Why Does My Dog Smell Like Dirty Socks?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Dogs are more likely to have stinky paws than cats who should be kept indoors. If your pet's paws smell funky, it could be that

dirt or other debris has gotten trapped between their toes or paw pads

. In this case, you may need to simply wipe or wash their paws off.

Why does my dog smell like stinky sock?


Poor diet, toxicity and essential nutrient deficiencies cause the majority of health problems including skin infections, bacterial and yeast overgrowth

. Hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism or adrenal problems can also be caused by the above and be at the core of dogs smelling like a pair of dirty socks.

Why does my dog smell like dirty laundry?

Why Dogs Love Dirty Laundry

The real culprit is

the scent of pheromones covering your dirty laundry

. All mammals, including humans, possess sweat glands known as apocrine glands.

How do I fix my dogs stinky paws?


Regular washing of feet

. Once weekly you could use a mild shampoo and suds up each paw and wash away with copious amounts of water. Be sure to wash in between each of the toes, around each nail, and around all pads. When done, be sure to dry the paws well, including in between the toes.

How do I fix my dogs stinky feet?

Remedy for Smelly Dog Paws


Use a wet cloth or pet safe towelette to clean your dog's paws after walking or playing outside

. Pay attention to your dog's paws during bath time gently washing around their paw pads and in between their toes. Be sure to dry their paws thoroughly with a soft towel afterward.

What does a yeast infection smell like on a dog?

If your dog is itching and has a distinctive

musty smell or if his feet smell like Corn Chips, or ears smell like musty mold

, he may have a yeast infection. Yeast is tremendously itchy.

What does yeast smell like on a dog?

If your dog has a yeast infection, you will probably smell it before you see it. People often describe this infection as smelling

very musty or cheesy, like moldy bread or stale corn chips

.

How do I get rid of yeast smell on my dog?

Since the yeast problem often presents itself on the skin,

natural topical rinses, sprays and shampoos

can help. Becker recommends bathing your dog with a natural anti-fungal shampoo containing tea tree oil or other anti-yeast herbs (avoid oatmeal because it's a carb) at least once a week.

Why does my dog smell like stinky cheese?


Yeast Infection

.

An overgrowth of yeast is a fairly common problem for dogs and causes a pungent, musty smell that will remind you of moldy bread or cheese popcorn, and can result in ear problems, stinky paws, and smelly skin.

Why does my dog smell musky?


If a dog is stressed or frightened, a large amount the the anal gland secretions can be expressed all at once, leaving a very strong fishy or musky odor behind

. Whenever a dog sniffs another dog's rear end, it is this smell they are investigation.

Why is my dog so stinky?

Medical Reasons Dogs May Stink


Secondary yeast or bacterial infections on the skin or inside the ears

remain the most common medical reasons dogs might smell awful. Allergies often begin the process, which leads to scratching and licking that open the door for infections.

What can I soak my dogs paws in?


Epsom salts

Fill your bathtub up about 3-4 inches with warm water. Add a few cups of Epsom salts, stir them in, and have your dog stand in there for 15-20 minutes. This foot soak will encourage healing and drying out the inflamed, moist dermatitis lesions that can occur between the toes.

How do I treat a yeast infection on my dogs paws?

Skin and Paws

Treatments for yeast infections on the skin can include

topical antifungal creams, wipes, sprays, and shampoos

. Topical ingredients that are effective in treating yeast include chlorhexidine, miconazole, and ketoconazole. In difficult-to-treat or severe cases, oral antifungal medications are used.

Do dogs have scent glands in their paws?

The dog also uses the scent of its paws to increase the strength of it's left-behind smell.

Dogs have glands under their paw pads

and bacteria between the toes, which creates an individual scent when wiped on the ground.

How often should you bathe your dog?

Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch

at least once every two to three months

.

Can I soak my dogs paws in vinegar?

How do I Treat My Dog's Irritated Paws? ACV will soothe the irritation on paws that are infected by bacteria due to excessive licking and scratching.

Soak the paws of your pooch in two-part water to one part Apple Cider Vinegar bath for 5 minutes

. Just pat dry the paws and do not rinse them.

How do I know if my dog has yeast infection?

  1. Changes in skin color and texture. In the early stages of a yeast infection, the skin begins to turn pink or red. …
  2. Greasy skin. The skin can become greasy or excessively oily.
  3. Scaly skin. …
  4. Head shaking and tilting. …
  5. Scratching and rubbing. …
  6. Licking. …
  7. Swelling and warmth. …
  8. Odor.

Why does it smell when my dog licks himself?

A dog with

anal gland problems or full anal glands

may scoot their bottom along the floor, scratch, bite or lick at their bottom or tail, have a fishy smell at the back end, seem in pain or depressed, object to anyone going near their back end. Big indications of anal gland issues are scooting and the fishy smell.

How did my dog get a yeast infection?


If your dog swims or is bathed frequently, trapped water or debris in the ear canal can lead to yeast infections

. Allergens like pollens, mold, dust, feathers, cigarette smoke, cleaning products, and certain foods can also lead to ear infections in a dog.

How do I know if my dog has a yeast infection on his paws?

  1. Itchiness.
  2. Inflamed, swollen or red nail beds.
  3. Musty odor coming from the paws.
  4. Thickened skin.
  5. Greasy skin.
  6. Flaky, crusty skin on the paws.
  7. Discharge from the skin or nail beds.
  8. Swelling of the afflicted area.

What dog food is best for dogs with yeast infections?

  1. Hill's Science Dry Dog Food – Best Overall. Check Price on Chewy. …
  2. Brothers Complete Dog Food — Best Value. Check Price on Chewy. …
  3. Earthborn Holistic Dry Dog Food – Premium Choice. Check Price on Chewy. …
  4. Zignature Formula Dog Food – Best for Puppies. …
  5. Tuffy'S Pet Food Dog Food.
Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.