Why does my little dog STINK?

[KSAQHA]

Have a 10-yr old neutered male Yorkie. In great health, not overweight, teeth cleaned annually, and anal glands expressed when he gets clipped (3 times a year…told they’re normal). It’s almost an acrid odor that remains even after bathing or dousing with doggie deodorant. Not a recent thing, either, it’s been a few years dealing with his stinkiness. I wash his bed every time he gets bathed, as well. A friend said to switch him to a premium-type dogfood (can’t remember which brand), but his groomer, whom also shows dogs, didn’t seem to be familiar with that idea.

So why is he so stinky and what can I do about it? He literally smells worse than the big outdoor dog, who’s never allowed in the house and hasn’t been bathed in years.

It just makes him so…unloveable.

[SuckerForHorses]

What goes it, must come out, and that includes through the pores

yes, switch his food

[KSAQHA]

Any good suggestions?

[kasjordan]

Yep- switch his food. My 100+ long haired Shepherd has had ONE bath in his life, when he was about 10 weeks old. He has zero smell to him. He’s been on TOTW, Blue Buffalo and 4 Health Grain Free food…

[Foxtrot_s]

Where is it coming from? He may have his teeth cleaned, but if he’s got one decayed one, it will still smell. Our daschie eventually had all his teeth removed and got a new lease of life without all that bacteria being swallowed. He lived to be 17.

Is it his hairy face, from food?

Our white bull terrier has terrible skin, and while I don’t liken him to your terrier, I shampoo him in a shampoo designed to kill yeast (Mal-A-Ket, online)
and if I am consistent, he is much better, scratches less, and his bedding does not need to be washed so often.

[wendy]

what are you feeding him? many dogs fed low-quality foods have an unpleasant body odor; try switching to a better food: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods-dry/

also examine him carefully- skin infections, ear infections, sinus infections can all lead to smells; allergies can lead to bad smells as well.

[candysgirl]

Yorkies shouldn’t have any real odor to them. Does he have matting? Matting will hold odors if he isn’t kept brushed out. Unless you’re brushing daily or every other day, he really ought to be groomed more than three times a year.

I would definitely try switching foods. My dogs are all on Royal Canin and do great on it. Pretty much anything you can buy at a grocery store is going to be junk.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=KSAQHA;7060562]
Any good suggestions?[/QUOTE]

I think switching foods is a pretty good suggestion.

You might want to talk to your vet about this. Then the vet can check your dog’s skin, ears, teeth, etc.

[BetterOffRed]

I would definately switch his food to something with premium ingredients. Also, what treats/snacks do you give him? That could be part of it as well.

[BuddyRoo]

I would consider also that there might be food stuck around the muzzle, possible seborrhea, maybe some allergies/secondary infections, and ear issues.

[KSAQHA]

To answer questions…in random order:

• By grooming, I mean the dog gets a haircut, three times a year. I bathe him about three times a month. Brushed as needed.

• No mats; no food/debris around his mouth…I have an aversion to both.

• No skin, teeth, or ear issues reported at last vet check in April.

• The smell just emanates…no particular spot or area.

• He gets no scraps, an occasional dog biscuit, and is fed Kibble n Bits for Small Breeds.

I know, junk. It probably is the food. Used to feed Royal Canin when we first got him, guess I need to go back to it.

Quite frankly, I’m not much of a dog person, so am not one to fret over trying to meet high standards of dog-keeping. He was DD’s wish gift, and these days about the only interest she has is posing and posting Twitter pics of the two of them…after I’ve given him a bath…and I’d much rather be bathing a horse. There will be no more little house dogs after he’s gone.

[kelliope]

It’s the food. My sister fed her dogs Beneful and they stunk so bad you couldn’t pet them. And you had to leave the county if they pooped!!! Switched foods to Kirkland - no more stench and no more REEKING craps!!!

[Foxtrot_s]

We feed the Costco grain free. It’s not a high end, elite food that is overly advertised, but a lot of people think it is a good food. We put yogurt in our boxer’s food. Helps her digestion (gas).

[Houdini1220]

I like the Wellness grain free…both my dogs only stink when they roll in something they shouldn’t :lol:

[candysgirl]

FWIW, the grain free Costco Kirkland is actually one of the high end brands repackaged for Costco. A friend of mine feeds it, but I can’t remember which brand it started as. It is a good food.

I would put money on it being the food. Switch to Royal Canin, Wellness, Kirkland something like that. I bet the smell is gone in a month or so.

[KSAQHA]

Okay, I ended up buying Eukanuba Yorkie food, because it was a better buy, weight-wise, than Royal Canin…but, sheesh, they’re both pricey! Is it a decent food? Petsmart employees don’t seem to have a clue about the merchandise they sell…not to sound harsh. Unfortunately, I don’t have a Costco membership.

So, time will smell…er…tell. :uhoh:

[lovey1121]

My coming 5 y o intact male black Lab gets a mite loud:no:. I say he stinks; husband maintains he smells MANLY Fortunately it goes away after a bath.

He’s healthy, shiny, perfect teeth, eats Blue Buffalo Wilderness.

[alto]

[QUOTE=KSAQHA;7063749]
Okay, I ended up buying Eukanuba Yorkie food, because it was a better buy, weight-wise, than Royal Canin…but, sheesh, they’re both pricey! Is it a decent food? [/QUOTE]

Dog Food Analysis Write up

If needed you can return the food

[Sonesta]

Eukanuba is crap, too. Best buy for a decent food is Nature’s Recipe Sensitive Skin Formula or their Grain Free versions. YES, they are pricey. But do you want to get rid of the stink? And, for heaven’s sake, a Yorkie doesn’t eat much.

Listen, just go to www.dogfoodadvisor.com and read about the foods. Learn what NOT to buy. The most important? No wheat, corn, gluten, beef or chicken, as those are the most common food allergens in dogs.

[GraceLikeRain]

@KSAQHA;7063749

Okay, I ended up buying Eukanuba Yorkie food, because it was a better buy, weight-wise, than Royal Canin…but, sheesh, they’re both pricey! Is it a decent food?

Don’t ask us.

I understand this was a present for DD but if she isn’t going to assume care then someone must. It seems like you already do a lot in terms of bathing, grooming, and daily care so why not spend a hour and read about dog food? There are literally dozens of foods that are better than Eukanuba but no one can say which will be best for you. Do your research and determine your priorities. Some people value the quality of grains, others the quantity and variety of meat sources. Don’t let strangers on the internet or a salesmen determine what is best for your animal.

Systematically try foods working between novel grain and protein sources. Avoiding corn, wheat, and chicken takes care of number of common allergens. Chart changes in smell, palatability, gas, bowel movements, coat condition, etc. as you try new foods.

Also make sure you are using a gentle shampoo suited for a drop coated breed. Human shampoo can strip the coat resulting in excessive oil production and dog shampoos not meant to work deep might not target all of the dirt.