Try the Selsun Gold it really helped with my guy although it did take a full course of anti bios to really knock it out all the way
If you need to bathe weekly, 2 in 1 baby shampoo with conditioner. Easy to rinse, easy on their skin and hair. I dilute it 2 or 3 to 1 in an old bottle which makes it easier to apply evenly.
2 Likes
Following with interest as we have a Golden boy who is hands down the stinkiest dog I’ve ever met in my life. Even with regular grooming and monthly baths (I also don’t want to give him a bath too often and he has ear issues so want to keep him dry most of the time) he just is musty.
1 Like
I agree trying a new diet is a good idea. In the meantime, there are dog deodorizing powders and sprays out there that might make things more pleasant for you as you try to figure this out. Here are a couple that sound nice and gentle:
Ohh I’ve heard of Coat Defense for horses for rain rot and help them dry faster in the winter. Interesting!
I do have a “conditioning” spray that is cucumber melon or something, he acts like I’m murderizing him when I use it, which is rare because I forget I have it most of the time. But 
I’ll try this, and @Bonnie2 thanks for the baby shampoo idea.
Is he peeing on his foreleg or belly fringe?
1 Like
No, it’s not a pee smell at all. It’s… musty/musky? It’s impossible to define
So I ordered some of that Coat Defender stuff for doggos. I clearly didn’t read the ad on Amazon that well, I was shocked as hell when it showed up and is the size of a SALT SHAKER. Ooof.
Trial size
At not-trial-size price!! Argh. It was $15. My brain didn’t process what 3.5 ounces would look like in real life I guess.
1 Like
Yikes!
I have always thought their stuff was on the pricey side. If it works, though, it might be worth it. And just then buy refills for a slightly better price.
1 Like
I’m pretty sure I know exactly the smell you mean because my Aussie has something that sounds similar. His reminds me of what I remember the butcher shop dry aging room smelled like when we picked up meat as a child, plus a hint of “kid who just came in from outside”. It’s a uniquely musky/musty, almost gamy bouquet that I’ve yet to make a dent in.
1 Like
I’ve never smelled a dry aging room, but yes that outside-ass smell is pretty close. He’s a little muskier than that but close!!
1 Like
Well the Coat Defense actually worked. Thought I had created the opposite of black face with my red boy but it shook down into the coat eventually and both smell good!!
6 Likes
It is not cheap, like you mentioned up thread, but Coat Defense was the only shampoo to get rid of the skunk spray on my dog last year.
its good stuff.
2 Likes
Please report back on how long it lasts or how long before the unpleasant odor returns.
I ordered some of the coat defense to give it a try!
My puppy has above average dog odor that doesn’t decrease with any of the usual interventions. I have some “doggy deodorant” for her which helps, but it’s very chemically smelling, like a bad air freshener.
1 Like
Well the coat defense is pleasant smelling, a little “cedarwood” but not like a candle.
1 Like
This is a great thread, since I too have an exceptionally stinky dog … a pit/lab cross who had some of his salivary glands removed when he went to the shelter we got him from. So he has chronic dry mouth with really stinky bad dog breath and a really strong “doggy” odor.
Interestingly, I made hubby give away a half bag of Purina Pro (he bought 2 bags on a “buy one get 50% off” deal) after we fed one bag and his skin got really bad, his stink got even worse, the hair around his eyes fell out (so weird looking) and he got hot spots and would NOT stop licking and biting.
Previously, last year maybe (?), when he looked like this one time the vet had prescribed prednisone and he did look better after a while. Of course, we rotate dog food brands so I hadn’t put it together until the same symptoms came back and I had a lightbulb moment with the food being the only thing that changed. And it took several weeks for the symptoms to advance to where I put it together as the allergy we had treated before. I think he didn’t react this strongly previously, but the last few years as he’s aged perhaps his allergy is getting worse.
Anyway, now I’ll try to figure out which protein it was and look to see if we can find “cool” proteins to see if perhaps that might reduce his stank. 'Cause he’s a STANKY boy! (Although sweet as pie and the very lowest on our household animal totem pole.)
Thanks, all, for the advice in this thread!
Here are some quick examples;
Cool proteins are = Rabbit, duck, cod, minnows, whitefish
Neutrals are = pork, beef, bison, salmon (I am careful with salmon) quail, herring, mackerel and sardines.
I am going to use Primal Pet foods for example. On the back of their freeze dried nugget bags, it will list if the protein is N - neutral, H - hot, and C - cooling.
scroll down to the TCM for Itchy Dogs section: https://mypetnutritionist.com/post/how-traditional-chinese-medicine-can-help-my-dog/
Here is another good resource: https://www.herbsmithinc.com/food-energetics-and-your-pet/
We are all here to help!
1 Like
The Coat Defense arrived today and it definitely makes a difference. I’m not sure it is the “answer,” but it undoubtedly helps.
I’m thinking of changing my girl’s food yet again. She is eating Orijen Puppy, but the first two ingredients are chicken and turkey. If that is contributing to odor, that means I could save money and have a less stinky dog by switching to something else. 
3 Likes
