How to deal with fishy smell in dogs

Anyone who loves dogs must learn to accept that this four-legged friend sometimes stinks. But what if your dog always has a very unpleasant fishy smell? This condition is usually caused by swelling of the anal sac, so this article will focus more on this issue. However, we will also show how to recognize and treat other diseases and how to get rid of fishy odors in dogs and around the house.

Table of Contents

Why does my dog smell like fish?

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The dog’s anal sac is swollen. The anal sac secretes a scent-marked chemical every time the dog has a bowel movement. (That’s why dogs often sniff each other’s butts and poop!) The scent of this marker is a bit fishy, but you should watch out for the following signs if your dog has a distinctly fishy odor: ^{[1] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to the source}

Dragging, licking and other signs that the dog is upset . If your dog drags his butt on the floor or often licks and bites his anus, his anal sac is probably swollen.
Visibly swollen left and right anus . Dogs have two anal sacs, one on each side of the anal opening. If you see a lump just to the left or right of the anal opening, think about swelling in the anal sac.
There are indications of less common but more serious problems . If there is blood or pus oozing from the anal sac, or the anal sac is visibly red and hot, the sacs are probably infected. If one of the pouches is swollen and hard to the touch (it should normally be a little soft), your dog may have a tumor. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

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Urinary tract infection (UTI). There is a high chance that your dog has a urinary tract infection if his urine has a fishy odor. However, you should also suspect your dog of a UTI if the smell of the urine changes markedly and is very pronounced (even if there is no fishy smell). Contact your veterinarian if you think your dog has a UTI. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Bladder infections and kidney stones can also cause a dog’s urine to have a fishy odor.

What should I do when my dog has anal sac swelling?

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Call your veterinarian if you suspect any anal sac problems. You may be facing a minor problem (if your dog stinks) that is easy to treat, but your dog is likely to have a more serious problem. Unless your veterinarian has instructed you to watch for signs and what to do, you should contact your veterinarian immediately instead of resorting to home remedies. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Untreated anal sac swelling can be dangerous for dogs, but improper treatment is equally dangerous.

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Watch as your veterinarian or dog groomer “squeezes” your dog’s swollen anal sac. When you call your veterinarian and tell him about your symptoms, he or she may tell you to bring your dog to the clinic or refer you to a service to “squeeze” the anal sacs – that is, gently squeeze. This is a quick, easy, and painless trick for dogs if you know how – but it’s messy and stinky! ^{[6] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to Source}

The scent-marking fluid secreted by the anal glands will thicken inside the swollen anal sac, so it will be a brown, sticky paste-like residue when pressed out. If you are prone to vomiting and do not intend to do this yourself, stand near the dog’s head to help calm him.

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Do this procedure yourself if your veterinarian approves and instructs. For your dog’s safety, do not attempt to squeeze your dog’s anal sac without training. If this is a recurring condition, your veterinarian can tell you when to squeeze your dog’s anal sac and teach you how to do it right. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Small breed dogs are prone to recurrent anal sac swelling. If you have a small dog, your veterinarian can teach you how to compress your dog’s anal sac to reduce the need to visit the clinic.
Once you know how to do it, the colostomy for dogs is a simple upkeep. But you can completely leave this stinky and unpleasant job to a professional to handle! ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Take measures to prevent recurrence of anal sac problems. Although some dogs, especially small breeds, are inherently more prone to anal sac problems, the risk is certainly reduced if you keep your dog healthy. No matter how big or small your dog is, if your dog has ever had an anal sac problem, take the following precautions: ^{[9] X Trusted Source American Kennel Club Go to source}

Feed your dog a high-fiber diet so that the dog has large, well-formed stools.
Give your dog enough water to keep the poop from becoming hard.
Give your dog regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

How to deal with fishy odors in dogs and in the house?

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Treat known diseases that cause fishy odors, if present.

Swollen anal sac . See the relevant section in this article.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) . After the vet makes a diagnosis, give your dog an antibiotic and pain reliever prescribed by the vet. Ask your veterinarian if dietary changes or supplements can help prevent UTIs. ^{[10] X Research Source}
Endometritis (infection of the uterus) . The most common method is oophorectomy, but other treatments are available, so you should talk to your veterinarian about your options. ^{[11] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Periodontal (gum) disease . Treatment usually includes a dental and gum cleaning performed by your veterinarian, followed by oral care instructions and changes to your dog’s diet for you to do at home. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Clean around the dog’s butt daily. Dampen a soft towel with warm water mixed with a mild, non-toxic dog soap, or purchase a special wet wipe for dogs. Lift the dog’s tail to wipe away any visible poop and scent trails you don’t see. Dry the dog’s bottom with a soft cloth to prevent wetness under the tail. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Healthy dogs often release a scent that marks each bowel movement or when startled or scared.
After cleaning, you can spray a thin layer of the product to prevent dirt (and feces) from sticking to your dog’s coat.

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Bathe your dog once a week. The basic steps for bathing a dog are quite simple: wet the dog’s coat with warm water from the neck to the tail. Use your hands to rub the dog bath oil (do not use human shower gel). Rinse off the soap with warm water, then pat dry and brush your dog’s coat. Wash your dog’s face separately with a soft, damp cotton towel, without soap or bath oils.

Don’t bathe your dog more than once a week—except in occasional cases when the dog is dirty or has a strong odor—unless your doctor agrees. If there are no odor problems, indoor dogs only need to be bathed every few months. ^{[14] X Trusted Source Washington State University Cplege of Veterinary Medicine Go to source}

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Wash your dog’s bedding at least once a week. Put 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda in the washing machine, then put the dog’s bed, dog towels, and other washable dog items in the machine. Use your regular laundry detergent and wash cycle, then hang to dry if possible. If items still smell fishy, try using an enzyme laundry soap with baking soda. ^{[15] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source}

Enzyme cleaners contain beneficial bacteria that release enzymes to break down odor-causing molecules, which are then absorbed by bacteria.

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Try using baking soda or vinegar to get rid of fishy odors in your home. To get rid of dog odors on carpeting, rugs, and upholstery, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on surfaces in your home, wait 30 minutes, then vacuum it up. Another way is to mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the smelly areas, then pat dry with a clean rag.

For hard surfaces, you can spray the vinegar solution and dry as you would with other cleaning sprays.

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Use an enzyme cleaner to get rid of persistent odors on furniture. Similar to laundry soap, enzymatic deodorants use beneficial bacteria to break down and absorb odor-causing molecules. Enzyme cleaners are safe for most household surfaces, but you should always follow the instructions of your chosen product. ^{[16] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source}

You can use an all-purpose enzyme cleaner or a pet deodorizer (or even a dog deodorizer).

Steps

Why does my dog smell like fish?

What should I do when my dog has anal sac swelling?

How to deal with fishy odors in dogs and in the house?

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