When dealing with pet odor water alone is not going to resolve the issue. Odor can be held inside the wax and oil secretions on the skin; This is the reason that dogs often smell bad again right after a bath. This review is going to look at the important points that make up the best dog shampoo for odor to make you and your pet more comfortable.
Table of Contents
Top 14 dog shampoos for odor
Pro Pet Works Organic Oatmeal Shampoo + Conditioner
Our Rating:
4.6/5
Price Range: $$
This shampoo is labeled as organic as well as biodegradable and hypoallergenic. The cleaning component of this shampoo is coconut-based cleansers. It also contains oat, aloe vera and almond oil to condition the coat and skin. This is a mild shampoo that can be used for routine cleaning. There is an emulsifier that helps to suspend the oils into the water, but it won’t strip the coat. Dog’s with odor due to really heavy oils may not be as fresh and clean as you like using this product. I always feel more comfortable trying the milder shampoo first because the stronger oil stripping products can really irritate some dog’s skin so if you don’t need them it’s best not to use them.
The company has a strong social mission including the use of recycled materials and cruelty-free production. Additionally, there is a 100% money-back guarantee.
What We Like About It
- It works into the coat and rinses clean easily, making bath time easier.
- The shampoo provides a lot of itch relief as well.
- The scent for most pet parents is simply clean and very appealing.
What We Don't Like
- The very strong scent out of the bottle can be overpowering.
A quick tip from the Vet!
If you need to get oil off your dog you need to really massage the product down to the skin, and potentially leave it on for a few minutes. There is a lot of dissatisfaction with a product because the bathing is not being done correctly. Suds on the surface will not remove odor.
Earthbath
Our Rating:
4.5/5
Price Range: $$
This is a very simple product which is great for ingredient-conscious pet parents. It contains a coconut-based cleanser which is mild and not extremely oil stripping. The shampoo is biodegradable, which is a good feature in general but especially for outdoor bathing. A rosemary-scented shampoo which appeals to a lot of people. There are no chemical perfumes added. Rosemary can be overwhelming for some though so you’ll have to try it out for your dog and people family.
This is a mild shampoo that will not strip oils from the skin. It’s a great grooming option but may not get the odor control needed for dogs with oily, greasy coats. Starting with the mildest shampoo that could do the job is a good idea though. If you strip too much oil from your dog’s coat you will end up making them itchy.
The company promotes its social mission of a community giving program and support for local non-profits in addition to the cruelty-free manufacturer there is also a guarantee to look into.
What We Like About It
- For some dogs, it can cut through severe grime and odor.
- The scent is mild and not irritating to many people with allergies or sensitivities to perfumes.
- It’s a mild cleanser that has a soothing effect on many dog’s skin as well as getting them clean.
What We Don't Like
- The scent isn’t strong enough for some users to really feel like it’s doing the job.
Paws & Pals Natural Oatmeal Dog-Shampoo And Conditioner
Our Rating:
4.5/5
Price Range: $
This is a natural shampoo. The ingredient list can be a bit intimidating because they use all the chemical names instead of common names. This shampoo uses a coconut-based cleanser and has several natural oils to moisturize the skin and coat as well as oat kernel flour for moisturizing and allergy relief. It contains an emulsifier which helps the oils to mix with the water and be lifted away but doesn’t strip and dry the skin. The term medicated is misleading because there isn’t actually any medication in it. The shampoo is also labeled as vegan which is a plus for vegan homes.
It’s recommended to let the shampoo stand on the coat for a minute or two for the product to have its full effect. This is very important for odor control because if you don’t penetrate through the coat and down to the skin you may not eliminate all of the odor.
This is a made in the U.S. product with cruelty-free labeling. There is not a stated warranty so that may matter to some people.
What We Like About It
- This shampoo achieved two weeks of odor control for some dogs.
- The scent is soft and pleasant but won’t overwhelm the household.
- Soothing and moisturizing so your pup’s feels good and so does their coat and skin.
