Let’s get one thing clear. Dogs do not stink. However, they smell a bit doggy. Your dog has a scent that you might get used to it after a while, but some people might not be so fond of it. The strong smell can be caused by a number of factors.
In addition to your dog smelling doggy, he can smell different due to poor health or if he encounters something smelly. So, how to make your dog smell good?
A smelly dog is not appealing, even though he might be the cutest dog in the whole world. Some of the reasons why dogs smell is due to poorly maintained fur, poor hygiene, or because he stepped on his own feces.
With that in mind, no matter how adorable your dog is, you have to make sure he also smells good as well. With that in mind, today, we will talk about some natural and maintenance tricks for how to make your dog smell good.
Natural Tricks and Tips
Chlorophyll
Anyone who has been to a couple of chemistry lessons knows of chlorophyll, a substance essential for photosynthesis. But the substance has more uses and benefits as well. Plants use chlorophyll to make their own food via photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is also the substance that gives plants its green color.
In terms of other functions, chlorophyll is a natural deodorizer. It works by eliminating toxins, bacteria, and fundus from the body. To make your dog smell good, add a bit of liquid chlorophyll to his water. This will reduce the odor-causing bacteria from your dog’s body and make his skin and breath smell much better.
Baking soda
Baking soda is another natural ingredient you can use for how to make your dog smell good. We all know baking soda as one of the most useful ingredients for DIY recipes and solutions in the home.
Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer that works by eliminating bacteria. Do you know the trick of putting baking soda on your armpits to reduce odor and sweating? The same trick applies to your dog.
Brush your dog’s coat to remove impurities and foreign material. Then, work baking soda all through his fur, but be careful not to get it in his eyes. Let the baking soda stay for a few minutes, and then give your dog another good brushing session.
Vinegar
One of the oldest tricks in the playbook for how to make your dog smell good is a vinegar bath. If you do not know this trick, it is time for some enlightenment.
Vinegar works to neutralize the smell. Combine vinegar and water in 1:2 or 1:3 ratio, and then work the mixture onto your dog’s fur. Make sure to rub it thoroughly for 10 minutes.
Rinse well after the treatment. Some people even let the vinegar solution soak into the dog’s skin and evaporate on its own. Do not worry, your dog will not smell like vinegar.
Grooming and Maintenance Tricks and Tips
Feed your dog quality food
Dog smell can be tackled both from the inside out and from the outside. Dog food is another reason why your dog might smell bad. Let’s be honest for a second, there are high-quality foods, premium foods, and low-quality food.
While low-quality food might provide some calories for your doggy friend, they might not provide the nutrients for fresh breath.
Diet plays a huge part in the health of our dog. We mentioned previously that an unhealthy dog will not smell good. High-quality food might be more expensive at first glance, but it is much more cost-effective in the long run.
Utilize baby/dog wipes
While you can use baby wipes to wipe your dog, there are also special dog wipes. Both are quick and easy to use, and gentle enough on your dog’s skin. Use them to deodorize your dog, but avoid using them around the eyes.
If you need to freshen up your puppy’s smell in a second, wipes are handy to keep on hand. Keep some in your car, or when you go for a walk. Make sure to have them ready at home once you come back from a walk as well.
Tooth brushing
It is crucial that you keep your dog’s teeth brushed. That doesn’t mean a toothbrush and toothpaste every day in the morning and in the evening. No, dogs require different ways for brushing. Give your dog crunchy and chewy foods or toys to help him with tooth brushing. Chewy toys or foods will keep the plaque scraped off of his teeth.
Some crunchy foods for this purpose include carrots and apples. Both are safe for consumption, just don’t go over the top. Feeding your dog one pound of carrots per day is an absolutely insane idea. Half a carrot is more than enough.
As for chewy toys, there are just countless of options in a pet store. Try to find some that are durable, and will last for a while. Bear in mind, some dogs are just destructive with toys. They not only want to chew them, but also destroy them completely.
Wash the bedding regularly
How often do you wash your own bedding? Now, how often do you wash the bedding of your dog? A lot of owners make the mistake of not washing the bedding of their dog. If your dog spends a lot of time on his bed, he will collect the doggie smell and pick it up when he lies down.
You might not notice the smell, but people coming to your home will. Wash the bedding on a regular basis, let’s say, once per week or once per two weeks. That will eliminate unwanted smells from the house and keep your dog clean and smelling good.
Clean his ears
We talked about keeping your dog’s teeth clean, but the ears are another area that requires attention. And it takes just a few minutes. You can quickly clean your dog’s ears with mineral or baby oil. Just use cotton balls to clean the ears. Do not use cotton swabs for the ear canal. If your dog has ear mite infection, make sure to take him to the vet.
How to Bathe Your Furry Friend?
Bathing is a specific subject when it comes to bathing your pet. One of the most common questions is how often to bathe your dog? Well, there is no certain answer here. Some vets suggest once a year or twice a year. Others, say you can bathe your dog even once a month with the right shampoo.
The key, in both cases, is to avoid heavily perfumed products that can be too strong for your dog’s coat, but also for his sensitive nose.
In case your dog has a skin condition, you need a medicated shampoo. When you bathe your dog, make sure he is wet. Then, start at the upper part of the dog. Using your second hand, use warm water to rinse shampoo. Be careful with your dog’s eyes and ears.
Vinegar rinse, the one we talked earlier, is a great substitute and alternative for bathing your dog. If you do not want to shampoo your dog too often, and you are afraid of stripping his fur of natural oils, just use vinegar rinse.