Bathing your dog too often, however, can disturb the natural flora on his or her skin and coat, so try to limit it to it to every other week. Here’s What Happened Next. Why are they so stinky sometimes? Disclaimer: My website and blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. As long as the odors you’re smelling are not related to a medical condition, this isn’t something to worry about. Why does my female dogs urine smell like fish? Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. Where are dogs able to have a pee when on a plane? So if you’re smelling an odor coming from your female dog’s rear end, it could also be a UTI. Hormonal changes during heat put your dog at risk of a womb infection. If your dog ingests excrement (coprophagia) or is experiencing an episode of vomiting, regurgitation or suffering from rhinitis or sinusitis, it is common to notice halitosis.In this case, the reason why your dog’s breath would smell fishy would be due to the bad smell which is … I regularly write about my experiences with dogs. This has been going on for about 6 mont … read more By far, the most common infection if your dog’s urine smells fishy is signs of a UTI — in fact, UTI’s will affect more than 14% of all dogs throughout their lifetime. One of the main reasons a dog’s breath smells like fish is actually even grosser than the fish possibility. Your dog will often leave a clear or brown mucus-like small discharge from the anus onto the carpet, couch, or whatever they happen to be sitting on. You see, all dogs have two anal glands around the anus. So, if you are wondering why your dog smells of fish, it is probably because something is wrong with their anal sac. It is a serious medical condition that requires urgent attention. When full, the glands may even leak at inconvenient times. Fishy Fecal Odor. Investigating further what could be causing your dog to smell like fish could allow you to learn a lot about your dog’s habits, diet, and alert you to any health conditions. If your female dog develops a bad odor and is not spayed, take her to the vet immediately. Specific odors that emanate from your pet can be a part of the normal flora that live in and on your dog, but they can also be signals for actual medical issues. Female dogs can develop an odd smell in the vaginal area for a number of reasons. Usually for no reason, and without any warning whatsoever, your dog's anal glands will spontaneously empty. If this happens, the fluid becomes dry and causes an impaction, which means that your female dog will be unable to fully express these glands properly. If your dog has a uterine infection, spaying is often the treatment of choice. What Are Anal Glands? If your dog does not secrete anal gland fluid when defecating, they may begin to get an odor which has a fish-smell to it. Dogs can get this offensive odor for other reasons too, particularly female dogs. I write about the things I've learned about owning a dog, the adventures we have, and any advice and tips I've picked up along the way. Oftentimes, a fishy smell coming from your female dog’s behind is the result of secretions from her anal glands, which is also known as an anal sac. Your veterinarian can help you investigate if the smells you’re noticing are normal or pathological. If you notice that your dog has suddenly started to smell of fish and is also licking or biting their butt and scooting, then the dog’s anal sacs likely need to be emptied. I have a 4 1/2 month old Dane and mastiff female cross and I noticed a couple of days ago her anus has a fishy smell A urine culture should also be performed where they look to see if any bacteria are present in the urine. While dogs do normally have bad breath, the specific fishiness of your dog’s odor is disconcerting. Usually, a hard stool will help your dog naturally express her glands without any outside stimulation. How to Stop a Dog from Chewing on Wood Trim? Another notorious source of fishy smell in dogs is problematic anal glands. How to stop dog pee from killing your grassy lawn. Even though your dog may eat a slightly different diet than you, their urine should smell like your urine. Brushing your dog’s teeth with an enzymatic toothpaste 2-3 times a week will prevent plaque formation and help curtail bad breath. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In very extreme cases, the fishy smell might occur because of something called pyometra. A healthy female dog should not give off a fishy smell and, if you notice a strong odour, this will almost always be a sign of a health problem. However, it’s not unusual to sense other smells coming from a female, that you may not smell with a male. Using dental treats or those that scrape off plaque and tartar, like bully sticks, will also clean your dog’s teeth naturally. For example, retrievers and cocker spaniels have oilier coats than Boston terriers. Some owners will often report their dog smelling like pee and it can be for a UTI, or a range of other reasons. This occurs in female dogs that have not been spayed. When a dog does his business, these special glands, or sacs, are meant to secrete fluid, but sometimes they can get blocked or infected. Your dog’s anal glands are normally expressed and cleared of excess fluid when they defecate. There will be a sudden stink reminiscent of of fish left too long in the sun. Severe body odors that also need veterinary attention include septic ear infections, combinations of ear and skin infections with parasites, and odors from autoimmune skin disease secretions. D.A.C.L.A.M. It is worth noting, however, that some types of dogs are more likely to smell than others. Dogs are suppossed