Long or short hair, big dog or chihuahua, it doesn’t matter: if it rains your dog will come home smelling like a wet dog. If washing it every day during rainy periods (in autumn and spring) is not an option, here are some ways to ensure that your interior does not smell like a kennel.
Wet dog smell: where does it come from?
Why do dogs smell bad after taking water, even if they were bathed recently? Long mane or short hair doesn’t matter, they will smell bad, because it’s not the hair that matters but the skin. On Tik Tok, veterinary doctor Katrina Warren (@DrKatrina) explains that dogs’ skin is covered in micro-organisms with which bacteria and yeast interact. When the dog comes into contact with water (or even a very humid environment), the yeasts proliferate and give off a pungent, rather unpleasant odor.
@drkatrinawarren Why do wet dogs smell so bad? Its usually do to the bacteria and yeast that live on their skin – these microorganisms release by-products that combine with water and smell awful as the water evaproates. Natural oils on tbe coat can also contribute to the smell when wet. #wetdog #smellydog #pettips
How to avoid this?
After a walk, if your dog is just a little damp, wipe his skin with a baby wipe to rid it of bacteria. Then put it to dry in a dry room, if possible ventilated.
How to remove wet dog smell from textiles (carpet, sofa, armchairs, basket, etc.)?
On a sofa, their dedicated fabric basket or a rug, several techniques can be considered to get rid of this smell:
- Baking soda. On a dry fabric, sprinkle with bicarbonate, spread with a cloth to distribute into the fiber of the fabric. Leave it on for around thirty minutes, then vacuum slowly, advises Alexandre Cressiot, the Viking of the household.
- Another solution is to use a natural spray. In an empty spray bottle, pour hot water with Marseille soap flakes (or grated) and a little baking soda. Spray, rub with a microfiber cloth, let dry with good ventilation. The fabric should not be soaked, just sprayed!
- Finally, you can spray odors, if possible astringent, like lemon essential oil! In an empty spray bottle, pour water and 2-3 drops of essential oil and spray (always ventilate afterwards).
How to remove the “wet dog” smell from a car?
These different techniques also work in the car, if your seats and benches are made of fabric. However, unless the weather is very nice and warm, avoid spraying too much liquid on a car seat if you cannot air it out or dry it afterwards, as you risk creating mold.
The most radical solution is to rent or purchase a fabric steam cleaner. By heating it washes the fabrics while sucking up bacteria and other mites. Some allow you to add a product to clean deeply. Attention however, if you want to scent your car seats with essential oils, do not use lemon. Photosensitive, it could create spots in reaction to the sun.
Washing your dog: precautions to take to avoid bad odors
If your dog does not have a specific dermatological disease or disorder, the recommendation is to shower him monthly (or take him to the groomer). During rainy periods, especially in autumn and spring, especially if you are used to taking long walks in the forest, in wet/muddy terrain or in the sea, you can give it two showers per month.
If the temperature is suitable (not less than 15-20°C) and your dog is an outdoor species, you can give him a shower or bath outside, provided everything is even towel dry him before and after he snorts.
If you wash it in your bathroom, protect and prepare your room beforehand, place a low-pile rug or large terry towel on the floor, remove non-essential fabrics and ventilate throughout. After showering, clean the shower tray or bathtub well with an antibacterial product. You can add a few drops of lemon essential oil to your product.
Dry your dog with a towel and/or hairdryer set to a low temperature (his skin is more sensitive to heat than yours). Then, take it to a room that you can ventilate so that it can finish drying. You can then diffuse essential oils in the bathroom and in the room where it has dried, eucalyptus for example.