bad smell. Becoming wet in the rain or jumping in a body of water can exacerbate the intensity. Walking dogs in urban or suburban environments will not provide as much opportunity to encounter these bad smells, unless they have access to a park or similar area.

Each dog's hygiene needs will differ according to the individual. Dogs with a lot of outdoor access in nature generally need to be bathed or washed more often. Some dogs have diseases such as various skin conditions which will also affect the amount they need bathing. It is important to know it is normal for dogs to have some odor. We should not over-bathe them, nor should we use perfumes or shampoos which are too strong.

What to do if my dog is very dirty

If your dog's fur is particularly dirty and has a stronger smell than usual, the solution is usually to give them a good bath. It is essential to use a specific shampoo for dogs when doing so. This is the only way to ensure the optimal pH of its skin is maintained and to avoid the use of chemicals which can be harsh for canine skin. Human shampoo is usually unsafe for dogs because humans and canines have different hygiene needs.

It is advisable to brush the animal well before bathing to remove knots and superficial dirt. Use warm water and make sure the skin and hair are completely dry as wet hair can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Whether you use a hairdryer will depend on what the dog will allow. Only bathe when necessary, something which will vary depending on the dog's individual needs.

Learn more with our guide asking how often do dogs need baths?

Your dog may smell like something dead all of a sudden because they have come in contact with a dead animal. When animals die, they will start to decompose. Decomposing carcasses release something known as necromones, a byproduct of the rotting process. These types of pheromones alert other animals not to eat them, but dogs may interact transfer their smell to their fur when interacting with carrion.

Canines have certain ritualistic behaviors which can seem confusing or even distasteful to their human guardians. One such ritual is a dog rolling over dead animal remains. While this is poorly understood, it is a normal behavior. It is believed dogs do this to exchange information with others in their environment, either marking their own territory or even trying to hide their smell from some perceived threat.

What to do if a dog rolls on dead animal remains

As we have said, this behavior is normal for a dog. Punishing them after the fact will be counterproductive. Not only is it suppressing a normal canine instinct, but they will often not associate the punishment with the action. This can result in negative behaviors. More advisable is to redirect this behavior with suitable training. You can provide a firm ‘no’ if they are about to carry out the action, but do not punish them.

If your dog is very stubborn or you find it difficult to train them, we recommend you enlist the help of an ethologist or suitable dog trainer. They can assess your dog's specific needs and provide a suitable training regimen for them.

A dog's skin has pores which release substances originating in the endocrine system. While they do not sweat on most of their body, hormones can cause the dog to release sebum and other foul-smelling secretions. These are normal, but some diseases can cause overproduction or even produce additional compounds which make the dog smell like something dead.

Endocrine disorders can result in dermatoses in the dog which have varying symptoms. For example, hyperadrenocorticism (known as Cushing's syndrome in dogs) can result in recurring skin diseases which cause bad odors. Dogs which are immunosuppressed are more prone to skin problems which can result in pyoderma. Sexually intact dogs can produce excess sex hormones^[1]. This can also cause them to develop body odor.

Bacterial skin infections can be secondary to various diseases, especially when their immune system is compromised. The lesions produced by infections can smell like death due to the necrotized tissue. The worse the infection, the worse the smell.

The main skin conditions that can cause bad odor in dogs are the following:

• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Pyodermas
• Other bacterial or fungal infections
• Infection due to contamination of open skin wounds
• Scabies

What to do if my dog has skin disease

If your dog smells like death due to an illness, you should go to the veterinary clinic. Bad odor is not the only symptom that can manifest in a skin pathology. It is not even the most frequent. If your canine suffers from any alteration in their skin or hair, it is more likely that redness, flaking, alopecia or lesions of different types will appear.

Itchy sensations and subsequent scratching can be early indicators of skin diseases in dogs. Due to their underdeveloped immune system, it is common for puppies to keep scratching and itching as a result of skin problems. A vet will perform the suitable dermatological tests to diagnose the problem and provide according treatment.

Dermatological treatments often include the use of oral and topical medications. Bathing with medicated shampoo may also help certain skin problems such as those caused by various external parasites in dogs.

Where a dog's bad smell originates can help us to determine the cause. The aforementioned skin diseases may limit the odor to their skin and coat. When a dog has bad breath, the origin can be from the oral cavity itself, but it can also be a result of a more systemic problem.

