COLUMNISTS

Ask the shelter: Why do some dogs have a 'doggie smell?'

Jennifer Vanderau

Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter

Chloe is a 6-year-old terrier mix who was found running along the road near the shelter. She seems to have had some training - she knows sit, shake, down and speak. Because of her size and age, we’re looking for a home for her with children older than 8 years old. Chloe is a real sweet girl who needs a second chance.

Q: Why do some dogs seem to have that “doggie smell” while others don’t?

A: Get ready to reach for the deodorant container on this one. Turns out animals and humans are pretty similar in the odor department in that bacteria and yeast buildup can make us both smell. It’s just that as humans, we shower regularly (we hope), so that the surface oils on our skin that are affected by the bacteria and yeast get cleaned. Most of the time giving your pup a good bath will help solve the problem, but if the odor is coming from another area, a trip to the vet might be in order. If an odor is coming from the mouth, it could be the pup needs a teeth cleaning. Sometimes the ears can smell yeasty and need treatment for an infection. And then there’s every pet owner’s favorite - the anal glands. When they’re full or infected, anal glands can also produce a pretty noxious odor. A dog’s skin seems to be the overall culprit for that “doggie smell,” and sometimes even allergies can bring it out. If you’ve given your guy a good bath and he still doesn’t smell right, see if you can determine from where the odor is originating and make the necessary plans to treat the issue. Some breeds are actually more prone to odor because of heavier gland secretion - cocker spaniels, basset hounds and labs tend to have this issue. We definitely talk about the “hound smell” at the shelter, so I get what you’re saying.

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Q: I have a dog who chews everything he can get his teeth on. I give him toys so he stays away from my rugs and shoes, but I was wondering, are all dog toys okay to give him?

Wilson is a 1-year-old orange-and-white boy who is super sweet and apparently loves the camera. Look at that face! There may be a little Kardashian in him, what do you think? If you need a fun companion, Wilson just might be the guy for you.

A: Actually, you’re making a really good point with this question. For dog owners who have a particularly chewy boy or girl, it’s important to be careful about what you give them. Some dog toys have plastic eyes or other parts that if a dog would swallow, could be harmful. A lot of it also depends on what your dog actually does with toys. We’ve had dogs at the shelter who simply chew toys to pieces and scatter the parts all around without actually swallowing anything, while other dogs actually gobble them down like they’re T-bone steaks covered in A-1 sauce. Darn, now I’m hungry. Anyway, in addition to soft toys, there are also toys on the market, like Kong toys, that are advertised as virtually indestructible for dogs. Notice the word “virtually.” We’ve had dogs who are able to gnaw their way through a Kong toy every now and then. Kong toys are mostly also hollow, and a lot of pet owners have found success by smearing peanut butter in the middle and giving the toy to their pup to try to lick the peanut butter out. This can keep a dog occupied for a surprisingly long time. In fact, a little bird told me that if you freeze the peanut-butter filled Kong, your pup could really get preoccupied. It’s also good to supervise your pup with a new toy in the beginning, just to be sure all is okay. So, think about your boy and his chewing habits and maybe talk to your vet a bit and you’ll figure out what works best for you and your dog.

Ask the Shelter is aimed at pet education. Jennifer Vanderau is the director of communications for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, and can be reached at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org or by calling 717-263-5791.