What Causes Wet Dog Smell And Can The Right Cologne Stop It?
As the days get longer, you have more chances than ever to take your dog out and about, but one of the frustrations for pet owners comes when they notice their home becomes filled with a distinctive ammonia-like aroma.
Most of us know the smell of wet dog when we breathe it in, and when a dog has a particularly pungent aroma, it can be offputting.
Carefully formulated dog colognes can help not only mask wet dog smell but get rid of it entirely, but to understand how they work and which one is best for your dog, it is important to know what causes wet dog smell in the first place.
What causes wet dog smell?
Much like how human sweat gets smelly, wet dog smell comes from the reaction of the bacteria, yeast and natural oils which reside on your dog’s skin and fur to moisture.
These bacteria produce volatile organic compounds, which react with water and are released into the nearby air as this water evaporates. The result is a dank, musty odour that remains even after your dog has dried off completely and their coat is thoroughly brushed.
Are some dogs smellier than others?
Different breeds are more prone to wet dog smell than others, with Shar-Pei puppies, bulldogs and pugs prone to trapped moisture because of their loose skin folds.
Similarly, Basset hounds have oily skin, while other breeds - such as boxers - often drool, all of which contribute to extra moisture and extra-strong scents.
This all means that the right approach to stopping wet dog smell will vary depending on your breed, if they have any extra conditions and how often you groom them.
A properly-chosen perfume will help to neutralise the smell and replace it with something more appealing, whilst regular grooming, drying your dog thoroughly after bathing and investing in mats and washable sofa covers can all stop the smell spreading.