What We Don't Like
- Some users found the shampoo thick and hard to work with without wasting a lot of it.
Wahl Natural Pet Odor Shampoo
Our Rating:
4.5/5
Price Range: $
This shampoo is coconut and soy-based cleansers with emulsifiers to mix oil into the water so it washes off. It comes in a concentrate that says it’s equal to 24oz when diluted correctly. The scent is eucalyptus spearmint. It does contain coloring agents which disappoints me because that does not add value to the shampoo making it an unnecessary chemical. As long as the dog doesn’t eat the shampoo this should be a factor in soy allergies, but if there is another product that meets your needs then don’t risk it.
Though I don’t see any dangerous chemicals in the shampoo there are unnecessary ingredients such as the fragrance and color that this just wouldn’t be my first choice. It may work great for you and if it does I’m not saying throw it out, I just wouldn’t pick it first.
The company has U.S. manufacturing but does not state any warranty. Often times though if you have serious concerns the companies do want to work with you.
What We Like About It
- The scent is clean but not overpowering during bathing and leaves the dog smelling good for a lot of users.
- Only a small amount of shampoo is needed so the bottle really lasts a long time.
- Many pet parents feel like the odor controls last longer than other brands they have tried.
What We Don't Like
- Some dog parents do not appreciate their dog smelling like mint.
A quick tip from the Vet!
Diluting the shampoo in some warm water will often make it easier to work it through the coat and quicker and easier to rinse clear.
Nature’s Miracle Shampoo
Our Rating:
4.5/5
Price Range: $
This is a very difficult product for me to evaluate because one-half of the ingredients are a mystery. Plant surfactants and odor control system, rinsing and conditioning agents, fragrance, and preservatives could mean a huge range of things and some may not be very safe. So all I can say is that if they aren’t going to put the ingredients on the bottle I have to say no to the shampoo. It’s a honey sage scent which actually sounds really good and the oatmeal would be soothing, but I can’t say much more about it.
The shampoo is noted as being made in the U.S. but has no stated warrantee. Natures miracle has been around for a long time with some very successful and effective floor and odor treatment products, but the ingredient list concerns me too much to use this as a shampoo. This shampoo really doesn’t hit and points for social consciousness either.
What We Like About It
- The shampoo is gentle with good odor control for some dogs that lasts longer than average for pet parents that have tried multiple products.
- It doesn’t take much of the product for a good wash therefore the bottle lasts a long time.
- The honey sage scent is quite pleasing to a lot of households.
What We Don't Like
- It doesn’t have dilution instructions but some pet parents found they had to dilute it in water to get good spread or they would waste a huge amount.
SynergyLabs Soothing & Deodorizing Formula Shampoo
Our Rating:
4.1/5
Price Range: $
This shampoo ingredient list reads like the chemical name of the company. There are so many unnecessary ingredients including the coloring agents which serve no purpose at all. Some of the chemicals such as acrylates copolymer can act as thickening agents and hardening agents which I’m not sure how that makes the shampoo better. It says that it contains fragrance extenders which worries me what this chemical might be. This has too many chemical agents that aren’t really helping the dog’s skin and coat for me. I would have to say no to this shampoo. The scent is lily and lavender, and I don’t see lavender oil in the ingredients so that’s another red flag for me.
The shampoo is made in the U.S. and there is no reference to a warranty. If your concern is not just if it works but also how it works I’d move on down the aisle past this one.
What We Like About It
- This shampoo provides a clean smell that lasts over a week in some dogs.
- Gentle and moisturizing, this shampoo is easy on the skin and softens the coat in some of our pet pals out there alleviating some itching.
- The shampoo rinses out easily which makes bath time faster and easier and that is also good for your dog's skin.
What We Don't Like
- It can be difficult to work the lather down to the skin level on some dogs.
Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy Shampoo, Lavender & Chamomile
Our Rating:
4.5/5
Price Range: $$
This shampoo’s cleaning formula is coconut-based cleansers. The glycerin will help remove some oil. It’s lavender and chamomile scent, but the ingredients just list fragrance so I’m not sure how they come by the scent. It’s listed as an aromatherapy shampoo which is a non-starter for me. Most dogs don’t like strong essential oils.
