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There’s an old saying, usually said with a grin, that there’s nothing friendlier than a wet dog. Having been a recipient of soggy greetings from water-soaked canines, I can attest to its truthfulness. But why do so many dogs smell when they get wet? Here, we break down why wet dog smell happens, and what you can do about it.
Why do wet dogs smell?
All animals—including us humans—have microbes like yeast and bacteria living on our skin. These microorganisms produce waste in the form of various chemical compounds that usually aren’t noticeable when the dog is dry. When a little water is added, however, these compounds are liberated from the dog’s skin and hair and the resulting dampness accentuates the odor.
The odor of a wet dog can vary depending on a variety of things, including a dog’s propensity for drooling and slobbering, how much time they spend inside versus outside, what they like to roll in, how often they’re bathed, if they have folds of skin, and how healthy they are. Health issues such as allergies, dermatitis, or yeast infections can influence a dog’s scent. Sometimes diet, and even a dog’s breed, can even be a factor in doggy odor and wet dog smell.
Wet dog smell factors
Back when I worked for veterinarians, two breeds we saw that invariably came in smelly were basset hounds and Chinese shar peis. Basset hounds are known for having a “houndy” odor, due in part to the sebum (a lubricating substance secreted by glands under the skin to protect hair and skin) found in their naturally oilier skin. Sebum feeds bacteria so these dogs can have a higher population of the odor-producing microbes. A grooming bath every couple of weeks can help keep those microbes under control (and thus, keep the dog’s smell when wet to a minimum at all times).
Shar peis also have more sebum as well as large, moisture-trapping skin folds that are susceptible to dermatitis. It’s important with all wrinkly-skinned, and especially wrinkly-faced breeds—think bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese, and French bulldogs—to wipe the folds clean as part of a regular grooming process. Grooming wipes work well for this and can help prevent skin issues as well as the doggy odors that come with them.
via flickr/dallasfloerphotography
A constantly wet, slobbery mouth can also be a source of doggy odor that ups the wet dog smell in general because microbes generally love damp environments. Giant breeds like the English mastiff, Newfoundland, Neapolitan mastiff, and Saint Bernard, as well as hounds like bloodhounds, coonhounds, and basset hounds, are all known for excessive drooling and a generally “wet mouth.” The grooming wipes can be helpful here, and I also recommend having a supply of “slobber rags” available to keep things from getting out of hand.
Pixabay
If you have a dog who can’t resist detouring through every puddle on a rainy day walk or diving into the local lake or river it can be hard to keep them dry. And for those water-loving dogs, swimming and wading in lakes and rivers can leave a dog smelling fishy on top of the wet dog smell, thanks to even stinkier odors such as fish and decaying vegetation.
So keep a close eye on your dog: While not technically a wet dog smell, a roll in a dead fish found on the shore (or decaying anything) can be the best part of a dog’s day and simultaneously the worst part of yours. If you manage to keep your lunch down, I applaud you. The stink of dead animals is hard to get out and requires some of the uber-strong products one would use when a dog’s been sprayed by a skunk.
(If your dog happens to smell like fish frequently, it could be an indication of an underlying health, skin, or diet issue. For more on that topic, see our story, Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish?)
In general, dogs have a different body chemistry and different dietary needs than humans that produce smells that can be strange or off-putting to dog owners; when mixed with water, the effect is simply amplified.
Cleaning up and drying off
Even if your pooch isn’t a fan of swimming, most of them will enjoy a little wading on a hot summer day. My old setter won’t go past a few inches or so, but he loves to walk in the tiny, overgrown pond feature in my front yard during the summer to cool his feet. Of course, it’s always right before he comes inside the house. I call him Swamp Legs and even have a little swamp ditty I sing to him as I clean up the muddy footprints on the floor and wipe his legs dry with a towel…then I give him a cookie.
Of course, regular baths can go a long way in keeping your dog smelling fresh. Generally no more than every two weeks is best, and if you have a large, or heavily coated breed, once every month or two is plenty. And be sure to wash his collar frequently, too. A nylon collar can go in the wash, but get a leather cleaner if he wears a leather collar.
Getting wet dog smell out of the house
If your wet dog is like mine, even though you wipe them down thoroughly when they come in from the rain or after a bath, they still like to rub along the side of your bed, the sofa, and the carpet to help dry off, thus transferring their wet doggy scent to your home. Yay! Consider upgrading to a hard-wearing dog towel made specifically for wet dogs, or even a dog blow dryer, to help mitigate the effects of full-blown wet dog smell throughout your home.
As for your dog’s wet smell-absorbing bedding, slipcovers, and other doggy items such as fabric or nylon collars and leashes, use a good odor neutralizer detergent such as Costco’s Kirkland brand, or any “oxy” detergents, including Arm & Hammer. Nature’s Miracle, a well-known brand of pet odor neutralizer, makes a product you can add to your regular laundry detergent to deodorize those doggy blankets.
In addition, it’s helpful to add a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar in with the detergent cycle, as well as the rinse cycle. There are liquid fabric softeners that also contain odor neutralizing enzymes. Be sure that any product you use isn’t just masking the odor with a frilly scent but actually contains odor eliminating ingredients such as baking soda (more on that below).
Getting wet dog smell out of the car
If you drive your dog to a place to swim, say at the local dog park, your car can begin to smell like a wet dog. Pro tip: Always bring a few large dog towels so you can towel him off before he jumps into the car for the ride home.
If your dog is like mine and sleeps on your bed or on your furniture, or spends a lot of time going on rides in the back seat of your car, a blanket thrown over the top of your bed or back seat is easier to remove and wash than your comforter, and along with resisting persistent wet dog smell, helps to protect against permanent stains. That said, one of the best, and safest, ways to remove doggy odors is tried and true: baking soda!
Use the baking soda by sprinkling it liberally on your fabric furniture or car upholstery, paying attention to the cracks and crevices, and use it on your carpet as well. It’s a good idea to do this at night, or early in the day, so you can leave the baking soda on for several hours to give it a chance to absorb odors. Then vacuum thoroughly to remove the baking soda. This treatment also works well in your car. (For vacuums for dog owners dealing with excess smells and pet hair, see our article The 20 Best Vacuums for Dog Owners That Actually Work.)
There are also spray-on odor neutralizers made for pets. Most are geared toward cleaning up house training accidents but all will work for doggy odor as well. Be sure that products you use are made for pets—some of the plug-in air fresheners or essential oils can be harmful to pets.
Pixabay
Smelly is in the nose of the sniffer
You often hear dog people say, usually with affection, “my dog’s feet smell like corn chips.” While endearing and even funny, a corn chip or taco smell can be indicative of an underlying skin issue and/or yeast build up. So, when those corn chip paws get wet, wet dog smell comes with the territory. Grooming wipes can come to the rescue again, especially for those breeds with hairy feet, like my ol’ Swamp Legs, as can a regular bathing and grooming routine, and feeding your dog a balanced diet.
To me, burying my nose in the scruff of my dog’s neck fur on a cold winter’s day is one of the best smells in the world. It’s a scent that evokes something from our ancient past, the wildness of nature, a little bit of my dog’s wolf ancestors, the unknowable mystery of the world around us. It makes me grateful for my life with dogs, smells and all.