to empty the glands when they defectae-but sometimes they get a bit impacted. Your female dog has normal bacterial flora that live in the vagina but a foul odor that smells like fish (or worse) could be a sign of a medical condition. As a pyometra develops, the womb fills with pus. These are the gland that dogs are smelling when they happily greet one another! Dead fish is the smell my son describes. Further to this, if your female dog smells like fish and has a lot of skin folds – like a Shar Pei or English Bulldog – they are more likely to smell because yeast can develop within those folds and consequently give off a bad fish odour. A dog just like a human can burp. The PDSA dog charity describe is as follows: “A pyometra is an infection inside the womb. UTIs come from bacteria in the urine that doesn’t belong there causing the urine to smell like fish. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Currently, she is the Senior Clinical Veterinarian at USC in the Department of Animal Resources. Tips From a Real Veterinarian Why Does My Female Dog Smell Like Fish? Unfortunately, the stench could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Please Note: This article is not intended to replace professional veterinarian advice but is my own opinions and research as a dog owner. A lot of owners, especially owners of female dogs, can relate to the smell of fish at some point in their lives. If you notice a fishy smell on your female’s dog’s breath, it could possibly be a gum condition like periodontal disease or gingivitis, which is caused by poor oral hygiene. Bad breath associated with periodontal disease is from the production of volatile sulfur compounds from the bacteria. Disney’s Live-Action Lady and the Tramp is Here! Read on to find out why your dog’s breath smells … I am the proud dad of Claude the French Bulldog. The smell reminds me of wet insulation. Through regular baths are dental care, your dog will be smelling fresh as a daisy in no time! This website is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets. (Breath, Urine, Butt) However, some dog’s anal glands can be expressed and suddenly leak out their dark, oily, smelly substance when they become frightened, stressed, or if they suddenly relax in certain positions. If your veterinarian suspects a UTI, your dog will be put on a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection which will then clear up the smell. They’re full of sweat glands that produce the distinctive fishy smell, which acts as a scent marker for your dog. In this article, we’ll go in-depth to explore all the odors that can come from your pet that may or may not be normal, and possibly answer the question, “why does my dog smell like fish?”. If your dog burps after taking fish oil, you will notice a fishy smell coming from their breath. Other bad breath sources are most often from byproducts of bacterial metabolism from the bacteria living on the gums, top of the tongue, and plaque on the teeth. You’ll hear them referred to as anal sacs or anal glands. Just Watch These Border Collie Puppies Meet Sheep for the First Time, 9 Surprisingly Dangerous Foods for Dogs (Starting with Popcorn), Why Foxtails are the Scariest Thing about Summer for Dogs, Feeding Your Large Breed Dog: Our Top Food Picks and Tips, Other: tumors, decaying teeth, tooth root abscess or infection. It’s our responsibility as owners to not just ensure that our furniture and... Why Can’t You Pet a Service Dog? If the condition is not being treated, the bad, fishy smell can be spread all around the area where your dog sits or even lies down. Depending on a dog’s breed, sex, age, and conformation (how their body is formed), a dog can have more odor than another. Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish? The main suspect is still a UTI. If your dog's butt smells like fish, chances are her anal glands are impacted with sebum. We received an email from a Beagle owner who was concerned about a fishy smell that was coming from her female dog's back area. Smelling like fish when nervous isn’t the only reason for this stinky situation. All dogs—no matter their size or breed—have two small sacs located on each side of their anus, sitting at around 4 and 8 o’clock. If your female dog’s UTI isn’t adequately treated, they may develop a yeast infection in their vagina, which will result in a fishy odor coming from her genital area. And if your female dog’s urine smells fishy? Shes a ruby Cavalier King Charles. It’s incomprehensible. Why does my female dog smell like fish sometimes? More specifically, the fishy breath smell could be the result of bacterial metabolism that lives on your female dog’s gums, the top of their tongue and plaque on their teeth. Dogs have two anal glands bordering their anus—one at … The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Female dogs can sometimes develop a weird, fishy smell in their hind area. The more oil that is produced, the more likely there will be an accompanying smell. Dr. Ari Aycock-Williams is a board-certified, licensed, and USDA-accredited veterinarian. Unusual odors can sneak up on us when we least expect it and then we suddenly realize that the odor is coming from our dog! This can cause the female dog’s urine to smell like fish. In addition, female dogs are significantly more likely to get UTI’s, but UTI’s can also appear in male dogs. Please always consult with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog. As soon as you notice this smell, call your veterinarian to schedule an analysis of the urine which looks for crystals, red blood cells, protein, white blood cells, and any other indicators of a urinary