If you’ve ever smelt Bella after a romp in the rain or some puddles you might have wondered why wet dogs smell really bad. Don’t worry, it’s not just your dog!
We break it down below and answer some of your most asked furry questions – like whether there’s something like a ‘best smelling dog.’
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So … why do wet dogs smell so bad?
Your dogs’ skin naturally produces sebum, which is an oily substance that keeps their coat waterproof and healthy. This oil itself has a mild scent, but it also provides a perfect environment for microorganisms – mainly bacteria and yeasts- to live on the skin and fur.
When your dog is dry, you don’t really notice them. But once the fur gets wet, water molecules release volatile compounds produced by these microbes into the air. Those are what your nose picks up as “wet dogs smell.”
Why their fur is stinkier when wet
When your dog is damp, it traps moisture near their skin and creates a warm, humid environment. This is ideal for bacteria to thrive. As the water evaporates, it carries those odour molecules into the air, making them far more noticeable. That’s why your dog might smell fine before the bath but awful right after a soak.
Wet dog FAQ
“Best smelling” is a bit subjective as all dogs have a natural scent, but some breeds tend to smell fresher than others thanks to their coat type, skin condition, and grooming needs. These breeds generally produce less oil or have hair instead of fur (or are hairless dogs!), which helps them stay odour-free longer.
Breeds with hair instead of fur include poodles, Bichon-Frise, Maltese, Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzu.
As mentioned above, that ‘wet dogs smell’ is caused by sulphur compounds. It’s usually because bits of food, grease, or bacteria are trapped somewhere in your dishwasher. When your dishwasher heats up, it releases that musty, sulphur-like odour.
Not exactly. Dogs don’t catch colds just from getting wet, but being wet and cold can make them more vulnerable to infections.
Here’s how it works: when a dog gets soaked and chilled, their body uses extra energy to stay warm, which can temporarily weaken their immune system. That makes it easier for viruses or bacteria, like the ones that cause kennel cough or respiratory infections, to take hold. However, the wetness itself isn’t the cause; it’s the exposure to cold, stress, or existing germs that leads to them getting sick.
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