Why Does My Dog Smell Like Yeast – If you have a dog, hot weather inevitably makes dogs wet, especially if you live near an ocean, river, or basically any other body of water that your canine companion finds attractive. It probably hasn’t gone unnoticed that dogs smell horrible after getting wet. Why is that? Chemistry and biology combined can help explain.
Let’s get biology out of the way first. When you take your dog for a walk, you are actually taking a large number of microbes for a walk as well. These bacteria and yeasts live happily inside your dog’s coat regardless of what these microorganisms do, producing a variety of volatile organic compounds in the process. This is the origin of what will be the olfactory assault of the smell of wet dog.
Why Does My Dog Smell Like Yeast
If these volatile organic compounds are produced all the time, you may be wondering why a wet dog smells so much worse than a dry dog. The water has a hand in it; Helps break down bacteria and yeast microorganisms in the dog’s coat. As the water evaporates from the dog’s fur, it can take some volatile compounds with it, allowing them to make their way into the nose. As water vapor forms, the humidity of the air around the dog also increases, and because humid air can accommodate a higher concentration of odor molecules, the effect is intensified.
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So what do we know about the chemical identities behind the wet dog smell? For starters, we know it’s a complicated picture: There isn’t a single molecule that will turn man’s best friend into his nose’s worst enemy with the addition of water. Instead, there is a cornucopia of contributing molecules, which individually may have different odors, but collectively make a stinky dog a stinky dog.
Perhaps surprisingly, there hasn’t been much research on wet dog odor, but a pilot study was conducted several years ago to compare the differences between the compounds emitted by wet and dry dog hair. The study identified several compounds whose concentrations increased when the dog’s fur was wet; These include a whole range of stand-alone scents, from ‘sulphur’ to ‘medicinal’, fruity and ‘earthy’. They also found that the concentration of some compounds increased much more than others.
Concentrations of benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, acetaldehyde, phenol, and 2-methylbutanol increased to a greater extent in dry dog hair than in other compounds. On the other hand, a decrease in the concentration of some compounds was observed. The compounds for which the most significant reductions were observed were isovaleric acid and various straight chain aldehydes.
This all adds up to a very complex pattern of changes, and based on this study alone, it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact compounds that make a wet dog smell so much worse than a dry dog. However, we can understand that this is definitely the result of the different concentrations of the various compounds involved. The authors of the study state that “the type of variation reflects a possible chemical or biochemical response of the hair.”
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Clearly, much remains to be discovered when it comes to wet dog odors – while this study gives us the big picture, more will be needed to officially identify the key odors. Until then, at least we know that it’s not the dogs we have to blame for the awful smell, but the microbes they carry.
If that’s not enough for you with dog-related smell, check out this previous video from ACS Reactions, which explores some aspects of a dog’s sense of smell.
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The graphic in this article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. See the Site Content Usage Guidelines. If you’re sitting on the couch next to your dog and suddenly see something, it’s likely your dog’s rectal glands.
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However, if the fishy odor doesn’t go away or gets worse, it could be a sign of something else.
Two small sacs are located inside the anus at 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock. (This is how I learned the position from him when I was a veteran technician)
These sacs are lined with sweat glands (scent glands) that release a foul-smelling fluid that serves as a scent marker for dogs.
When your dog defecates, the fecal sacs press on them, releasing secretions from the anal glands, and this provides a unique scent and other information about your dog to other dogs.
Do Your Dog’s Feet Smell Like Fritos?
I know, it’s weird, but it’s also cool as long as the liquid doesn’t stain you or your furniture.
Some dogs have rectal sac disease which is a very common condition in small breed or obese dogs but any dog can have problems with rectal sacs.
Sometimes the dried fluid blocks the narrow ducts in the dog’s anal sacs for the glands to fill.
Instead of being a thin discharge, the fluid thickens like a paste and cannot be removed manually.
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Some dogs will have anal gland tumors that will limit your dog’s ability to express the anal glands.
These tumors are not very common in dogs and if your dog has rectal gland problems, your vet will probably be looking for tumors every time he reveals his rectal glands.
While some dog breeds are prone to rectal sac disease, there are some preventative measures you can take to help keep that fishy odor at bay.
While rectal glands are the most common reason most dogs smell fishy, some other conditions can cause this odor as well.
Why Do Wet Dogs Have A Wet Dog Smell?
Bad breath from a dog’s mouth can be a sign of periodontal disease or a dental infection.
Pet parents can brush their dog’s teeth regularly and get routine dental care from their veterinarian to stay on top of dental disease.
If you notice that your dog is not eating well, pawing at his mouth, having trouble chewing food or treats, and has bad breath, make an appointment with your vet to have your dog’s mouth examined.
They can cause a bacterial infection or yeast infection that can be quite nasty if left untreated.
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If your dog chews on his skin and it is red with a discharge, he probably has a skin infection and should see a vet.
If you notice a strong pungent odor when your dog urinates, strains to urinate, urinates in small amounts, or urinates more frequently than usual, you should contact your veterinarian.
Female dogs that are not spayed can also experience vaginal discharge and are also at risk for pyometra.
This is an infection in the uterus and is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
Does Your Dog Smell Bad? It Could Signal A Serious Health Issue
If your dog smells fishy, the best thing to do is contact your vet.
If your dog needs to have his anal glands cleaned regularly, you can ask your vet to show you how to do this or contact a professional groomer.
If your dog has infected anal glands, your vet will clean them out, prescribe an antibiotic, and sometimes offer pain relievers to help ease the pain.
In some cases, the infected rectal gland may need to be flushed to remove all dried secretions from the sac.
My Dog Stinks
If your dog accidentally spills some poop on your couch or blanket, toss your blanket in the dryer and clean your couch with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle.
This can help get rid of a lot of that nasty smell, but you may have to wash it several times.
For your dog, you can use homemade dog wipes, store-bought pet wipes, or dry shampoo to help eliminate odors.
If you’re still not sure if your dog’s rectal sacs have that fishy smell or if something else is wrong with them, the best way to know for sure is to take him to the vet. Take him to the doctor!
How To Stop Yeast Overgrowth Induced Hair Loss And Itching In Dogs
Skin infections and hot spots are caused by what most people think are allergies or food sensitivities when, in fact, it is more likely a fungal overgrowth in the body. Yeast thrives in warm, humid conditions on the skin of a dog that has an imbalance of bad gut bacteria – the growth of these bad bacteria and yeast is supported by a high carbohydrate diet and the support of good gut bacteria . foods, such as probiotics (kefir, raw goat’s milk, green beef tripe are good sources or you can buy a probiotic supplement designed for dogs to add to their food) many kibble 45-50% are carbohydrates aka sugar (which is metabolized to glucose) that a dog eats. Imbalanced system: The pancreas has to work harder to produce high levels of insulin, which leads to inflammation. Inflammation is the cause of everything
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