Dogs have scent glands on either side of the anus that release a stinky liquid that commonly smells fishy. The importance of prompt poop disposal cannot be stressed enough. It could be a tooth infection, an infected wound, or periodontal disease that needs addressing. Betterpet - Advice from veterinarians and actual pet experts. In the process, your dog might express their anal sacs. Heres what could be causing your dogs bad fishy odor. "We don't know why some dogs have more trouble with their anal glands," Tracey says. Elderly dogs are more prone to incontinence issues than younger ones. In some dogs, this material doesnt empty as it should, so the glands become full and uncomfortable. Otherwise, if your dog smells like fish she may have an abnormal medical condition that needs to be addressed. Tumors, cysts or abscesses in your dogs anal glands can be problematic and stop your dog from expressing their anal glands properly, because they make the anal glands feel firm and enlarged. The food they ate. I have a friend whose dog, Oreo, had a near-accident experience. With watery poop, theres no pressure on the anal sacs. Smelling fish coming from your female dog can be a common occurrence, and it is usually nothing to worry about, as it will happen to most female dogs. Some of these can make the urine smell fishy, especially supplements of calcium, vitamin B6, and vitamin D. The odor may be more noticeable when a person is dehydrated . And this puts them at risk of infection in the womb. This is an affiliate advertising program that is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and revenue by advertising and linking to amazon.com with recommendations. Anal glands are usually the culprit when fishy smells occur. Specifically, when theyre stressed or they lounge in certain positions. Built-up bacteria in the urinary tract causes pain when urinating, blood in the urine, and powerful odors. Your vet can firstly empty your dogs anal glands. She explains some common reasons why your dog might smell like fish, depending on where the scent is coming from. Helps here! Once the heat is over, the majority return to normal, but unfortunately, some dogs develop complications, which lead to an infection (pyometra). While there are lots of funky odors that can come from our pups, the fishy smell is one of the most off-putting. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Just soak a cotton ball or a clean washcloth with mouthwash. If you want to get rid of your female dogs fishy smelling breath, a simple solution is to brush their teeth with enzymatic toothpaste two to three times each week. Abscessed anal sacs are painful. Bad odors can be a great indicator of your dogs health. This liquid substance has a strong odor and so full anal glands are one of the most common reasons for a fishy odor. The smell could be coming from elsewhere, or your female dog may have particularly fishy urine. To treat blocked anal glands, you are going to want to take your pet to the veterinarian. If your dog's glands are really full, they may leak out a stinky, pungent smell . For the most part, some dogs will just smell, as dogs can get stinky due to their age, breed, diet, or hormones. There is a fishy smell due to the sulfur compounds in the bacteria. If your dog is often rubbing or licking its bottom, then it can be due to anal infections. Further to this, if your female dog smells like fish and has a lot of skin folds like a Shar Pei or English Bulldog they are more likely to smell because yeast can develop within those folds and consequently give off a bad fish odour. If your dog's breath develops a fishy smell very suddenly it may well be caused by an infection in the mouth or a dental abscess. And where fish-based diets are more suitable. 9 Reasons & Tips, How Many Teeth Chihuahuas Have + 3 Chi Teeth Problems & Tips, 17 Real Reasons Why Your Husky Smells + 7 Ways To Stop It. One solution would be to give your dog more fiber in their diet. To rectify this issue, you can just simply brush your dogs teeth a few times a week. The smell of vinegar will dissipate. Removal of the ovaries and uterus will prevent pyometra from occurring. If your dog smells like fish due to diet, theres nothing to worry about. This is to prepare the dog for pregnancy. Swimming in a lake or ocean. A dog suffering from acid reflux may have a fishy-smelling breath. Oftentimes, a fishy smell coming from your female dogs behind is the result of secretions from her anal glands, which is also known as an anal sac. This might have you thinking, How on earth can I make my dog use a mouthwash?. However, many pet parents have found the effectiveness of chlorophyll in masking odors. Heres a video of a dog parent using waterless shampoo. Place bowls of clean water strategically around the house. If not treated, your dog might need surgery. UTIs can become more serious (and painful) if left untreated. Poor diet can contribute to this condition and can also be the cause of other problems including yeast infections, which also give off a foul odor. A dog parent shares online about her Pomeranian. Insurance for dogs, cats, and other household animals can run as low as $20 a month, but that cost can add up over time. If this is the case, then you may need to seek medical advice from a professional or a veterinarian. In mild cases of stomach upset or excessive wind, a change of diet could help improve things. Bathing prevents bacterias from getting into unnecessary parts of their bodies. As a pyometra develops, the womb fills with pus. The dog may also have started to drag their butt all across the