| Typically, we as dog owners, have a binary | | | | activity combination coupled with dirt will |
| relationship with our pet: we love them, but hate | | | | contribute to, yes...you guessed it, dog odor. |
| the fleas and especially the odor. And when your | | | | I Bathe my Dog Frequently, How Come he Still |
| non dog-owning friends walk into your home, | | | | Smells? |
| they'll never ask whether or not there's a dog | | | | First, you need to have the right shampoo. Never, |
| around...they can usually smell him (or her) long | | | | never, never, use human shampoo on your dog. |
| before they see him. Sometimes, we become so | | | | A dog's skin has a higher PH than does a human. |
| used to the odor, we soon don't even notice it, | | | | Good quality dog shampoos will have a PH at |
| until we try to sell our home and the Realtor | | | | about 7.5. While a human would require a much |
| politely suggests that we need to wash the inside | | | | lower PH shampoo, well below 6.5. So that's a |
| of our house with a fire hose! If these are the | | | | potential problem. The more acidic human |
| experiences you've had with your friends, your | | | | shampoo will dry out your dog, causing him to |
| home, your Realtor and your dog, then this article | | | | frequently scratch. Also, if you bathe your dog |
| is for you. | | | | too frequently, even with a good dog shampoo, |
| What Causes Dog Odor? | | | | you may also be contributing to the problem. You |
| There are a host of reasons and circumstances | | | | can consult your Vet, but bathing more than |
| that contribute to contribute to dog odor. The | | | | twice a month for a dog is unnecessary, at best |
| most obvious one is that dogs love to roll around | | | | and does your dog a disservice, at worst...if it |
| in the dirt and on the grass. Other factors are | | | | contributes to his scratching. So the bottom line is |
| diet, activity, weather conditions and the overall | | | | bathe him with a dog shampoo, but not too |
| cleanliness of your pet. Unless you can find some | | | | frequently. |
| way of placing your dog in a suit of armor or | | | | OK, I Do Everything That You Suggest, But He |
| encasing him in a soapy water plastic cocoon, | | | | Still Smells! |
| there's nothing you can do about the rolling around | | | | There is another thing that may help. There are |
| phenomena. That's just what a dog does. | | | | commercially available natural, green dog |
| However, we can work at the other things, | | | | deodorizers that have a neutral pH, but will kill |
| except of course, modifying the weather. | | | | dogodor. The best are made from essential oils, |
| Diet | | | | like orange oil. These chemically alter the oil in the |
| One of the most obvious things that will help | | | | dogs fur, netralizing the unpleasant odors. |
| control odor, to an extent, is giving your dog the | | | | Additionally, there are deodorizing shampoos that |
| best food available. Many of the common | | | | also contain some of the essential oils, as well. |
| commercially available dog foods are made of | | | | The shampoo will typically last a day or so and |
| things and animal byproducts that we would | | | | then the odor returns. Some of the essential oil |
| rather not contemplate. Poor food quality | | | | deodorizers, such as orange oil, lavender oil, cedar |
| contributes to dog odor. There are several good | | | | oil, especially oils with a vegetable based |
| dog foods that are made from organic and plant | | | | surfactant, will readily combine with water and will |
| based proteins that will help to combat this | | | | easily wash out. These may be used in between |
| problem. Additionally, there are additives that also | | | | baths. The dog odor will pretty much dissipate for |
| help your dog with his general hygiene that will | | | | a day or so, but the dog can be re-sprayed, |
| obviously enhance his overall health which | | | | whenever the odor returns. When it comes time |
| translate into a decrease in dog odor. | | | | for a bath, just bathe him with shampoos that |
| Outdoor Activity | | | | have essential oils in their base. |
| When dogs run around on the outside, their skin | | | | The combination of steps as mentioned above |
| excretes an oil that helps to keep his skin and fur | | | | can radically eliminate all, if not most of the doggie |
| supple. This also aids in protection against the | | | | odor. There's also an added benefit to surfacted |
| elements. If your dog is a small lap dog, probably | | | | essential oil treatment: virtually all of the above |
| you don't let him run around too much, but his | | | | named essential oils act as flea prevention. In fact, |
| body and skin will still excrete a certain amount of | | | | orange oil will actually dissolve any insect, |
| oil into his fur. In any event, the oil/weather | | | | immediately killing it and any of its eggs. |