Wet dog smell

[Sophie45]

I just took Sophie for a walk, and it was lightly drizzling outside, and now that we are back in, she has a mild wet dog smell. It's not strong or offensive at all, I can only smell it when I am petting her, and when she dries it is all gone. She doesn't smell normally at all, and I know (or think!) all dogs get that wet dog smell a bit.

I know dogs that smell normally on a regular basis usually are fed a low quality food, which obviously isn't the case with Sophie, and it's only when she is wet.

I just wonder WHY dogs when wet have that distinct odor. Any ideas?

[Shmee]

Wow,
Sounds like you're having your druthers there with your pooch. As far as the wet-dog smell goes? Part of the territory really. I've had many dogs in my life and they've had different degrees of odor. I kinda equate it to humans as different people have different smells. Your level of tolerance as to what you can handle smell-wise is what's going to make the difference.
If my nose curls up when my Jack's go by I wont hesitate to initiate bathtime. I refuse to use one of those $13 bottles of doggy shampoo from the pet store. I've tried different brands and the best i've discovered (beleive it or not) is VO5's Extra Body, yes HUMAN variety. I don't know how sensitive your dog is, but mine do quite well with the all of .69cents (on sale at Shoprite) /bottle that lasts me quite awhile. When you do bathe them try to get inbetween the toes as thats also a big source of where smells come from. (Personally, I was always a big fan of the doggie paw smell). Of course, the cute shampoo smell lasts all of about a day before they return to their dog-like malodorous selves. Also, have you considered the ears as source of what's causing the smell? There's a blue fluid i've used in the past, (the name escapes me at the moment) it's just a process of a good squirt in the ear canal and gauze swab once it's set there for a couple of seconds.
In addition, i've read you can also try some simple herbs in your dogs diet that helps to neutralize a caustic canine smell. I've read parsley is quite good for dogs in many ways. Which segway's me into your next post below. Parsley should help with the rear-end atomic blasts too.

Goodluck with all...
-Shmee

[Sophie45]

Hmmm...the funny thing is, that when I bathe her, I can smell the lovely smell of shampoo, but STILL can smell that 'wet dog' smell, but when she's dry-she has no odor at all. I think it's just a normal wet dog smell, like I said it's not very strong or anything.

Luckily, my dog has no problems with gas, in fact, I don't know if I've ever known her to fart before....? Can't remember ever noticing! Guess I'm lucky in that department : )