[RavenWolf]

I need help as this is really starting to become a problem. My guy Benny has a really strong salty bad smell. I'll bath him and within a few days the odor is back and my whole house smells. I'm going through a bottle of febreze every other week and still its the first thing you smell when you walk in the house. Its particularly bad when its hot out and he comes in from outside. hes in a fenced yard and there is nothing back there for him to roll in except the grass. But he does do a lot of rolling or more accurately wallowing in the grass. but he never rolls anywhere near where he goes potty.

I've tried changing his food. I had him on a premium Lamb and rice food for 5 months and it only got worse. Do to budget limitations for a few months I have him on Beneful, he still smells. The only other thing he ingests is benadryl tablets as even on the premium food with no corn, wheat or soy he was still itchy. (his allergies is another thing I can't figure out)

Is there anything I can do or try?

 

[cinnamonteal]

where is the smell coming from? is it his skin, his breath, etc? breath can be solved by brushing his teeth or some other cleaning equivalent. If it's due to allergies, have you considered feeding raw? If you buy meaty bones in bulk, it can actually be affordable.

 

[Loboto-Me]

I'm wondering, could it be his anal glands? I hear that when they're full or infected, they reek to high heaven. More places to check might be his ears, which might be infected, or his gums which might have a problem as well.

I've never experienced bad doggy smells other than that wet dog smell when they haven't been bathed, but that dissipates quickly enough after they get dried up.

 

[Penny & Maggie's Mom]

What does your vet say???? I would make sure he has a good physical (inc. dental) and you rule out any medical issues. This is not normal, to have a regularly bathed dog with that strong an odor. And, FWIW, I try to stay away from as many chemicals ( like Febreeze) that I can. There are packets you can buy at Home Depot that are mesh bags with a lava type rock that is amazing at absorbing odors. We got one and put it under the couch when the smell in our den was awful due to some dead critter in the wall. It really worked..... just make sure it is out of puppers reach.

 

[NuttinButGoldens]

It is not normal for a dog to smell bad. I would take him to the Vet for a checkup right away.

 

[RavenWolf]

Its not his breath or anything. I can only assume its his fur or something as the odor clings to anything he has laid or rolled on like the couch, his bed, the blankets and stuff like that.

 

[missyn1270]

RavenWolf, I am having the exact same problem with my Golden, Max. I don't know what to do either and I don't have the money for vet bills.
Can anyone please help us?

 

[BeauShel]

I have a couple of questions. Has the stools been firm? Because if they are not firm their can be smell from the anal glands. Is he neutered? Unneutered dogs can sometimes mark creating an odor. If he doesnt have problems with poop or is neutered then I would get him checked by a vet. It could be a yeast infection.
If money is a problem with a vet, try the Micro-tek shampoo. It works wonders with skin problems
http://www.eqyss.com/pet_microtek_shampoo.asp

 

[Griffyn'sMom]

How old is Benny? Sometimes a thyroid condition can make their coats more oily - thus more pungent. My Jake in his later years was really punky smelling - heavy oily coat and it was sparce. I don't know why the Vet never tested him for thyroid problems - maybe just because he was ancient and on his last legs.

Also.. what treats are you giving him? If they are liver it will affect his smell and fish supplements can give them an odor as well.

 

[missyn1270]

BeauShel,
Thanks for the reply. His stools are firm and he has not been neutered.
I think I will try the Micro-Tek shampoo first. If this doesn't help, then I will check with his vet to see if it is a yeast infection. Thank you for the link to the shampoo and your feedback. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[BajaOklahoma]

Allergies can cause a yeast infection of the skin and ears, which can smell. The area is usually redish/pink, moist and itchy.

But my Sheepie girls have feet that normally smell like fritos. Seriously.

 

[Willow52]

A friend's daughter has a dog (not a golden) that has a strong odor. The vet thought it might be anal glands, so they had them removed...didn't help. No ear problems, changed food, frequent baths. Nothing helped. They've finally come to the conclusion that it's something to do with bacteria in the lining of his intestines. I think they are now treating it with meds.