In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Why does my Chihuahua smell bad? We will discuss the main reasons why a Chihuahua smells bad, and give you the best tips on how to take care of your dog’s hygiene.
Why does my Chihuahua smell bad?
Most cases of bad smell in dogs is caused by gum problems, caused by inadequate oral hygiene, teeth completely covered with tartar, which causes inflammation of the gums.
It is practically impossible in some dogs to let it lick you since it leaves the bad smell impregnated on your skin. This is solved with dental prophylaxis, which depending on it, is done annually or every six months, which varies in each dog.
There are also stomach problems that cause bad breath in dogs, but this factor is not shared. You just have to avoid giving him homemade food to prevent this type of problem.
Go to the vet with your pet. He will evaluate the pet and determine if it is an oral or stomach problem.
Common reasons why your Chihuahua smells bad
We who own one or more dogs get used to the smell of our furry dogs. There are dogs that, for these reasons that I will explain below, smell more than others, and you have to be careful with this issue because it is really uncomfortable when someone enters the door of your house and comments. Yuck, it smells like a dog! And the owner is stunned and surprised to ask himself: really?
Yes, so let’s get to work, we are going to solve this unpleasant problem for our visits. Reasons why a dog smells bad:
- A poor diet: an unbalanced diet lacking in nutrients causes the dog to smell more. It is one of the most common reasons and a good indicator that your dog needs to change his diet now.
Feeding leftovers, poor quality processed food, or excessive pecking can cause the health of the dog’s skin to become unbalanced with these disastrous consequences. The keys to achieving the best diet are fundamental.
- The wrong shampoo: There are still many owners who use human shampoo (I have even seen owners who washed their dogs with dish soap) to bathe their dog. The pH of the skin of dogs is very different from ours, so it is essential to acquire a specific shampoo for dogs, and specifically, appropriate to the age of the same (the skin of the puppy is much more sensitive than that of an adult dog ).
Therefore, use an exclusive shampoo for dogs to bathe your furry and avoid irritating its skin, with future consequences, among which the bad smell stands out.
- Too frequent baths: the more you bathe your dog, the more you will unbalance the pH of his skin, attacking the essential oils that his body naturally secretes. Bathing your dog once a month would be enough. Use the wet wipes for dogs, to eliminate the characteristic smell of your pet, and brush it frequently to remove traces of hair and superficial dirt.
- Poor hygiene of the ears: Poor hygiene of the ears and/or otitis can cause a very strong and unpleasant smell. Some dogs hardly produce dirt, especially breeds with stiff ears, but dogs, such as the pug, need a daily and thorough cleaning of their ears. Otherwise, the strong smell will be noticeable.
- Poor oral hygiene: bad breath in dogs is very unpleasant. Weekly brushing of the teeth (consult your veterinarian to show you how) and offering daily products to prevent tartar, can eliminate and/or reduce bad breath.
- Dermatitis or skin problems: Allergies, dermatitis or irritations on the dog’s skin can also cause a characteristic odor. Go to your vet to treat this problem.
- Anal gland problems: the identity document of each of our dogs is in their anal glands, for this reason, dogs sniff their butts, to know something more about their companion, but these glands atrophy and you must go to the veterinarian to be able to release them.
If they are atrophied, in addition to pain, it produces a very bad smell, so if you observe your dog dragging his ass on the ground, the anal glands have a problem (and those around him another).
These are the most common reasons why a dog can smell bad. To find which one or which are responsible for making your dog smell stronger than normal, put a solution to it, and enjoy having a clean and perfumed dog (with its natural smell that is delicious when it is good).
And if you still want to permanently eliminate the bad smell, you can always resort to products that purify the air, eliminating any trace of smell (be it from dogs, tobacco, etc.)
Hygiene tips for Chihuahuas
Do you have a Chihuahua in your house and you want it to look good and cared for like me?
Well, let me give you some very useful tips:
- Brush the coat of your Chihuahua as often as possible:
As the Chihuahua breed has two types, it is important that you know which breed you have, if it is one with straight or long hair because the care of your Chihuahua will depend on that, what they do have in common is that they lose their coat in the spring and autumn.
But if you don’t want to be with the brush every day, you don’t have to, just follow these steps:
- If you have a straight-haired Chihuahua it is important that you brush it with a rubber grooming glove or a natural soft bristle brush once a week.