The conditioner is lanolin based which is important to take note of because some people are sensitive to lanolin and you wouldn’t want to be scrubbing your dog with this. I have no concerns with it being used on a dog though. It is a biodegradable product which is a good feature for the environment. If you are trying this shampoo I would pay really close attention to your dog’s comfort level with the scent during the bath and the first 24 hours after.
The shampoo is manufactured in the U.S. and labeled as cruelty-free and the container is labeled as recyclable.
What We Like About It
- The essential oils do stand out as a strong scent for folks who enjoy them.
- A shampoo that is mild and gentle and tends to moisturize dry irritated skin and leave your dog comfortable, which helps prevent odor.
- The shampoo is easy to rinse clean so it’s quicker for bath time as well as better for your dog’s skin.
What We Don't Like
- This shampoo does not have the exceptional odor-fighting quality one might expect from reading about the product.
Buddy Wash Dog Shampoo & Conditioner for Dogs with Botanical Extracts and Aloe Vera
Our Rating:
4.7/5
Price Range: $$
This shampoo is made with pure botanical extracts (plant-based) and has coconut-based cleansers. It contains several plant extracts that have strong scents so if you are sensitive to smells this one may be a bit potent.
The shampoo scent is rosemary mint. Tea tree oil is a strong astringent which will strip oil from the coat. For dogs that have an odor due to or in conjunction with heavy oils this could be very effective. Wheat protein is also used as a natural deodorizer, and as long as your dog isn’t eating the shampoo this should not be an issue with food sensitivities or allergies.
The shampoo is made in the U.S. and claims no animal testing. An interesting label point is that says it’s safe for humans (this is a bit concerning with the pH differences) but not recommended in cats. It is also labeled for use in dogs only. That is an unusual label that I’m not sure what the idea is behind it. They don’t clearly state a warranty but they do put a contact number on the back of the packaging.
What We Like About It
- The shampoo washes dirt out effectively, rinses clean easily and leaves a fresh scent for days.
- Moisturizing the skin and coat well and leaving a nice sheen has pleased many pet parents and less dry irritation means less odor.
- It works well on a lot of dogs that have dry sensitive skin that did not respond well to other shampoos.
What We Don't Like
- Some pet parents felt like they had to use an unusually large amount of shampoo on thick coated dogs to get the job done.
Lillian Ruff Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Our Rating:
4.6/5
Price Range: $$
This is a coconut-based cleanser that contains an emulsifier to lift oil into the water, away from the skin. It contains oatmeal, lavender and coconut oil as conditioners. It does unfortunately list added fragrance. It is lavender coconut scent which is a very appealing mild combination. The ingredients are labeled as vegan which may meet the needs of some households well. They do lay claim to flea and tick repellency but be sure to note that lavender oil does this very slightly and it would not prevent a flea infestation in your house. I look at it more as a nice little side bonus.
The product is manufactured in the U.S. and is labeled cruelty-free and no animal testing. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you have the chance to try it out and get your money back if it’s not working for you. Considering the vegan ingredients and cruelty-free production and no animal testing this may be a company that has a social mission that resonates with a lot of people.
What We Like About It
- The scent is mild and leaves your dog smelling clean, not perfumed, and generally lasts for a good week.
- It’s an easy shampoo to work into the coat, so even in long-haired or thick-coated dogs, it can be easy to use.
- Most dogs’ coats will have a shiny and conditioned look and feel after using this product.
What We Don't Like
- Leaking bottles being delivered has been a recurrent problem.
FURminator deOdorizing Ultra Premium Shampoo
Our Rating:
4.5/5
Price Range: $
This shampoo states that it uses mild surfactants (this is the agent that breaks up oil) but doesn’t state what they are made from. It also has vegetable protein extract but no idea from what vegetable. If you are okay with getting past that the other ingredients are actually really appealing. The wheat protein and baking soda act as odor neutralizers.
