I have a friend whose dog, Oreo, had a near-accident experience. Then rinse. Youll smell fish from their breath, especially when they belch. A foul odor coming. Dogs carry parasites that can infect people. Factors like gender, age, breed and conformation (the way your dogs body is formed) can all have an impact on how likely it is for them to develop a fish smell. It could be a condition called vestibular disease. If your female dog has anal sac disease, then this is most likely why she smells. If your dog has a UTI (urinary tract infection), his or her pee may smell fishy. If left untreated, your dog might need surgery. 2023 It helps canines leave their scent for other dogs. They may eat their own poop. They could spread the smell to places where they sit. Consequently, the bad breath from the secretions will be gone. If you have a dog, then you will know how big a part of our lives that they can become. Being stressed or afraid is one of the reasons. They love to explore their surroundings. And this puts them at risk of infection in the womb. Warning: Manual expressing the anal sacs is not recommended for all dogs. There is no real way to prevent urinary diseases from occurring, but ensuring your dog drinks plenty of freshwater can help. If you notice the fishy smell when peeing, tune in to their other symptoms. Que horror! Your dog will experience vaginal discharge with a greenish tinge. They may not be ready to beat you in a game of chess, but these brainy dogs are easy to train and generally eager to please you. Neglecting your dogs teeth will find you in a sea of troubles. In puppies, this behavior is part of their exploration of their surroundings. This is because the dog was having digestive issues. If you start to realize that your female dogs behind is stinking of fish, or if her breath and pee are smelling strong, then it could be one of the following issues. If your dog smells particularly fishy from the butt, then this could be a sign that there are cysts and abscesses of tumors inside the anal glands. More specifically, the fishy breath smell could be the result of bacterial metabolism that lives on your female dogs gums, the top of their tongue and plaque on their teeth. One reason why your dog smells like fish could be anal sac disease. If youve been diligent with your dogs oral care, and their breath still smells like someone opened a can of tuna, youll need to make a vet visit. Removing bad teeth and cleaning the mouth in this way will reduce the bacteria present and create fresher breath. Its quite common for female dogs to smell like fish, whether thats their backside, breath, or pee, as I will explain today. Her dog had decided to roll in fresh cat poop. Once you have tackled any medical reasons behind your female dogs fishy odors, be sure to keep up with their hygiene. Also, dont use chlorophyll when you intend to breed the dog. Why not smell the face? Before you go, check out these ridiculously good deals. But if your dog hates getting their gums and teeth touched, youve got another alternative. A foul odor coming from the mouth can be a sign of bacterial overgrowth. She said that her dog had a very sensitive stomach. A dog parent shares online about her Pomeranian. Is the fishy smell coming from your female dog's genital area? The discharge usually does not leave a stain and is entirely gone within 24 hours. Notice the smell when you and your pup are up close and personal? So provide your dog with plenty of clean, fresh water. Generally, however, if your dog has an infection, abscess or other problem in their bottom or vagina that is causing the fishy smell, it is important to take them to your vets so that they can either prescribe them antibiotics or solve the underlying issue at hand. The uterus of the female dog can also get infected causing a white-yellowish discharge to exude from the vagina. It could potentially be a symptom of urinary tract infection or pyometra (a bladder infection) (infection of the uterus). When your dog smells like something other than what it is, it can point to a urinary tract infection (UTI). After the dog was given medication, the fishy breath disappeared. It refers to impaction, infection, abscess, and tumors in the anal sacs. These small sacs sit on either side of the anus and hold a skunky liquid. Urine soaking in their fur can also cause malodor in a dog suffering from urinary incontinence (leaking). Manage Settings If not, here are the most common reasons your dog could smell fishy and what you should do about it. If your dog is often rubbing or licking its bottom, then it can be due to anal infections. The largest dog breeds are not typically infected. All of these lead to a fishy smell emanating from your dog's rear end. All rights reserved. Make sure your dogs water bowl is full at all times. If a female dog has a UTI and it is not treated, it could lead to a yeast infection. Use like you would a shampoo. Its chlorophyll. There are a few other symptoms that may accompany the fishy smell when an infection is present: As soon as you notice the smell or other symptoms, you should get your dog to the vet. Similarly, a poop thats firm but not of enough size will not enable the sacs to empty properly. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Vinegar can also help in digestion. Dog pee is more pungent, but it has the same basic smell as human urine. To rectify this issue, you can just simply brush your dogs teeth a few times a week. Many dogs also have a problem with ear infections due to overgrown yeast and/or bacteria. Thoroughly brushing your dogs teeth with an enzymatic toothpaste three or more times per week helps keep their teeth clean and breath fresh. Stay up to date with all of the latest PetDT news! This is disgusting to humans. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Some owners will often report their dog smelling like pee and it can be for a UTI, or a range of other reasons. Or it could be the dog has allergies that inflame the opening so it's hard for the liquid to get through.". Your female dog has normal bacterial flora that live in the vagina but a foul odor that smells like fish (or worse) could be a sign of a medical condition. Next time, skip the web. What toothpaste to use is also important. If one of your dogs has intestinal worms, and your coprophagic dog has access to that dogs poop, you know what could happen. Patricia McConnell, an animal behaviorist, had some hypotheses. Particularly the coprophagic ones. Built-up bacteria in the urinary tract causes pain when urinating, blood in the urine, and powerful odors. Or spray the mixture on the stinky coat and let it air dry. Your veterinarian can express your dog's anal glands. If theyve eaten fish or gotten into your cats food, then thats what is likely to blame for their fishy breath. If the fishy breath is the problem, and its not a serious medical issue, a dog mouthwash could help. Note: Check your dogs mouth. All of the conditions in this list are treatable, but early intervention is advised to give the best possible outcome. However, McConnell says that dogs might roll in poop and dead fish because they like the smell. If