A Golden Retriever sense of smell is exceptional. They are also very attractive dogs. They are very sweet and can get along very well with kids, adults and even cats and other pets in the house. But, of all dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are quite famous for their unique smell. Let’s find out the reasons behind this smell and discuss the different ways on how to prevent it.
Why do Golden Retrievers Smell?
The first thing that you will notice about Golden Retrievers is their thick, beautiful fur. What’s interesting is that they have double coat and their top coat is waterproof. This waterproof top coat can be a source of Golden Retriever body odor. It is very easy for odor-causing bacteria to thrive in thick fur especially if they don’t have regular grooming.
Root Causes of Golden Retriever Different Smells
Having thick fur might not always be the reason for a Golden Retriever’s body odor. There might be other underlying causes that needs to be checked.
My Golden Retriever smells like cheese
If your Golden Retrievers smells like cheese but you don’t know exactly where it is coming from, then you might want to check your Golden’s ears. This dog breed is more prone to ear infection due to yeast overgrowth. Aside from the moldy, cheese odor, their ears will also appear to be red, itchy and has obvious debris. On a more serious note, ear infection can also be a sign of hypothyroidism.
Yeast infection can also be seen in Golden Retrievers’ paws. “Frito feet” can be very itchy and needs disinfection as treatment.
My Golden Retriever smells like fish
If you often see your Golden Retriever licking or scratching his anal area and you notice a fishy smell, then your fur buddy might have anal glands secretion. Anal glands have sweat glands that normally secrete a fishy-smelling chemical that serves as a territory marker when they poop. This anal glands secretion gives out information to other dogs. When Golden Retrievers gets scared they normally have Anal glands secretion in small amounts. However, in some cases, the anal glands become impacted due to soft stool or they have abnormal glands resulting in inflammation which can only be manually vacated by a vet. In serious cases, the anal glands become infected which sometimes signal anal glands tumor.
Why does my Golden Retriever smell so bad?
Many owners blame themselves most of the time for having smelly Golden Retrievers. Despite grooming, some bad smell still persists. However, there might be more than the smell.
- Pyoderma
Golden Retrievers have double coats that makes them more prone to Pyoderma or bacterial skin infections. This bacterial skin infection can be caused by allergies, wounds, underlying illnesses such as cancer, thyroid, liver diseases and autoimmune disorders. Other than a very foul smell, itchiness, scales, pustules and even hair loss can be seen in Goldens with pyoderma.
- Dental Problem
One of the leading causes of bad smell is bad breath due to dental problems in Golden Retrievers. Bad breath or halitosis is mostly caused by poor oral hygiene but a chronic bad breath may be caused by overgrowth of gums wherein small bits of food can get trapped, thus producing a bad odor. Gastrointestinal issues may also cause halitosis.
- Canine Atopic Dermatitis
Canine Atopic Dermatitis is very common in Golden Retrievers. It is characterized by mild to severe itching, red, dry or oily skin, hair loss around eyes and muzzles and skin lesions. Food intolerance, flea bites and skin contact with certain allergens usually result in canine atopic dermatitis.
- Flatulence
Flatulence can also be a source of bad smell in Goldens. A poor diet and intestinal parasites can cause excessive gas. On the other hand, if gas passing is coupled with other symptoms like constipation, weight loss, diarrhea, etc.then it is time for a visit to the vet.
How to prevent Golden Retrievers from stinking
We all want our Golden Retrievers to smell fresh and clean. And now that we already know why do Golden Retrievers stink, it is time to learn how to prevent them from smelling bad.
- Regular Grooming
Grooming always starts with a nice and thorough bathing and drying which is the key to eliminating odor-causing bacteria. Brushing loose all dead hair can stimulate skin oils and prevent yeast and bacteria from growing. Dental care is also part of grooming. Brushing prevents plaque, tartar build-up and bad breath. Dog chews can also help.
- Diet
Food has a big role in a Golden’s overall health. If you think that the culprit for having such a stinky smell is your fur buddy’s diet, try eliminating food one by one for you to pinpoint the exact ingredient or food that your Golden is allergic to.
- Regular Cleaning of Beddings
Your Golden Retriever’s bedding can easily be overlooked that it may already be home to bacteria, parasites and fleas. Regular washing with hot water and vinegar or baking soda can stop the odor. Just remember not to use fabric softener to avoid allergic skin reaction.
- Keep ears and folds of the skin dry and clean.
The groin area and armpits are areas where yeast and bacteria can multiply. Keeping them dry and clean will prevent yeast overgrowth. Likewise, always check on your Golden’s ears regularly and make sure to dry them after every bath or swimming.
Conclusion:
Your Golden Retriever might not always smell good but what matters is knowing how to identify a normally bad smell from an alarming one. Golden Retrievers with health issues will usually have persistent bad smell. It is always alright to be keen on noticing different smells from our beloved pets. After all, they are our best friends.