The oat protein and multiple oils act as moisturizers. Multiple leaf extracts that are astringents which strip oil away. There is also the mystery fragrance and preservative. The shampoo has a minty smell.
In order for this product to work the company recommends 5 to 10 minutes of leave on time to penetrate the coat and clean properly. This is really worth thinking about because if you do a quick wash and rinse you will not likely be satisfied. So is bath time with the pup amenable to your dog being wet and soapy for 10 minutes? If not I would select a different product.
The shampoo is manufactured in the U.S. and there is no stated warranty.
What We Like About It
- For a lot of dogs, this shampoo helps lift out loose hair/fur and makes combing of long-haired dogs much easier.
- Works well for deodorizing some dogs that have an oily waxy build-up that are hard to get clean.
- Some pet parents with allergies found this shampoo less irritating than others.
What We Don't Like
- The minty smell on a dog just isn’t appealing to some folks.
Hartz Groomer
Our Rating:
4.1/5
Price Range: $
This shampoo is made with cleansers without any clarity if the source is natural or not. It also contains chemical agents for thickening and the mystery malodor counteractant. Additionally, there are artificial colors that serve no benefit to the dog what-so-ever. The scent is a green apple. There are way too many chemicals in this for my liking that don’t even help the shampoo work.
This is definitely one I would not be eager to put on my dogs. With these synthetic chemical formulations, it makes me think along the lines that, yes if I wash my dog in gasoline it will really strip all the oil away and leave the dog really clean, but that doesn’t make it a good idea.
The company recommends you brush your dog out prior to bathing. Depending on your dog and their coat this may be tough to do. The origin of manufacture is not stated so quality control is unknown. This is a product I would just need to avoid.
What We Like About It
- Beyond cleaning and odor management the scent on the dog is very appealing to many of the pet parents out there.
- This is a low lather shampoo that is easier to rinse out. That is better for your dog’s skin.
What We Don't Like
- Many people seem to over apply the shampoo because of the low lather factor.
Paw Choice Dry Dog Shampoo
Our Rating:
4.3/5
Price Range: $$
This is a waterless dog shampoo that has coconut-derived cleansing agents, and emulsifiers that will lift oil into the water. I’m not clear on how much good the emulsifier can do in a product that doesn’t use water to rinse the dog. It is labeled as all-natural but does not list what it uses for fragrance or preservative. This is lavender and chamomile scented which is generally mildly floral.
This will never fully replace bathing because you aren’t rinsing debris away from the skin and coat. For very oily dogs it will be hard to get satisfaction on odor control with a waterless shampoo. If climate or your dog prevents a bath though this is certainly worth a try. Brushing after the treatment will help a lot in cleaning up both the coat and the skin.
Combining U.S manufacture, and a 30 day guarantee would make this company easy to work with if you had questions or concerns.
What We Like About It
- This product only requires a small amount for bathing so a bottle will last a long time even with big dogs.
- A light fruity scent was very pleasing to a lot of pet parents.
- When your dog gets into something but you don’t have time to bathe this can pull a lot of dirt from the coat
- This product does a good job a dealing with wet dog odor as well for quick refreshing.
What We Don't Like
- Bottles being shipped leaking was a problem that can be really frustrating.
- When there’s a lot of oil in the coat this is not a good replacement because odor will stay in the oil
Nootie Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
Our Rating:
4.5/5
Price Range: $$
This is an all-natural shampoo that uses cleansers that are probably derived from coconut though it doesn’t state that explicitly. There are multiple oils and aloe vera so it’s a very soothing shampoo. A compound called ordenone binds odor-producing molecules and neutralizes them.
This is a very mild sensitive skin shampoo that has a bonus odor controller so for delicate skin dogs this would be a really good one to try first. Be sure to really work the shampoo down to the skin to both remove oil and odor as well as get the conditioners working for you.
The shampoo carries a 100% money back guarantee with a U.S. manufacturer location.