- Now, if you find a long-haired Chihuahua in your home, they have to be brushed more frequently, I recommend that you do it twice a week or daily. For them, you can use a bristle brush. It is very important especially for this type of hair.
You should also for the hygienic care of your Chihuahua, apply by using a fine-toothed flea comb to remove hairs that are loose or dead. The stainless steel combs will help you to detangle our hair. Each of these materials can be found in a specialized pet store.
- Here’s how to bathe your Chihuahua:
One thing that is important for you to know is that if you tend to brush them very frequently, it is not necessary for you to bathe them every week. Experts recommend that you can bathe your dog once a month unless they get dirty in the garden if you do this.
I also advise you to try to bathe them with warm water and then dry them with a towel, because as they are small they can lose their body heat. Do not dry them using a hairdryer, as they are very sensitive.
- Clean your chihuahua’s eyes:
This process is very delicate for Chihuahuas, their eyes being larger, you have to be more careful not to damage their retina. To do this, first of all, use or use a soft handkerchief, it can be made of cotton so that you can gently clean around the eyes to remove secretions or tear stains that sometimes form. And although Chihuahuas tend to be very clean, this step is essential for their little eyes.
- Keep your Chihuahua’s ears clean:
Another important part is their ears. In general, the ears of your Chihuahua tend to get dirty easily, for this it is relevant that you clean them with a little cotton and cleaning solution for Chihuahuas.
Do not introduce too much cotton in these areas. Try to keep your Chihuahua’s ears in good condition when they smell bad or if there is ear wax. If you see that they are dry, you can add a small amount of coconut or baby oil.
- Trimm your Chihuahua’s nails:
Nails tend to grow out quickly, so keep them short often. It is not just a matter of hygiene, but long can destroy the whole living room, and that is very, very bad. Besides, Chihuahuas like to scratch or caress your face and if it has long nails it can hurt you.
- Brush your Chihuahua’s teeth to clean its mouth:
Chihuahuas have dental problems, so it is better to brush their teeth several times a week. If you don’t want them to misbehave as adults, try to get them used to brush them when they are puppies.
Use a Chihuahuas-specific toothbrush and since they usually chew on all the toys – one way to keep their teeth healthy is to brush them a couple of days a week.
- Regularly check your Chihuahua’s body:
You must always check your Chihuahua’s body if it has any abnormality, inflammation, bump, ticks, or fleas. Hygienic care for your Chihuahua is relevant because you will never have a smelly dog on your hands if you comply fully with it.
The bottom line
The Chihuahua is an easy-care dog. The long-haired Chihuahua needs 2 brushings per week to remove dead hair and knots, while the short-haired one requires an occasional brushing.
Chihuahua shedding and hair loss is moderate. A bath every 2 to 3 months is recommended. Chihuahua’s teeth tend to scale up. As a preventive measure, brush them with dog toothpaste and proceed with descaling when necessary. The eyes should be cleaned regularly, with a specific product.
Contrary to popular belief, the Chihuahua is not a purse dog that just barks, bites, and does nothing except bask on its owner’s thighs.
Although he loves to lounge on his master’s thighs, he will be much happier if he is also encouraged to move and get the best of him. If given a chance, he will accomplish great things! Don’t underestimate the benefits of exercise and mental work in dogs, regardless of breed!
The Chihuahua is not for everyone and not everyone is for this small breed. When thinking about adopting this dog, make sure that his personality and lifestyle suit ours. They have strengths and weaknesses like all races. Adopting a dog is a lifelong commitment.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Why does my Chihuahua smell bad?
How do I stop my dog’s ears from smelling?
To stop your dog’s ears from smelling you have to clean and keep them dry. At general levels, weekly cleaning is usually sufficient. Not forgetting that we must dry their ears inside, just as if we cleaned them, every time we bathe them.
Can I use alcohol to clean my dog’s ears?
Never use alcohol to clean your dog’s ears. Neither hydrogen peroxide nor straight water. It is better to use a cleaner purchased at a pet store or a veterinary clinic.
How often should a dog be bathed?
A dog should be bathed once every two to four weeks, depending on its size, age, and dog’s character. A puppy may need more frequent washing.
References
Vcahospitals.com
Vetbook.org
Chipets.com
Pets.webmd.com