Halitosis associated with oral health issues could be a result of tartar buildup, periodontal disease, gingivitis or gingivostomatitis, among others. These diseases often go unnoticed by guardians until a time comes when they become so serious they cause a foul breath that is difficult to ignore.

Although oral problems are the most common diagnosis in these cases, halitosis can also appear when there are systemic diseases such as gastritis, hepatitis, diabetes or kidney failure. A complete examination of the animal is necessary to reach an accurate diagnosis.

What to do if a dog's breath smells like something dead

Lack of dental hygiene and feeding commercial diets causes many dogs to develop oral pathologies over time. This is usually due to the accumulation of bacteria which can be very dangerous for their health. The most effective way to avoid this is to prevent plaque by brushing the dog's teeth regularly with special enzymatic toothpastes, providing dental supplements or regularly offering them dental snacks to remove tartar.

If you have noticed your dog's breath is already very bad, it is important to go the vet. They can assess whether the problem is of dental or systemic origin, administering the appropriate treatment as soon as possible and improving prognosis.

Another common cause of a dog smelling like something dead is also localized, this time to the ear. Otitis is a general term for inflammation of the ear, affecting the ear externally, internally or both. This is often caused by bacterial infections, whether primary or secondary to a skin disorder affecting the ear. Other causes include endocrine disorders, parasites or allergies.

When the ear canal of a dog becomes inflamed, it it tends to produce a serous liquid. When contaminated with dirt, earwax, mites, bacteria or other elements, this fluid can acquire a very unpleasant smell.

Beyond the strong smell, ear infections often cause a lot of discomfort, itching and pain to the animal. We may first observe a problem if they are reluctant to have their ears touched or manipulated. It is also common for the dog to shake their head intensely to relieve the sensation. It is common for a dog to scratch their ears repeatedly, making them vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections as they do so.

What to do if a dog has otitis

If you have observed any symptoms of otitis in dogs, it is important to take them to a veterinarian to carry out a differential diagnosis. They may take a sample of the fluid or run other diagnostic tests to determine the origin of the inflammation.

Once the diagnosis has been made, the appropriate pharmacological treatment will be prescribed. Although most cases of otitis usually resolve without major complications, the treatment can sometimes be prolonged, especially if the animal suffers from a fungal infection or has suffered more serious consequences. These include a ruptured eardrum which can threaten their sense of hearing. For this reason, it is a problem which should never go ignored.

Even in healthy dogs, the production of anal secretions can be accompanied by a bad smell. Anal glands or sacs are glands that are situated to the sides of a dog's anus. The secretions they produce have various uses. One of them is to help with defecation by providing lubrication during excretion of feces. Canine anal secretions also contain pheromones which allow dogs to register information, one of the reasons why dogs smell each other's butts.

Anal sacs should empty themselves without problem. Unfortunately, they are prone to blockages which can make this process difficult. If enough anal fluid becomes backed up, the glands will become impacted. This can lead to painful swelling of the perianal area, something which usually results in the dog compulsively licking their private area or even dragging their rear on the ground to relieve the discomfort.

Impacted anal glands can also result in bacterial infections which are dangerous. In addition to preventing normal defecation, they can result in painful fistulas and abscesses. These can even lead to life-threatening sepsis. The anal fluid of dogs has a strong odor which said to be metallic or fishy smelling, even when healthy. When the glands are impacted, the dog's rear can smell like something dead.

What to do if my dog has anal gland problems

Inadequate drainage of the anal glands is a fairly common and recurring problem, especially in small breeds such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs or Toy Poodles. It is also a problem which can increase in likelihood with age. Senior dogs may be less able to maintain hygiene of the perianal area and predispose themselves to anal gland problems. In these cases, we may need to empty to the dog's anal glands manually.

When anal sacculitis in dogs occurs, it is important to take them to a veterinarian. They can clean the area, drain the glands clinically and provide suitable treatment such as antibiotic ointment. Inflammation can be very painful, so the veterinarian may be able to carry out these procedures with the help of analgesics or even anesthetic in severe cases.

To prevent anal gland problems in dogs, it is advisable to maintain good hygiene in the area, avoid a sedentary lifestyle and provide diets rich in fiber. Carry out regular check-ups at the veterinarian, especially for senior dogs or those otherwise predisposed to anal problems.

In addition to the dog smelling like something dead, there are other specific smells which can help us to determine the cause of the bad odor. Learn more with our articles on why a dog's paws smell like Fritos and why a dog smells like fish.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Smells Like Something Dead, we recommend you visit our Skin problems category.