What We Like About It
- For a sensitive skin shampoo it still gives a really deep clean that will help with oil build-up.
- The scent is light to neutral which is better for the dog and owner, especially people with scent sensitivity.
- It’s gentle enough for dogs that need a bath multiple times a week to manage those stinky dogs.
What We Don't Like
- It doesn’t resolve odor issues for all dogs.
A quick tip from the Vet!
Always be sure to rinse even more than you think you need to because dried shampoo on the skin causes terrible itching.
Underwater Dogs Haircare Shampoo
Our Rating:
4/5
Price Range: $$
This shampoo has a fairly simple ingredient list and though it’s not stated most of these products come from coconut these days. The origin of the fragrance is not stated but the scent is coconut vanilla milkshake, which may not be a good choice if you are on a diet.
Even though the company promotes this as a shampoo that will leave your dog soft it does recommend following up the shampooing with a conditioner. The company produces an entire pet care line so if you like this product you can additionally use conditions and soothing sprays.
The shampoo is manufactured by an Australian company, in Australia. They offer a 100% money-back guarantee. Safe and gentle products are declared to be a mission of the company but there is no statement regarding animal product testing. This company may not hit the mark for pet parents that are looking for companies that combine quality with a social mission.
What We Like About It
- The shampoo has a clean fresh scent that is enjoyable to pet owners that relieves odor issues.
- A good cleaning and conditioning shampoo that leaves dogs soft and moisturized.
- The shampoo rinses out well so it’s better for your dog's skin and less likely to cause irritation.
What We Don't Like
- The shampoo smell doesn’t linger for very long making some pet parents feel like the dog isn’t clean anymore even when the odor is controlled.
Why do dogs get odor problems?
As is the case with a lot of things in our lives there are multiple causes. Some dogs could have more than one cause at the same time. To think of it in the simplest terms odor comes from secretions made by your dog as well as things that are picked up in the environment. Dogs produce natural oils and secretions, get infections and they like to roll in things. We’ll take a look at each of these categories in detail.
Dirt and Grime
Dogs like to roll in the dirt, mud puddles and most anything that we think smells terrible. A huge variety of materials can get stuck in the hair or fur as well as the oils of the skin. Much of this material can’t be removed without really getting the oil off the skin.
Anal glands and gas
Dogs deal with a lot of digestive issues that can make them very gassy. In addition, dogs that have trouble breathing through their like Boston terriers and French bulldogs swallow a lot of air by mouth breathing and pass a lot of gas. The anal glands are a scent producing tissue that is part of the fecal marking system for dogs. When frightened and sometimes randomly the fluid is expressed. This is an extremely odiferous oily substance so water alone won’t get it off. Some dogs have medical conditions that complicate this.
Skin oils
There is actually a lot happening here. Due to genetic disposition or disease, some dogs produce excessive oil. The greasy coat will trap more debris. Also, the oil itself can go rancid when it has been on the skin for weeks and that has a bad odor. In addition, when heavy oil stays on the skin some dogs will get bacteria or yeast infections under the oil which creates more odor.
Medical issues
Endocrine diseases such as thyroid problems and Cushing’s in particular affect oil secretions in both quantity and consistency which affects proper self-grooming. Immune diseases, infections, wounds also create odors.
How does a dog shampoo for ordor work?
- If there is material on the coat that smells bad it will be gone after a good cleansing bath.
- If there is material on the coat that smells bad it will be gone after a good cleansing bath.
- Odor neutralizers are not a bad addition but I’d rather focus on not having compounds on my dog at all versus just not smelling them. It will make your dog’s skin healthier.
4 Reasons To Start Using Dog Shampoo for odor control
- Removing offensive odor is the driving factor.
- When excessive oils are removed from the skin it will be healthier and function better. Remember skin is an organ.
- Removing excessive oil can prevent infection from developing underneath.
- There are some shampoos that contain good soothing agents and moisturizers so you may be able to accomplish two things at once.