issue. Fish oils can come in odorless capsules or they do smell like fish. If your dog has skin folds like an English bulldog or shar pei, then the skin can collect yeast and skin cells in those folds that cause an odor. Usually a fishy smell could be the dog's anal glands that need to be released. The diagnosis principle is the same as in the last paragraph. Bacterial vaginosis. This is when the smell will be the strongest. All of these conditions require medical attention and can be determined by your veterinarian. We covered how many conditions can be a cause for your dog to smell like fish or have, what may be perceived as, a bad odor. link to Why Can’t You Pet a Service Dog? The DoggySaurus website works as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. In females in the process when in season and mating, the glands can emit a specific odor that attracts males. Obvious causes of a bad odor can be from urine or fecal soiling, skunk sprays, odor from infection, physical injury, or something your pet may have rolled or stepped in. If you’re noticing a strong odor that wasn’t present before, this is probably a sign of urinary tract infection or UTI. This could be the result of your dog having frequent soft stools or diarrhea. Your baby should really have the glands checked by a vet-when they get too full they can leak causing the fishy smell. Dogs are known for rolling into the stinkiest things on the planet, things like cow manure, rotten carcasses and spoiled fish. Fishy smelling urine, where you’ve noticed the smell as abnormal indicates something is wrong, and you need to take her to the vet to investigate. Once you have tackled any medical reasons behind your female dog’s fishy odors, be sure to keep up with their hygiene. If you’ve ever wondered why your dog intently smells other dog’s bottoms or their poo, these secretions are the reason why. Good luck! Take your dog to the vet, and take her now. Anal gland secretions have a distinct smell that many people describe as fishy. Both fecal secretions and glands near the anus can smell. Odors that you notice from the skin are from the bacteria breaking down the oils and sweat from the glands in the skin. Just like males females suffer from anal gland secretions that give off that nasty fishy smell. Bad Breath. One of the reasons why your female dog might smell fishy is because of a yeast, bacterial or viral infection. It was pungent yesterday so my husband gave her a shower and scrubbed her. It’s quite common for female dogs to smell like fish, whether that’s their backside, breath, or pee, as I will explain today. If you have a female dog smelling this way, and she’s not been scared or had any reason to be stressed, then it could be one of the following. Dr. Ari Aycock-Williams D.V.M. Once the heat is over, the majority return to normal, but unfortunately, some dogs develop complications, which lead to an infection (pyometra). If your female dog isn’t spayed, smelly urine could be a sign they’re coming into heat. First, they’ll do a history and physical examination to see if there’s a source of the odor. Factors like gender, age, breed and conformation (the way your dog’s body is formed) can all have an impact on how likely it is for them to develop a fish smell. You can give your dog a bath with a gentle shampoo or take them to a groomer to see if they have any recommendations. Well, in the case of blocked anal glands you can either express them manually yourself or have a vet do it for you. If you’ve ruled out anal gland issues and you’re seeing a light-colored discharge coming from the vagina, this could be a sign of infection of the vagina called vaginitis, caused by yeast and/or bacteria. Anal gland issues. It’s enough to make you gag! Today theres a hint of the smell there again, not bad but still in the air. Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is too much “bad” bacteria in the vagina, … And why in the world do they smell like fish on occasion? For instance, female dogs will give off a smell when they are in heat and they tend to suffer from urinary tract infections more than males. Id expect off a dog that was in heat but likr I said she was spayed about 3 months ago I was walking with my son the other day when we encountered someone with their service dog. Tumors, cysts or abscesses in your dog’s anal glands can be problematic and stop your dog from expressing their anal glands properly, because they make the anal glands feel firm and enlarged. Dr. Aycock-Williams went on to complete her residency and certification in Laboratory Animal Medicine at the University of Southern California. A pyometra can lead to blood poisoning, kidney failure, peritonitis and even death.”. Aside from the annoying property damage, chewing on wood trim can sometimes be dangerous behavior for dogs and puppies. Just as with male dogs, the anal glands of female dogs contain a fishy smelling liquid that under certain circumstances can leak out. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/real-reason-dog-smells-like-fish Dog Urine Smells Fishy. Many dog owners suddenly find themselves asking why their dog smells like fish. They tell your dog everything they need to know about the other dog. The DoggySaurus website is run by Marc Aaron. Caring for Your DogBy Dr. Ari Aycock-Williams D.V.M. Dogs … D.A.C.L.A.M. It’s important to treat these infections with antibiotics by your vet, or it can lead to painful abscesses or even ruptures. Pyometras are serious conditions that warrant emergency surgery and if you suspect this, please take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. 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