How to Get Rid of Dog Smells

Did you know May is National Pet Month? To show some pet appreciation, I’m going to be sharing how to get rid of five common dog smells. Plus, why every dog owner needs our sponsor, Febreze, on hand to help!

I’ve been a dog mom longer than a mom to my kids. Fourteen years and counting so far. Four dogs later and I’ve learned a lot. Especially about how to get rid of dog smells.

Dogs are like kids. They can’t get rid of stinky smells on their own and rely on you to help.

Whether you’re an experienced pet parent or still in the thinking stage, dog smells are a reality. Thankfully I’ve learned some things over the years that will teach you how to get rid of dog smells.

Here are 5 common dog smells and how to get rid of them!

HOW TO GET RID OF DOG SMELL IN YOUR HOUSE

People that visit our house for the first time are often surprised to find out that we have dogs. And three of them at that.

I don’t know about yours, but my dogs are constantly rolling in the grass and otherwise getting dirty. So my first suggestion for getting rid of dog smell in your house is regular bathing. Wash your dog often and the dog’s bedding in hot water.

Clean up dog messes as soon as they happen. I know it’s hard if you’re not home when your dog has an accident, but the sooner you clean up the best the easier it will be to get rid of the dog urine smell.

Wiping up pet messes with paper towels just isn’t enough. You need products that are targeted to remove pet odors.

Two of my favorite pet products are Febreze AIR Heavy Duty Pet Odor Eliminator and Febreze FABRIC Pet Odor Eliminator. I use the Febreze FABRIC on furniture, rugs, and even in the car.

And I use the Febreze AIR everywhere else around the house because it provides 2x more odor-eliminating power for everyday pet smells. Both of these products are available at Petsmart!

I can’t tell you how much I rely on these products. From potty training puppies, visiting and leaving messes to upset tummies, Febreze keeps my house smelling clean and fresh no matter the mess.

Chihuahua sitting in chair with Febreze in background to get rid of dog smells

How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell on Dogs

Contrary to popular belief (and an episode of Curious George), tomato juice does not get rid of the skunk smell. Tomato juice only masks the odor.

To get rid of the skunk smell on your dog, you’ll need to bathe them in a cleaning solution of 1-quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon dish soap. Then follow with an odor reducing dog shampoo.

So Your Dog’s Ears Smell?

After we adopted Bunny, we noticed that Dude’s ears started smelling. When we took him to the vet we found out all of her licking was causing a yeast infection in his ears.

The vet told us that the two most common causes of smelly dog ears are yeast and bacterial infections. To get rid of your dog’s ears smelling, make sure to check your dogs’ ears daily to get ahead of the smell before it starts.

If the ears are already smelly, make an appointment with your vet to get an ear rinse and rule out the need for antibiotics.

Why Does My Dog Smell Fishy?

If your dog smells fishy, the answer to why isn’t pretty. This distinct odor is usually caused by a dog’s anal glands being impacted or blocked anal gland.

To get rid of the fishy smell on your dog, you’ll need to take your dog to a vet to have them expressed (aka drained). You can also DIY it, but not something I’ve ever had a desire to do.

Why Does My Dog’s Breath Stink?

When we adopted our Chihuahua, Gizmo, from my Granny his breath smelled like a sewer. He was so sweet and wanted to give nose kisses whenever you held him. But his breath made it unbearable.

One week later, he was down 14 teeth. Thankfully dogs have 42 teeth so he can still eat but when your dog’s breath smells rank, take them to the vet.

Aside from eating something stinky, there are quite a few medical conditions that can cause a dog’s breath to stink. The most common health concerns from your dog’s bad breath are periodontal or kidney disease.

I hope these tips on getting rid of dog smells have helped. What other dog odors do you struggle with?