Tired Of That “Smelly Dog” Odor? Here Are Surefire Tips To Make It Disappear

For as loving, comforting, and entertaining "man's best friend" maybe, a dog can still be a smelly four-legged beast. If they're not producing the unpleasant smells themselves, there's a chance they're rolling in it. Whether the stench comes from the front end, back end, or somewhere in-between, "dog smell" can turn an enjoyable interaction into one of repulsion.

To keep your friend smelling their best, read on for the surefire tips to keep that smelly dog odor under control.

Monthly Baths

As much as they might hate it, bathe your dog every four weeks. Wendy Weinand, a manager for Petco's pet services, mentions that this monthly schedule "will help to keep their skin and coat clean and keep their natural oils spread out to help the condition."

This bathing regiment will remove dirt and clear up skin conditions like clogged pores, oily skin, and itchiness. However, Wendy also mentions the issues with overwashing. "Unless there is a medical reason for more frequent baths, overbathing your pet—say weekly or even every two weeks—can dry out the skin and coat."

An Alternative Bath

Continuing the remarks above, we have a suggestion for bathing dogs that avoid all showers and bathtubs like the plague. Instead of the wet hassle, lay down several newspapers on the floor. Grab a box of cornstarch and rub the dry powder into your dog's fur. If you're still wondering, the corn starch will absorb your dog's excess oils and soothe any itches. With a quick rub of their fur, any excess powder will fall onto your layered newspapers. Also, feel free to combine equal parts cornstarch and baby powder to leave your dog smelling fresh after their dry bath is completed.

Brush Weekly

In addition to leaving a clean, smooth coat, brushing each week will rid your dog of dead fur, debris, allergens, and more. Brushing will also evenly distribute the skin's natural oils.

Wash Their Bedding

Foods, liquids, drools, and other nasty substances can all call a dog bed "home." And if your dog loves to sleep in said bed, well, we hope you know where this is going. No matter what it is, with enough time, it's going to seep into the bedding and start smelling.

Therefore, here's a quick recipe for a "Spritz" that will freshen up that bed without a full-blown wash.

• Fill a cup with 3/4 cup water
• Add 1/4 cup witch hazel
• Add five drops of lavender (or other neutral smelling essential oil)
• Mix & Fill spray bottle
• Spritz away

Remember - Spritzing too much on your dog's bed may leave a smell too strong for your pet to tolerate.

Further, cleansing the overall environment will do wonders for your furry friends as well as your home. Consider steam cleaning your carpet, mopping wood and hard-surface floors with a 50/50 water, white vinegar solution, and washing (spritzing) furniture that your dog frequents.

Taking care of a dog and home are large tasks, but the payoff when the two are in harmony is terrific.