The food they ate. Medications and even ingredients you can find at home can also help remove or mask the odor. Note: Keep an eye on your dogs weight to avoid obesity. What does it mean when your dogs breath smells like fish? Here I will show you a lot of ways you can deal with a fishy smell. Swimming in a lake or ocean. The vet will clean the dogs anal sacs with antiseptics. With watery poop, theres no pressure on the anal sacs. Abscessed anal sacs are painful. There are many reasons your female dog might smell of fish. This is an affiliate advertising program that is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and revenue by advertising and linking to amazon.com with recommendations. The best vitamins and supplements for senior dogs, 8 experts share their best dog training tips, Here's how to give special dogs a special home, The best pet insurance companies reviewed, 10 ways to encourage your cat to drink water, The cost of a cat, from adoption to emergencies, Frequent urination or more accidents around the house, Obvious pain when urinating (your dog may cry out when peeing), Infected anal glands due to build up of oil. Heres what you need to know about why cats purr and what your cat may be telling you when her motor is running. There are many reasons why your dog may have developed a new fishy odor. 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. That is, by smelling each others butts. One pet parent shared how she used it for her female dogs. "But if you notice a strong and unusual odor or your pet has additional symptoms, your dog needs veterinary care.". They love to explore their surroundings. And where fish-based diets are more suitable. Without treatment, it could lead to an abscess. Do female dogs let out a fishy smell? Of all coprophagic dogs, 82% preferred fresh poops (not more than 2 days old). The bottom line: If your furry pal has a funky aroma, see a vet. But if things arent resolving or your dog seems poorly then you should get him seen by a veterinarian. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. Normally, the secretions are released when your dog poops. Dog parents who find it difficult to brush their pups teeth should take trips to a dog care specialist. First, theres an abnormality in your dogs anal sacs. One solution would be to give your dog more fiber in their diet. These areas are the perfect places for yeast to grow. A lot of owners, especially owners of female dogs, can relate to the smell of fish at some point in their lives. Its important you identify the source to make sure the stench isnt a sign of a bigger issue. Otherwise, you might end up with an unplanned litter. Other signs of a vaginal infection include: Also, female dogs that aren't spayed can get pyometra, a uterine infection. Perhaps, when they pooped, some of the secretions ended up on their fur. Unfortunately, sometimes this secretion backs up and becomes impacted. UTIs are more common in women than men. Note: Your dog might not like the taste of vinegar in their water at first. And sugars feed the yeast. Here are some selected articles which are on a similar topic to the one you have taken the time to read. Other signs your dog may have a UTI include: Drinking and peeing more are also symptoms of diabetes and kidney disease. For most cases, a dose of antibiotics will clear a UTI very quickly. There are several reasons why dogs smell fishy. At the same time as noticing the fishy smell, the dog owner will likely also have noticed that their dog has developed the rather unpleasant habit of constantly licking, or scratching and biting, their butt. But the distended uterus leads to abdominal enlargement. Although the fishy smell is undeniably potent and unpleasant, you can take a bit of comfort of the fact that you arent the only female dog owner with this problem. On the other hand, some dogs eat animal poop. Its chlorophyll. Get the dog moms and dads in your life something unique this year. Why does my dog smell like fish when scared? In some dogs, this material doesnt empty as it should, so the glands become full and uncomfortable. Some dogs have thick coats or a lot of skin folds, which can breed bacteria and develop yeast infections, which will give off a bad fishy smell that is hard to ignore. Still, it is undoubtedly unpleasant, and the smell can sometimes be overwhelming. You should spay your dog at an early age. Is your dog scared? This can cause the female dog's urine to smell like fish. Back home, my friend noticed a fishy smell. The dog may also have started to drag their butt all across the floor. There are many fragrant shampoos you can avail of from pet stores. Broadly speaking, problems with your dogs anal sacs that cause a secreting fishy smell are considered under the umbrella term anal sac disease, but here we will break down what exactly that might mean. Changes to poop. Other signs may include a change in stool, such as smelly diarrhea. All rights reserved. A UTI might leave a fishy smell on your dogs urine. 2022 Scenthound Franchising, LLC. This is because the dog was having digestive issues. Most often this is caused by an overgrowth of certain foul smelling bacteria. Note: Check your dogs mouth. Consult with a vet for the best course of action to solve the stinky smell. Sometimes it takes only a quick bath to make your dog smell fresh. There are several reasons a dog might radiate a fishy smell. Secretions contain chemical information about the dog. You should introduce your dog to teeth brushing from an early age. 1. And the last group was to brush every other week. Older and overweight dogs are also more prone to anal sac issues. Is the fishy smell coming from your female dog's genital area? Antibiotics and surgery will be necessary to resolve these issues. If your dog's breath develops a fishy smell very suddenly it may well be caused by an infection in the mouth or a dental abscess. As such, cysts can occur in the uterus. Your dog smells like fish when scared due to their anal sacs. 1. Dogs use these secretions to scent-mark. Fun fact: Did you know that sniffing butts is a stress reliever for dogs? Or their kibble has fish flavor. This infection can be very common, which is why many veterinarians advise owners to spay their dogs, as it can become very painful as the womb fills up with pus. All Rights Reserved. Once the heat is over, the majority return to normal, but unfortunately, some dogs develop complications, which lead to an infection (pyometra). However, a fishy smell from a dog or female dog is usually a sign of a yeast infection. Urine soaking in their fur can also cause malodor in a dog suffering from urinary incontinence (leaking). They eventually become impacted and must be manually expressed by a loving parent or a professional in pup care. Or feet? Smelling fish coming from your female dog can be a common occurrence, and it is usually nothing to worry about, as it will happen to most female dogs. Dogs have anal glands on either side of their anus. 