Why Does My Dog Get a Bad Odor After Being Outdoors?

by Tom Ryan
If he doesn't dry off completely, his fur will stink.

If he doesn't dry off completely, his fur will stink.

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Dogs love spending time in the great outdoors, but they don't always smell particularly fresh when they come back inside. Whatever they encounter outside can cling to their skin and fur, dragging unpleasant aromas into your home when playtime is over. Depending on your dog's personal favorite activities outdoors, you may need to keep a close eye on him to prevent bad smells from forming.

Collecting Outdoor Smells

While simply going outdoors doesn't necessarily make your dog smell bad -- unless it's raining -- the things that he encounters out there do. For example, your dog's coat can act like a sponge for water, soaking up rain, river water and more. When he isn't thoroughly dried, that moisture allows bacteria to build up in his coat, creating wet dog smell.

Dogs are also generally more willing to get up close and personal with foul-smelling things than humans are. For example, some dogs enjoy rolling around in odorous finds, like feces and animal carcasses. Monitor your pet's outdoor playtime to make sure that he isn't getting into anything undesirable, and he may come in smelling much more pleasant.

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