10 Tips For Choosing The Right Shampoo
Without a doubt, the number one thing we are looking for is that it works. It’s also very important that it be safe for our dogs and leaves their skin feeling good and the coat in good condition. The product should also be easy to use.
Eliminates odors
I know when I’m giving a bath to get rid of odors I want them gone, not just covered up. I hear this feeling echoed often. In order to eliminate the odor, the shampoo has to get at the cause, which means a deep cleaning wash.
Effective cleaning
In order for a shampoo to clean effectively, it has to get the oils off the skin and out of the coat. The dead skin and debris needs to be pulled off the skin level and out of the coat. The shampoo also has to rinse clear easily, because shampoo left on causes itching and even skin inflammation.
Quality ingredients
It’s important that the shampoo is made by the safest and most effective ingredients. There are both unsafe but effective ingredients, as well as safe but not effective ingredients. The entire formulation needs to be quality balanced to get the job done for our dogs and our homes.
The right pH level
Dog shampoo is formulated for dogs, having a pH of 6 to 7. Human shampoo is formulated usually around pH of 5 for humans. The big lesson here is to use dog shampoo. It’s good to have the added assurance on the bottle that it is indeed pH balance specifically for dogs.
Doesn’t cause skin sensitivity
It’s extremely important that the ingredients of the shampoo are safe, but there is also an individual aspect to this. Different dogs have differences in their skin chemistry so there is no one fits all shampoo. I encourage starting with an overall high-quality shampoo then really pay attention to how your dog feels after the first bath. This is a big part of why I love money-back guarantees. Even the best product simply won’t work for every dog.
Additional uses
- Dandruff: A proper cleaning shampoo will pull the dead skin away from the body. Dogs with severe dandruff will often look worse after their first bath because so much is brought up on to the coat. This actually means the shampoo worked really well.
- Itching: Many odor shampoos will have soothing agents in them like oatmeal and aloe vera that will help deal with the irritation and itching.
- Parasites: Unfortunately odor shampoos are NOT at all effective for parasites. Some fleas will fall off in the water spray but that’s about it.
Natural fragrances
Most of the time this means essential oils. People are highly variable as to whether they think they smell good or not. Strong scents, even when made of natural substances usually irritate your dog. With any new fragrance you try to see if it bothers either one of you, we’re all individuals.
Paraben-free?
Parabens are a preservative that originally was used in human products. There is a history of localized skin inflammation and suspicions of a link to cancer. There is very little factual evidence of harm in dogs, but the vast majority of manufacturers have already removed them and you will generally find a note right on the bottle or the manufacturer web site that they are not in the product.
Won’t wash away flea and tick treatment
This should be an issue of the past for most dogs. Oral flea and tick products are safe and far more effective. That said, there is no such thing as a shampoo that doesn’t wash off your topical product. The product settles in the oil glands and gets secreted all month, every time you strip away the oil, you strip away some product. This often results in the product only lasting 2 to 3 weeks instead of 4. So it’s true ONE bath will not strip your product off. If you want to wash your dog a couple of times a month you should be fine.
Cruelty-free
This is a term that is not clearly defined by law and does not always equate to no animal testing. There is leniency in that the final product may not have been tested on animals, though research was. Also, it has a different meaning when manufactured in another country. It’s a great idea, but unfortunately not a rock-solid guarantee that company ethics match yours.
What does it mean when your dog smells bad?
A Buildup of natural oils:
Your dog needs a bath. If the oils start to get rancid and hold variable kinds of the debris to the skin and coat there will be a strong odor. This is not that noticeable on outdoor animals but when they are sleeping in bed with you or joining you on the couch it can be pretty overwhelming.
Infection:
Yeast and bacterial infections can produce a lot of odor. If you give your dog a regular soothing grooming bath and the odor does not improve it’s a good idea to see your family veterinarian to check for health issues. Ear infections are a big part of this because they will often rub their ears and spread the smell to other parts of their bodies.