floor. If the anal glands are infected, then the anus may seem swollen and discolored, or it can even discharge fluids. Kibble was the main diet for 82.3% of poop eaters and 78.3% of non-poop eaters. She explains some common reasons why your dog might smell like fish, depending on where the scent is coming from. These infections cause bacteria to accumulate in the urine. Pyometra is an infection of the uterus in female dogs that haven't been spayed. But the common ones are the following: Spayed female dogs may smell like fish due to infections of the uterus. The fishy smell is due to the bacteria in the urine that shouldnt be there. These are most commonly found in the vagina, which will give off a rather fishy smell in the genital area, and will make the urine smell fishy. This gets the liquid out and relieves the pressure. Until surgery is the only option. A UTI can cause bacteria from the infection to contaminate the urine, resulting in a distinct fishy smell. 2022 Scenthound Franchising, LLC. They may eat their own poop. Its horrible if your dogs breath smells like fish. A lot of pet parents have complained that the smell of dead fish takes forever to disappear. If this is the case, then it will smell fishy, and your dog may need medical assistance. More specifically, the fishy breath smell could be the result of bacterial metabolism that lives on your female dogs gums, the top of their tongue and plaque on their teeth. Many dogs also have a problem with ear infections due to overgrown yeast and/or bacteria. He complained that his dog stank so bad he couldnt stay in one room with his dog. A UTI might leave a fishy smell on your dogs urine. If she is scooting or licking excessively, then I would have your veterinarian check her anal glands to make sure that they are not overly full. Does your dog have death breath? Signs that your dog may have a yeast infection in those locations include: Your vet can prescribe an anti-fungal medication to get rid of the infection. Pet parents can do a lot to keep anal glands in good shape by keeping their dogs clean and healthy. Neglecting your dogs teeth will find you in a sea of troubles. This is exactly what was recommended for a dog brought to a vet clinic in Iraq. Should infection and abscesses remain untreated, it could get worse. However, there are a few reasons that this could be happening. Pyometra is an infection of the uterus. They use these glands to learn about each other by depositing (and then sniffing) secretions. want that odor gone ASAP. In most cases, a fishy-smelling butt is usually the sign of blocked anal glands, which your veterinarian can treat easily. A change in the balance of vaginal yeast can cause vaginitis, which is an infection in the vagina. Gastrointestinal issues could cause your dog to have a new odor, particularly if he is more gassy than normal. The most typical reasons that this may happen are because of either a vaginal yeast infection or a problem with the anal glands. Disclaimer: My website and blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. Wondering why does my dog smell like fish? can be concerning. And it smells like fish. You might also want to try chewable dental sticks (view on Amazon) to help fight oral bacteria in between brushes. While your dog should relieve their anal glands naturally when they defecate, if theyre experiencing the above you should visit the vet. Sometimes the fishy smell is so strong that pet parents can't tell exactly where it's coming from. Broadly speaking, problems with your dogs anal sacs that cause a secreting fishy smell are considered under the umbrella term anal sac disease, but here we will break down what exactly that might mean. You should spay your dog at an early age. Please Note: This article is not intended to replace professional veterinarian advice but is my own opinions and research as a dog owner. Dental Disease Does your dog have death breath? About the places they went to. Why does my female dog smell weird? Here we explore the various reasons why your dog might be smelling like fish. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. But if your dog hates getting their gums and teeth touched, youve got another alternative. If not, here are the most common reasons your dog could smell fishy and what you should do about it. Small breed dogs are most affected by anal sac issues. Also, dont use chlorophyll when you intend to breed the dog. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Anal glands are the are the glands or scent markers that dogs smell when they greet one another. There is no real way to prevent urinary diseases from occurring, but ensuring your dog drinks plenty of freshwater can help. Some theories suggest that dogs do so to mask their scent and stalk prey. The size or volume of a dogs stool is very important. Apparently, this works if theyre stalking prey. This is because water and salt get trapped in the fur of dogs, causing them to give off an odor that can sometimes be fishy . Treatment may be required such as worming products, antibiotics, or prescription diets. What toothpaste to use is also important. Nevertheless, it is doubly Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? If your dog smells like fish, something could be amiss. Your vet can also check to make sure there are no other concerns. Some of the fluid might end up in their mouth. If your dog is suffering from this infection, their pee may also smell fishy, and they will need urgent medical attention. Other times, they might have tumors. Changes to poop. 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