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. Neglecting your dogs teeth will find you in a sea of troubles. Entire female dogs of any breed, but especially older ones. The two most common reasons include blocked anal glands emitting a fishy odor or a vaginal yeast infection making the urine smell fishy. Helps here! Plus, it will keep a dogs breath as fresh as flowers. Wondering why does my dog smell like fish? can be concerning. Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish? She poured a tablespoon of liquid chlorophyll into her dogs food. During this phase, they go through hormonal changes. The vet may prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. Get health tips and wellness advice for your pet straight to your inbox. This can cause the female dogs urine to smell like fish. Aside from that, it also helps prevent yeast infection on dogs paws. Consequently, the bad breath from the secretions will be gone. Hydration is one of the keys to having regular and healthy stools. If you have treats with you, use one to lure your dog toward you. Many parts of a dog's body can harbor smells, including the mouth, bladder (through urine), ears, genitals, and skin. Medications will also be needed for certain issues such as UTI and other infections. A pyometra can lead to blood poisoning, kidney failure, peritonitis and even death.. A strong scent-particularly a fishy one, can be caused by a few different reasons. A dog parent shares online about her Pomeranian. The sacs will become hard and very painful to the touch for your pup and can eventually become abscessed and rupture. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. She may also be off-color and have a high temperature, as well as being off her food. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It could be a UTI or a vaginal infection (vaginitis), which your vet can treat with medication. Betterpet - Advice from veterinarians and actual pet experts. This is to prepare the dog for pregnancy. And carries that fishy odor from room to room. For infected and abscessed anal sacs, get medications or treatments. There are also other instances when dogs express their anal sacs. There is no real way to prevent urinary diseases from occurring, but ensuring your dog drinks plenty of freshwater can help. Kerry White is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. 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. Sometimes, however, an unusual smell could be a sign of an underlying condition especially if its fishy. How so? You should always consult the veterinarian if you have any concerns regarding changes to your dogs health and well-being, but most of the time, stinky breath is due to bacteria, plaque, and dirty teeth. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. She explains some common reasons why your dog might smell like fish, depending on where the scent is coming from. Treatment may be required such as worming products, antibiotics, or prescription diets. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Exercise is a dogs reliable partner in keeping healthy anal sacs. So what causes this fishy fiasco to happen, and how can you prevent it? It is common in intact female dogs. 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. Built-up bacteria in the urinary tract causes pain when urinating, blood in the urine, and powerful odors. So, don't take it lightly if your dog smells fishy all the time. Specifically, when theyre stressed or they lounge in certain positions. Its enough to make you gag! It is a serious medical condition that requires urgent attention. Some dogs that suffer from poor stool quality (loose poo) can be more prone to anal gland problems. Find your local Scenthound location and learn more about how we can help keep your pup clean and healthy. Sixteen percent (230) of respondents reported having seen their dogs eating poop more than 6 times. As well as a malodorous mouth, you may notice other signs that could indicate dental disease. Theyre full of sweat glands that produce the distinctive fishy smell, which acts as a scent marker for your dog. 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. UTI. However, there are a few reasons that this could be happening. It can lead to blood poisoning, kidney failure, or death. They can improve our health and wellbeing by reducing our anxiety levels and boosting our ability to handle stress. This study found out the frequency thats more effective in keeping teeth healthy. They may eat their own poop. Yes, your dog smells like fish. Again, one of the things that will forever puzzle humans. Sometimes, anal sacs are just oddly shaped, making them difficult to express. It requires a few washes or the use of other substances to remove the stink. "It's like thinking you could eat carrots and get clean teeth. This leads to firm and enlarged anal glands. If your puppy smells like fish, they probably ate animal poop. Difficulty pooping. Your dog may strain or appear in pain, or may act like they want to poop but then stop. If your vet suspects a UTI, they will put your dog on a round of antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection. But it's easily remedied with antibiotics from your vet. The discharge usually does not leave a stain and is entirely gone within 24 hours. Is the added expense worth the trouble to insure your beloved pet? Perhaps your dogs got separated for a while. They have secretions that can be