Anal glands:
This might be simply expressing the gland which dogs do mainly at times of fear or extreme excitement. The oily scent material gets into the coat. This also can be an infection in the gland which is common.
Dental disease:
When dogs have moderate to severe dental disease they have pus in their mouth and often distribute that to the coat during grooming. This can results in a foul smell all over. As a side note, I have seen plenty of dogs with over 10 abscessed teeth that were still eating dry food and chewing their dog bones and toys.
Eliminate the "Wet Dog" Smell
Generally, if your dog has an odor after bathing it is because all of the oils were not cleaned from the coat. Dogs have a natural scent and it’s accentuated when they are wet. So we have a twofold issue here, are you smelling something unusual or just normal dog scent that is not appealing to you.
I have found if you don’t like perfumes oatmeal shampoo competes really well with natural dog scent so you get a cooking oatmeal smell after the bath which most people like better. The best way to get your dog truly clean is to make sure that the shampoo is worked all the way through the coat to the skin level.
Home remedies for a smelly dog
- Skin conditioners (oatmeal spray). Dry itchy dogs sometimes have an odor due to the inflammation in their skin. Use of a moisturizer can help prevent this from getting away from you and becoming a bigger problem
- Routine bathing 2-4 times a month with a gentle grooming shampoo will decrease odor due to oils.
- Check under the tail. Dogs can have anal gland issues, urine scalding causing dermatitis or fecal material stuck in their fur. Manage problems early
- Daily tooth brushing. If your dog has calculus this will not resolve odor until your dog gets a professional dental cleaning at a veterinary clinic under anesthesia. Non-sedation dentistry has been established as ineffective and unsafe. Any time that you start brushing though will help the gums. I always recommend that my clients start brushing immediately so the habit is there to help maintain good dental health after cleaning. If you start brushing for a puppy you can often prevent a lot of dental diseases down the road.
F.A.Qs
How do I manage pet odor in my home? Keeping the dog clean is the starting point, but if the odor is already there, consider hiring a professional cleaner. Upholstery and carpet padding hold a lot of oils and debris and they can be very difficult to remove. Citrus cleaners are very good at breaking down oils and adding a clean scent so that is always an option.
How do you get dog smell out of your car? The quickest way is a professional detailing. If you want to do it yourself it depends on if you have leather or upholstery seats. The leather you should be able to wipe down with a leather cleaner and take care of it. Upholstery and carpeting you can steam clean, wipe down and then there are always odor neutralizers like Febreeze type products.
My dog doesn’t like water, how can I keep him clean? For most dogs, I’ve had my greatest success with reward training. Take baby steps. Have your dog sit near the wash area (tub, hose etc.) and give them a treat.
Start with a few seconds, work up to a minute. Once the dog can calmly sit for treats then turn the water on and give treats.
Once your dog can calmly sit next to running water, splash a little on the dog and give treats.
Little by little you acclimate your dog to the water. Do this VERY slowly in tiny steps. If you frighten the dog go back to the start.
This can take months in very skittish dogs, but once you’ve done it you simply give them a bath when you want to.
The alternative would be waterless dog shampoo. This does not work as well but does help. Also, you can take the dog to a groomer. Often times they act up less when you aren’t there, it depends on the dog.
When should I take my dog to the veterinarian for the odor?
If you give your dog a good cleansing bath and the odor remains I would make the appointment at the first available. The range of problems go from mild to severe, but they are all easier to resolve the earlier they are managed.
conclusion
With dogs happily living in our homes and sleeping in our beds odor management is a big issue. Our top pick for best odor shampoo for dogs is Lillian Ruff oatmeal shampoo with Lavender coconut scent. The shampoo is mild, but will lift away oil and clean effectively. It’s safe to use as a regular grooming shampoo and will fight odor, leaving a pleasant scent that often lasts more than a week. As with all things puppy, every dog is an individual so look at the information, try the products you feel comfortable with and try it out for your dog and family.
Certified content.
This guide has been written and verified by our veterinary advisor.
Approved By: Dr. Jennifer Peters.
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