If your dog experiences excessive tearing (epiphora) and eye drainage, the moisture that accumulates on their skin and hair gives off a foul smell that is a sign of bacteria.
Does Your Dog Have a Stinky Face? This Might be the Cause
I frequently dog sit for Silly Boy, a terrier mix owned by my mother. I enjoy receiving lots of hugs and kisses from Silly Boy. But occasionally, a stench emanates from his face, causing me to avoid those kisses. We lovingly call it his “stinky face. My mother uses a warm, damp cloth to gently wipe the area around the eyes where the smell always comes from. Thor, a pit bull owned by my boyfriend, never has a stinky face. Don’t get me wrong, Thor can get stinky. He just doesn’t get a stench around the eyes. So this got me wondering: What causes this malodor, and why do some dogs get it and others don’t? Why does Silly Boy have a stinky face and Thor doesn’t?
All of these inquiries will be addressed in this post, which will also look at the three main reasons behind a smelly face.
Most of the time, it’s normal for a dog to start smelling. A dog becomes dirty from rolling around in the dirt and other debris. A bath solves a stinky dog problem. However, there are certain parts of a dog that tend to produce an odor near the face, such as:
1. Stinky eyes
One reason why a dog’s face smells is excessive tearing, and gooey eye boogers or crusty eye buildup can make matters worse.
Bacteria can build up in the fur by the eyes and produce an unpleasant odor if it isn’t cleaned. Some canine breeds are more prone to crying eyes than others (see list below). ).
Some tearing may be serious. However, it is always best to call your veterinarian if you notice eye tearing along with other symptoms.
Symptoms of concern include:
It is important to observe symptoms and the color of the discharge to determine whether your pup has occasional stinky eyes or a condition that warrants a vet visit.
Simply clean your eyes as much as necessary each day with a warm, damp cloth to prevent stinky eyes.
2. Stinky mouth
Stinky dog breath can make you turn up your nose. Dogs can develop bad breath that causes their faces to smell.
Like people, dogs also develop plaque, tartar, and buildup on their teeth, which results in foul breath.
Similar to keeping claws trimmed, brushing your dog’s teeth is a difficult but necessary task for their overall health.
It’s critical to brush frequently to avoid future dental issues, including tooth loss. To get started, ask your veterinarian for a toothbrush and specially formulated toothpaste.
3. Stinky ears
Ears are another source of stench in a pup. In most cases, if you smell something unpleasant coming from your ears, you probably have an ear infection. Floppy-eared dogs are more prone to develop ear infections.
Take your dog to the veterinarian right away if you think they have an ear infection because ear infections can cause a lot of discomfort and pain for your dog.
Regularly cleaning the ear with a cotton swab is a part of preventative care. To assist you with the task, ask your veterinarian for a cleaning solution.
Always keep an eye on your dog to make sure nothing more serious is to blame for the odor.
Cleaning Eye discharge in Dogs:
The rubbing or itching of the dog’s eye causes it to turn red. As shown in the video, clean dog eye discharge with “pretty eyes” or “human eye wash with boric acid.” To prevent a dog eyes smell issue, clean it several times per day.
Why do my dogs eyes smell like cheese?
Your dog may have a yeast infection if it suddenly starts to smell like cheese. The stinky cheese smell is brought on by a buildup of yeast and sebum on the skin. If your dog’s canine seborrhea is not treated, you might notice that the cheese smell is getting worse, especially during the summer.
FAQ
Why does my dog tears smell?
If your dog experiences excessive tearing (epiphora) and eye drainage, the moisture that accumulates on their skin and hair gives off a foul smell that is a sign of bacteria.
How do I get rid of my dogs smelly eyes?
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But there are areas on a dog that tend to cause a smell around the face, these include:
- Eyes.
- Mouth.
- Ears.
Why does my dogs tears smell sour?
Tear duct drainage can smell rotten or sour. Dog eye boogers and tear ducts that drain onto the fur can both result from epiphora, or excessive tearing of the eyes. It is caused by ulcers, allergies, and related inflammation.
Why do my puppys tears smell?
When your puppy’s ears start to smell, it usually means that they are either dirty and need to be cleaned, or that they have become a breeding ground for bacteria or yeast. When a dog’s ears are floppy or very hairy, this may be normal.