Why Do Dogs Smell?

Dogs and cats can carry some pretty fierce scents. It could be from rolling around outside, eating something, or even due to some kind of infection. In some cases, you could bathe your dog once a week, and it still wouldn’t solve the issue, since it is embedded in their skin.

Rolling around in smelly things is classic canine behavior, and it calls back to the dog’s ancient and proud ancestry – wolves. The common house dog, Canis Familiaris, has evolved from wolves, same as the house cat, Felis Catus, evolved from the wild Near Eastern desert cat. 

Dogs, like wolves, roam in packs. It is hypothesized that rolling around in scents of all kinds was a way for wolves to bring back news to their pack. Nowadays, dogs still exhibit this behavior, and it can cause them to smell pretty darn bad. 

Dogs have glands all over their skin – some more than others – and these glands secrete their body’s natural oil. This also occurs in humans, and it is the source of our body odor. This is another reason why your pet may stink. It is simply BO. If we humans wouldn’t bathe on a regular basis, we too would be pretty smelly. It is in our nature.

The third – and also most problematic – reason is the fact that certain types of infections can cause the body’s natural oil to break down, thus releasing a very musky and sometimes downright pungent aroma. If you bathe your dog, but he still smells, it could be a sign of something more than mere scent. It could be a serious issue, and you should have a vet take a look, or rather, take a whiff.

There are other reasons, I am sure, but these are the main three in my experience.

What Is Pet Spray?

If you have ascertained that no threat or infection is involved, and your pet is simply a stinky one by nature, there are ways to combat this. You can clean the house more often, you can bathe your dog more often, and you can also use a pet spray. 

There are two types of pet sprays. One has to do with tick and flea control, while the other is more on the ‘aromatherapy’ side of things. The pet spray I will be discussing is the latter. It is an effective way to deodorize dogs and cats and is a staple of proper grooming.  It is designed to be as gentle as can be, seeing how your pet’s sensitive skin and fur are different from human skin and hair.

Many times, odors and dirt are trapped, and it is necessary to break them down and remove them. It could a physical piece of grime that needs treatment, or a lingering odor. Either way, a well-made pet spray will be able to tackle these and make combing your pet’s coat that much easier.

Benefits Of Pet Spray Explained

I mentioned aromatherapy, and while it is true that this is considered to be the sort of treatment meant for humans, pets can also benefit a lot from natural substances. Essential oils and extracts of various plants are used to combat unpleasant scents, and they also have the added attribute of nourishing your furry friend’s coat.

A natural pet spray will add a therapeutic quality to the reduction of odor, and contribute to your pet’s behavior and well-being. It is a way to keep pets clean and safe in that time between baths, or on-the-go. Also, since the substances used in natural pet sprays are environmentally-friendly, you don’t have to fear using it in the home.

Natural pet sprays are generally non-toxic and are safe to use around children and other sensitive individuals (like nursing/expecting women, and the elderly). 

Benefits Of Lemongrass And Citronella For Dogs

Lemongrass.

Lemongrass and citronella are well-known for their positive effects on humans, and dogs can also benefit from these plants. In large quantities, these could be poisonous, and pet sprays who make use of those two plants do so in a safe and secure manner.

Like with humans, these two plants can be used to keep pests at bay, but again, that type of spray is not a designated flea and tick solution. It could, however, act as a preventive treatment, and it can provide relief for pets who have already been bitten by those insects. 

Benefits Of Lavender For Dogs

Lavender is one of the most calming herbs in existence, and this is true to humans and dogs alike. If you are looking for a way to calm your pet in a safe way, a lavender pet spray could be right up your alley! Lavender is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic, which is a huge upgrade for your preppy pooch or feisty feline. It is a way to keep your pet refreshed and clean in-between baths, and technically it can be used every day, if necessary. 

DIY Natural Pet Spray Recipe With Lemongrass, Citronella And Lavender

Lavender.

There are commercially available natural pet sprays, and they could certainly get the job done. On the other hand, if you are looking for a fun DIY project, you can also make your very own pet spray, using the plants we mentioned, along with some water and an ordinary spray bottle.

For Calming Spray

In a spray bottle, mix about 250ml of water, along with 5-7 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake well, turn the bottle to ‘mist mode’, and apply lightly to your pet’s coat while covering their face. It’s that easy.

For Insect-Repelling Spray

In a spray bottle, mix about 250ml of water, along with 2 drops of lemongrass oil and 2 drops of citronella oil. As before, shake well, make sure the nozzle is in ‘mist mode’, and spray lightly while keeping your pet’s face covered. 

Different blends of oils could also work,  it’s not limited to just these three, of course. Make sure that if you blend oils, you use 1 drop of each. Large quantities can be harmful, in any configuration. Remember that essential oils are highly potent, and you should always err on the side of caution.

Before And After Dog Results

Nothing Like a Clean Pup.

I never had a use for the insect-repelling kind of sprays, since my doggy never gets any kinds of skin conditions. She has very short fur, and I also have a regular treatment which I am used to. However, I did have a go at a lavender spray, and the results have been great. 

My doggy may be free of skin conditions – thankfully – but she does love to roll around in, well, anything that takes her fancy. I found that spraying her with lavender pet spray is an optimal solution since I am not such a fan of baths. I bathe her only several times a year, and the spray is a great intermediate solution for bad odors.

This is especially true in the rainy season when things are all wet, dirty, and smelly all around us. When she walks back into the house with the scents of the neighborhood surrounding her like a cartoonish mist, I take out the spray bottle and give her a few short blasts. She is a small breed, so it’s good enough.

Before And After Cat Results

I don’t own a cat, but my brother does. He has an old cat named Frankie, and the before and after with him was more dramatic since he has sensitive skin. Sure, cats are clean creatures by nature, but even cats need to get a bit cleaner at times. Like most cats, Frankie is not a fan of bathwater, and the natural pet spray has been able to provide a great solution for times when he needs to be spruced up a bit.

Conclusion

We love our pets, we want to keep them happy, but we also want to keep them clean and healthy, since they live with us. They climb on our furniture, snuggle with us, and play with us. Using harmful chemicals and harsh detergents is never a good answer, especially in a home where there are others who may be sensitive to those substances.

This is where a natural pet spray can really shine, and where you can feel that you are providing the best for your pet, without putting anyone at risk, and without spending a ton of money, either. Whether you decide to go with a commercial natural pet spray or a homemade one, it is a wonderful solution for everyone involved!