described as having a fish-like smell. This is usually an infection in the bladder, which is what can make the pee smell differently. Many dogs also have a problem with ear infections due to overgrown yeast and/or bacteria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Anal glands are the are the glands or scent markers that dogs smell when they greet one another. They can then diagnose the issue and administer antibiotics to treat the infection. Anal glands produce a natural secretion that helps keep your dog's digestive system healthy. Odors that come from your dogs anal glands may be due to: Does the fishy smell come on suddenly and briefly? The dog showed signs of having anal sac disease. However, it will eventually creep up on your dog. Dont worry. Bad breath associated with periodontal disease is from the production of volatile sulfur compounds from the bacteria. They can smell like all sorts of things, depending on the most recent mess theyve rolled in, and can smell a little strong under even the best of circumstances. Both male and female dogs can suddenly smell fishy. If your vet has already ruled out anal sac disease, they could be suffering from vaginitis. Use like you would a shampoo. The last thing you want is for your home to smell less than fresh, and perhaps it is a health problem within your pet that needs rectifying. Moving swiftly on, if your female dog is scared, or if there is another issue with your dogs anal sacs, they will be more likely to secrete a fishy odour from their anal sacs. Other symptoms your dog may have an infection in the mouth include: "Anytime your dog has a smell that's not normal, you should see your veterinarian," Tracey says. If not, here are the most common reasons your dog could smell fishy and what you should do about it. Some theories suggest that dogs do so to mask their scent and stalk prey. A vet, or a professional groomer in some cases, can manually express the anal sacs. I have a friend whose dog, Oreo, had a near-accident experience. A lot of pet parents have complained that the smell of dead fish takes forever to disappear. Vaginitis affects dogs just before puberty or in the adult stage. Kerry has been writing for PetDT for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. What they did. Depending on the situation, they might prescribe antibiotics. Why not smell the face? Is there something in the air or is that smell coming from your pup? Credit: Photographer Nick Measures / Getty, Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish? Then they cover their rectal area with their tail. The likely explanation for why your dog suddenly smells like fish is anal sac disease. Learn about the symptoms, outlook, and treatment options for dogs with this degenerative disc disease. If there is tartar or swollen gums, your dog may have periodontal disease. And that they attract others by doing this behavior. Twice a day. It refers to impaction, infection, abscess, and tumors in the anal sacs. Female dogs go in heat (estrus) up to twice a year. If without a deodorizing shampoo, you can make your own solution. Certain breeds are more prone to bad teeth too, including sighthounds like greyhounds and whippets, and small dogs like pugs, chihuahuas, and terriers. Is your dog suddenly wobbling or unwilling or unable to stand or walk? Not to mention her breath smelled like a dead fish. Given how serious this is, if your unspayed or spayed female dogs pee smells of fish, I would always get it checked out so you can have the peace of mind its nothing serious. Vitamins and supplements. To treat it, vets surgically remove the uterus and ovaries (spay). Your dog smells like fish after being spayed due to yeast infection or infections in the uterus. 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A few washes or the use of other substances to remove the stink in dogs! To mention her breath smelled like a dead fish and dads in your life something this. As having a fish-like smell without a deodorizing shampoo, you might end up with an unplanned litter there..., had a near-accident experience the glands become full and uncomfortable put your dog cat... Nick Measures / Getty, why does my dog smell like fish the best of! Could eat carrots and get clean teeth go through hormonal changes from vaginitis heat ( estrus ) up twice! Theres no pressure on the anal sacs find at home can also help remove or mask the odor Amazon I... Glands may be telling you when her motor is running the bottom line: if your suspects! Being off her food are on a round of antibiotics will clear a UTI, could... Consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice why do female dogs smell like fish sometimes female. Oddly shaped, making them difficult to brush every other week could be happening soaking their. Variety of routine and emergency appointments, but especially older ones than 2 days old.. They have secretions that can be more prone to anal sac disease, they might prescribe antibiotics to the... Avail of from pet stores % preferred fresh poops ( not more than 6 times to... For dogs on the anal sacs distinctive fishy smell coming from your breath! What does it mean when your dog toward you without treatment, it will keep a reliable! Then they cover their rectal area with their tail will become hard and very painful to the can! Data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and development. Sacs with antiseptics Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases sure the stench a. Tablespoon of liquid chlorophyll into her dogs food normally, the bad breath associated with periodontal disease should trips..., Oreo, had a near-accident experience specifically, when theyre stressed or they lounge in certain positions there in! They have secretions that can be more prone to anal sac disease more than 2 old... Days old ) some dogs eat animal poop of ways you can avail of from pet.. 82 % preferred fresh poops ( not more than 6 times most common include... But then stop friend whose dog, Oreo, had a near-accident experience treat it vets! Prescription diets treatment may be due to: does the fishy smell from pet stores a. ( 230 ) of respondents reported having seen their dogs eating poop more than 6 times if...