Dachshund owners often attribute a dachshund’s bad smell to its characteristics rather than a lack of proper grooming. They wonder why we smell so bad despite being bathed every month. The truth is, no matter how much you hate the smell coming from our bodies, we hate it more. Dachshunds have a strong sense of smell and are not born with bad breath or a stinky body. On some days, you might even find us rolling in the courtyard sand to get rid of the odor. Then how can we be considered a naturally smelly breed of dog?
We do not have a naturally strong and unpleasant body odor and can go for six weeks before our next shower. All you need to do is keep us well-groomed and well-fed. If your dog has been kept clean and still smells, then try to find the source of the stink on your dog’s body. The cause behind a foul odor could be a specific medical condition that needs to be checked by a vet. Taking your dog to the veterinarian is a good idea to figure out if there is something wrong.
Anal Sacs
While anal sacs are usually emptied when we take a poop, sometimes it fails. In those cases, an unpleasant smell can come from our rear ends. It can be annoying for both our owner and for us. We even try to avoid it by dragging our bottoms (and the smell) around. For both our sakes, you need to learn how to empty our sacs and bring relief. The veterinarian can teach you.
Ear Mites
We are cute dogs with long, floppy ears. However, there is a downside to this. Our big ears prevent proper ventilation. If there is some moisture left on the insides of our ears after a bath and it doesn’t get dry, then it could attract bacteria, which could lead to an infection. Ear mites become attracted to us and feed on our ear wax and oils, usually emanating a foul smell.
If your dog has ear mites, they need prescribed medication to solve the problem. Keeping a check on your dog’s ears and wiping the insides with a damp cotton ball every week can keep them clean and moisture-free.
Skin Infection
If the foul smell is not coming for any particular part of our bodies, then our skin may smell because of an infection. Hairless areas with greasy or flaky skin can be the symptoms of many skin diseases, accompanied by an odor. Skins conditions like seborrheic dermatitis can make even a well-groomed dachshund smell and itch.
You need to make an appointment with the vet and get your dog checked for a skin infection. The vet will provide prescription creams and meds, along with a changed diet plan.
Dental Problems
Just like with humans, our teeth are subject to damage if not cleaned regularly. Dirty teeth with tartar on them can cause gum infections and tooth decay, leading to smelly breath. If you’ve been finding it a challenge to sit face to face with your dog without frowning because of an unpleasant smell, then you have got to take them for a dental exam. Halitosis can be caused by a gum problem or tooth-related issues. We are also prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Moreover, we are small in size, and so is our face. Our mouth fits a total number of 42 teeth, crowded over our gums. Due to this, our teeth get dirty quickly when compared to larger breeds. We are also very active, and excessive open-mouth panting can contribute to the culmination of bacteria in our mouth, leading to stinky breath.
If your dog’s breath is getting stinkier by the day, it’s time to see a vet for dental treatment. Once we receive treatment, we must be brought to the vet twice a year for an oral cleaning. Moreover, our owner needs to brush our teeth every morning. Giving us chew toys can also help remove tartar.
Moisture
Dogs often dislike being bathed and run as soon as they are let out of the bathroom. They start rolling on the ground to get rid of the water on their skin and hair. It is important to make your dog sit down in the sunshine and dry before they start playing again. Moreover, you need to wipe the area between their toes to prevent bacterial growth.
Here Are Some Measures That Can Be Taken To Keep Us Clean And Smell Like Sunshine And Rainbows:
Grooming
While bathing your dog every day is not a good idea, cleaning them every day is vital. You can also start by using dog wipes to keep their rear end clean. Use a gentle shampoo to clean them thoroughly during bath time. Wipe their paws to remove dirt after a walk.
We need to be bathed once every six weeks. However, if we get too dirty by rubbing ourselves on the ground while playing or digging in the garden, then it’s time for a bath. If your dachshund dislikes bathing and realizes what behaviors lead to more frequent bathing sessions, they might even modify their bad habits.
Keeping Their Surroundings Clean
You make your bed every day and change the bedding every week to keep the mattress clean and hygienic. Similarly, we also need a clean sleeping place and eating place. You must wash our blanket, crate, toys, pillows, and other items of regular use frequently. If there is a particularly dirty place that we sit at often, you need to persuade us to change spots. Keeping both your dog and his surroundings clean is vital to their overall hygiene.
Give Them a Balanced Diet
As our owners know, we are BIG TIME foodies. A dachshund will want to try everything that you’re eating and is likely to sit and stare at your food until you give in to the puppy-eyes and pass a bite. If you’re frequently giving in to your dog’s drooling mouth and passing a bite, then you’re spoiling your dachshund’s teeth, making them think they can get anything they want, and overtaxing their digestive system. After making so many mistakes, can you really blame your pup for the smell?
You need to be strict when it comes to our diet. What we eat is what we secrete. And if our poop and breath are particularly smelly, then it might have lots to do with all the junk our stomach is unable to process. You need to feed your dachshund a balanced diet, in portions specified by a vet, to keep us from smelling like stale fish.
Conclusion
Apart from taking these measures, you can use prescribed medicine, dog deodorants, water additives (prescribed) and mints to keep us from smelling. You no more have to wake to a bad-smelling dog breathing in your face in the morning, and we will finally feel fresh and happy.
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