All was well this morning when I took Claude for a good walk in the nearby forest, but then a German Shepherd became overly excited and attacked him. After the owner and I separated the two dogs and brought order to the situation, I detected the most repulsive smell of rotting fish.
A short while later, we were driving back to our house in the car. I think that five-minute car ride was the worst I’ve ever taken because the smell of fish literally made me gag.
Even though I’m joking, I was curious as to why my dog smells like fish after being startled. Why did Claude smell so awful when he was anxious?
Obviously, the reason you’re here is to learn the same thing about why your dog stinks under pressure. I’ve completed all the research into this revolting behavior and gathered it into one useful report as a service to you.
Other reasons your dog might smell like fish
This stinky situation is caused by more than just the fact that nervous people smell like fish. There are additional causes for this offensive odor in dogs, particularly in female dogs.
If a female dog smells this way but hasn’t been scared or otherwise experienced stress, one of the following possibilities could be the cause:
If stress has been ruled out, read more about what the fishy odor might indicate in this guide. Note that other pet owners have reported that their dog smells metallic or ironic. Often, this will be the same thing as the fishy smell; it just has a different meaning.
What to Do About Your Dog’s Fishy Smell
If you notice a fishy smell, call your veterinarian. Your dog may only require having his anal glands manually expressed to get rid of the odor.
Some dogs, particularly small dog breeds, need their anal glands expressed on a regular basis. This service is provided by both veterinarians and groomers, and if you don’t mind the smell, you can even learn how to do it yourself. However, it should only be done when the anal glands are not emptying naturally because manually expressing them too frequently can cause inflammation and lead to scar tissue.
Compacted anal sacs require your veterinarian’s assistance. These are carefully expressed, and if the compaction is particularly dry, your veterinarian may need to use a softening agent or saline rinse. Your dog’s veterinarian might suggest a higher fiber diet after the compacted material is taken out to help him naturally express his anal sacs.
There are also several anal gland wipes and supplements on the market, which are designed to address the underlying problems of anal gland issues in pets.
Antiseptic cleaning and antibiotic treatment are typically used to treat infected or abscessed anal sacs. If your veterinarian suspects an abscess, she might advise applying hot compresses to the area, and it might take a few flushings for the infection to go away.
Your veterinarian may occasionally remove the anal sac or sacs. Surgery is typically required to treat anal sac disease and anal sac tumors that do not respond to treatment. Even though there could be issues, like incontinence, most procedures are successful and don’t have a negative impact on your dog’s quality of life.
Although it is not always possible to prevent anal sac disease, there are a few things you can do.
Luckily, anal sac problems are relatively easy to treat. The fishy smell should disappear as soon as the underlying problem is resolved. If your dog needs regular anal gland expression, that fishy odor should serve as a reminder to take them to the vet or to the groomer. https://www. akc. org/wp-admin/admin-ajax. php Get Your Free AKC eBook.
Why do girl dogs smell fishy?
Additionally, when scared, dogs “express” their anal sacs, which is completely normal but slightly unpleasant. Many people describe the smell of anal gland secretions as being fishy. Your dog may have an issue with her anal glands if she smells like fish.
FAQ
Do dogs give off a scent when they are scared?
Additionally, when scared, dogs “express” their anal sacs, which is completely normal but slightly unpleasant. Many people describe the smell of anal gland secretions as being fishy.
Do dogs have a smell when stressed?
Now scientists at Queen’s University Belfast in the U. K. have proven that a dog’s nose knows. According to research, acute stress modifies the compounds found in human breath and sweat.
Can dogs release a smell?
Dogs don’t sweat like we do. That is, unlike humans, they don’t have liquid perspiration seeping from their pores and dripping off their skin. However, they do sweat from their paws and do release a light amount of perspiration from their hair follicles, which has a scent that is unique to dogs.