Dog body odor is mostly caused by the secretions of sebaceous glands and apocrine sweat glands being decomposed by microorganisms, forming strong-smelling substances. Dog body odor will increase as the temperature and humidity increase. This is because odor-causing microorganisms become more active as temperatures and humidity rise. Microorganisms will multiply rapidly in environments where the temperature is higher than 25°C and the humidity is higher than 70%. Therefore, in summer and the rainy season when the temperature and humidity are high, the dog's odor will be stronger than in other seasons.

1. Bad breath

Bad breath is the number one killer of dogs with body odor. After a dog eats, food residue remains between the teeth, causing a bad odor in the mouth. But this is only a minor problem because saliva washes away food particles very quickly. Persistent bad breath is caused by periodontal disease (gum).

Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar between the teeth. Bacteria survive and multiply in the warm and moist mouth, and they release substances containing sulfur, which is the source of the odor. Some medicines that claim to be able to cure persistent bad breath in dogs can only temporarily cover the odor, but cannot cure the root cause. So when your dog has bad breath, you should take it to the veterinarian. Bacteria in the mouth can enter the blood vessels through the gum tissue.

Studies have found that bad breath in dogs can cause problems with other body organs and stimulate the growth of tumors. Bad breath can cause the tissue in the tooth pulp to die, causing the tooth root to loosen and the tooth to fall out. In serious cases, only root canal treatment and antibiotics can solve the problem. In addition to problems with the teeth themselves, older dogs often suffer from oral tumors, puppies chewing on wires that cause electric shock to the oral tissues, diseases of the throat, nasal cavity, mouth, esophagus, etc., and disorders of the liver and pancreas. , will cause dogs to have bad breath.

Another disease that causes bad breath is cheilitis. This disease often occurs in dog breeds with wrinkled lips, such as spaniels. The odor caused by cheilitis is like "Athlete's Foot", and veterinarians will use antibiotics to treat the dog. As long as the dog's lips are kept clean and dry, and the hair near the lips is cut short, the chance of cheilitis can be greatly reduced. Dogs with chronic kidney disease will have bad breath because their blood has higher concentrations of urea, which is excreted in saliva. Urea is decomposed into ammonia (ammonia) in the mouth, causing bad breath.

2. Odor emitted by skin

It is common for dogs to smell if they have wounds on their skin. However, the wound can become enlarged due to bacterial infection, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus. Allergies, hormonal issues, and endocrine disorders can cause odor in your dog's skin. This smell and the fleas that live on the dog's skin are the source of the odor. Dogs will also scratch their skin because of itching, which can lead toleading to more serious bacterial infections.

Another source of odor is that dogs lick their skin with their tongues for a long time. The saliva will accumulate bacteria and dust in the fur, causing the odor to emit.

3. The smell from the ears

Dog ears that smell bad are caused by bacterial or parasitic infection. A yeast infection in the ears can cause a sweet, fruity smell. Dog breeds with long ears are prone to these problems. Long ears can hinder blood circulation and make them more susceptible to dirt. Dog owners can use cotton swabs dipped in alcohol to clean their dogs' ears every two weeks. In serious cases, it is best to take the dog to a veterinary clinic for detailed examination and appropriate treatment.