your female dog is scared, she will tend to start secreting fluids from her anus which may tend to smell unpleasant like fish. Which Type of Dog Fence Is Right For Your Pet? The most common reason dogs smell like fish is anal gland issues. But some pet parents can detect the smell of females in heat. Having your dog on a good-quality diet that is appropriate for his age and size is a good starting point. Now, secretions are released with the poop when your dog takes a dump. If your dog smells like fish, something could be amiss. Anal sac disease is one of the umbrella terms used to describe problems with a dogs anal glands that may cause a fishy smell. If your dog is spayed but still has a vaginal discharge, its likely an infection. If your pup recently took a trip to a fish market, hes probably in the clear. But this is not to say that fish-based diets are not healthy. Vaginitis affects dogs just before puberty or in the adult stage. Urinary tract infection (UTI) A UTI develops due to bacteria in the urine that should not be there. She poured a tablespoon of liquid chlorophyll into her dogs food. Another hypothesis is to appear more attractive to other canines. Oftentimes, a fishy smell coming from your female dogs behind is the result of secretions from her anal glands, which is also known as an anal sac. Some remaining fluid in the sacs dry up and this causes impaction. How to stop dog pee from killing your grassy lawn, How teething can lead to bad breath in puppies. The fishy smell could be due to Anal sac disease It's a problem with a dog's anal glands and is common in small and obese dogs. Our pups offer benefits far beyond companionship. Anal glands or sacs are present on either side of the dog's anus. It helps to brush off some of the plaque, but it's no match for daily brushing.". Before it happens, regularly brush your dogs teeth. Tartar is a yellow or brown material on your dogs teeth. Here are some selected articles which are on a similar topic to the one you have taken the time to read. Accompanying symptoms may help you to work out where the odor is coming from, but if you are not sure then you should still take your dog to a vet for a check-up. Dogs with dental disease will need an assessment from a veterinarian. A lot of pet parents have complained that the smell of dead fish takes forever to disappear. An abscess will swell under the skin of the anus and eventually rupture, breaking through the skin and releasing pus and blood. Find the location nearest you and sign up for updates directly from your local Scenter. Difficulty pooping. Your dog may strain or appear in pain, or may act like they want to poop but then stop. Dogs with dental disease may have fishy-smelling breath, due to high levels of bacteria and food particles in their mouth. They may recommend a variety of treatments and remedies depending on the cause of the bad breath. Yeast also loves growing around the eyes and around the vulva. It is made dog-safe, so its okay if dogs ingest it. Just soak a cotton ball or a clean washcloth with mouthwash. The answers to these and many more questions lie in this article. Antibiotics and surgery will be necessary to resolve these issues. According to PetMD, vinegar helps a dog digest their food better. Aggressive or friendly. You can switch to other flavors that wont lead to your dogs fishy breath. Most of the time, when your female dog has fishy-smelling urine, it is typically caused by a urinary tract infection, also known as a UTI. They use these glands to learn about each other by depositing (and then sniffing) secretions. Kibble was the main diet for 82.3% of poop eaters and 78.3% of non-poop eaters. Dental plaque (bacteria and other microorganisms) builds up on the teeth over the course of 12 hours. Further to this, if your female dog smells like fish and has a lot of skin folds like a Shar Pei or English Bulldog they are more likely to smell because yeast can develop within those folds and consequently give off a bad fish odour. Through regular baths are dental care, your dog will be smelling fresh as a daisy in no time! The PDSA dog charity describe is as follows: A pyometra is an infection inside the womb. Why does my dog smell like fish after being outside? If this is the case, then it will smell fishy, and your dog may need medical assistance. However, it is more common in puppies. A UTI can cause bacteria from the infection to contaminate the urine, resulting in a distinct fishy smell. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. You should get your dog examined by a veterinarian if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in the previous sections. Theyll know if the other dog is a friend or an enemy. If your female dogs UTI isnt adequately treated, they may develop a yeast infection in their vagina, which will result in a fishy odor coming from her genital area. This is to ensure that they remain hydrated. I write about the things we've learned about owning dogs, the adventures we have, and any advice and tips we've picked up along the way. Once you have visited the veterinarian with your furry friend, you should be back on track, and your dog will be back to its normal health in no time! There is a lot to be thankful for in these unique relationships, but weird odors isnt one of them. A fish-based diet may be responsible for why your puppy smells like fish. If you have seen your dog roll in something stinky, then it is likely a bath will fix the situation, but otherwise, you should get your pet checked over. The fishy smell is due to the bacteria in the urine that shouldnt be there. A closed pyometra can be trickier to notice as the pus remains in the uterus, building up to dangerous levels. To prevent tartar, many pet parents give their dogs dental chews. Certain breeds are more prone to bad teeth too, including sighthounds like greyhounds and whippets, and small dogs like pugs, chihuahuas, and terriers. Dogs also release this fishy smell when scared. With watery poop, theres no pressure on the anal sacs. Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet can help to create a bigger, bulkier stool that will press on the glands as it passes through to express them naturally. Tumors near the anal glands can keep them from expressing and make them appear more rigid and prominent than they are. The importance of prompt poop disposal cannot be stressed enough. The dog showed signs of having anal sac disease. While certain infections are inevitable, there are a few preventative measures you can take so that the smell of fish doesnt arise in lieu of an illness. There are many underlying causes of a dog's fishy smell It's important to identify the cause of the odor to make sure your dog does not have an illness. This is normal. Perhaps your dogs got separated for a while. All Rights Reserved. And the last group was to brush every other week. Then stop of bacteria and food particles in their mouth the clear had near-accident!, your dog is often rubbing or licking its bottom, then it can be trickier notice... More rigid and prominent than they are a dogs anal glands can them! 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