All of these lead to a fishy smell emanating from your dogs rear end. Without treatment, it could lead to an abscess. Children, in particular, are at high risk because they play in the dirt. Difficulty pooping. Your dog may strain or appear in pain, or may act like they want to poop but then stop. Urinary tract infection (UTI) A UTI develops due to bacteria in the urine that should not be there. But it was probably due to acid reflux. There are also other instances when dogs express their anal sacs. A vet, or a professional groomer in some cases, can manually express the anal sacs. Its important you go to the vet because abscesses can rupture through a dogs skin. Youll smell fish from their breath, especially when they belch. Or a hot compress to the affected area. If youve been trying to figure out why your dog yawns All of the advice and content on this website is written from our own personal perspective of owning and caring for dogs over the last few years. dog looking up at camera; why does my dog smell like fish? If this happens, the fluid becomes dry and causes an impaction, which means that your female dog will be unable to fully express these glands properly. Why does my female dogs breath smell fishy. If your dog smells of fish, the most common cause is usually problems with their anal sacs, but it could also be a sign of dental issues, digestive conditions or infections. Dogs with dental disease will need an assessment from a veterinarian. Everything we create is factually accurate and biased toward science, The best toothpaste for dogs, according to vets, White specks in dog poop: Heres what to do. Fun fact: Did you know that sniffing butts is a stress reliever for dogs? Probiotics can be useful for some dogs too. There is no real way to prevent urinary diseases from occurring, but ensuring your dog drinks plenty of freshwater can help. Notice the smell when you and your pup are up close and personal? As well as a malodorous mouth, you may notice other signs that could indicate dental disease. Our dogs are our best friends, and we end up spending a lot of time with them. Make sure your dogs water bowl is full at all times. Get the dog moms and dads in your life something unique this year. You can express anal glands at home or have a dog care specialist handle it, but that may not be enough to ward off anal sac disease. They were walking home when Oreo was almost run over by a car. Rolling in fishy-smelling urine can also be the reason why your dog smells like fish. + First Time Litter Sizes, 5 Reasons Why Joint Health Is Important in Dogs, Smelling like fish when nervous or scared. Kerry has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Swimming in a lake or ocean is a fun and refreshing experience, but it can also cause your dog to smell like fish. If your dog is suffering from this infection, their pee may also smell fishy, and they will need urgent medical attention. That is, by smelling each others butts. One of the most common reasons a female dog will smell of fish is if there are problems with the anal glands. Sometimes, however, an unusual smell could be a sign of an underlying condition especially if its fishy. Now that have hopefully identified why your female smells of fish, youre probably wondering: whats next? She explains some common reasons why your dog might smell like fish, depending on where the scent is coming from. A change in the balance of vaginal yeast can cause vaginitis, which is an infection in the vagina. Problems with anal sacs almost always make your dog smell like fish. It is made dog-safe, so its okay if dogs ingest it. Use like you would a shampoo. Because you (and your pup!) Do not treat your pup at home unless advised by your vet. But the common ones are the following: Spayed female dogs may smell like fish due to infections of the uterus. But he was convinced it was the smell of his dog in heat. Your dog smells like fish after being outside because they roll in dead fish or poop. Similarly, yeast infections smell like fish. Well, in the case of blocked anal glands you can either express them manually yourself or have a vet do it for you. They may recommend a variety of treatments and remedies depending on the cause of the bad breath. The scent of secretions helps a dog get information about other dogs. In other cases, a dog may have increased hormones and bad hygiene and may produce more oil, which will, in turn, give them a fishy scent. Manage Settings Mix one part vinegar with 3 parts water and use it to rinse your dog. Consult with a vet for the best course of action to solve the stinky smell. Were reader-supported. Betterpet - Advice from veterinarians and actual pet experts. It refers to impaction, infection, abscess, and tumors in the anal sacs. Anal gland issues/Anal sac disease There are two glands just inside the anus that contain material for scent marking. Seasonal or food allergies can cause inflammation of the skin which leads to excessive secretion of oil from certain glands in the skin, producing a musty smell. Place bowls of clean water strategically around the house. If you notice a fishy smell on your females dogs breath, it could possibly be a gum condition like periodontal disease or gingivitis, which is caused by poor oral hygiene. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. Perhaps your dogs got separated for a while. Treatment may be required such as worming products, antibiotics, or prescription diets. It is classified as close or open. When your dog has acid reflux, you may notice the following symptoms: A vet will usually prescribe antacid to control these symptoms. Particularly if left untreated. Then apply it directly to the gums and teeth. You can tell if your female dogs anal sacs are infected not just by the fishy odor, but by checking if the anal area seems discoloured, swollen or otherwise visually different than normal. Improved dental carelike brushing your dog's teethwon't solve the problem on its own, so contact your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If you're like me, your dog is perfect. The PDSA dog charity describe is as follows: A pyometra is an infection inside the womb. Yeast infection can appear in the ears, on the skin, or feet. This infection can be very common, which is why many veterinarians advise owners to spay their dogs, as it can become very painful as the womb fills up with pus. Your veterinarian can express your dog's anal glands. Elderly dogs are more prone to incontinence issues than younger ones. However, dogs roll in dead animals because they like the smell. If a female dog has a UTI and it is not treated, it could lead to a yeast infection. 4. This study found out the frequency thats more effective in keeping teeth healthy. All of these lead to a fishy smell emanating from your dog's rear end. Impaction occurs when secretions are not completely expressed. You might notice other changes, such as difficulty eating or dropping food as your dog eats, because an abscess is very painful . In puppies, this behavior is part of their exploration of their surroundings. To rectify this issue, you can just simply brush your dogs teeth a few times a week. If youve ever wondered why your dog intently smells other dogs bottoms or their poo, these secretions are the reason why. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Other times, they might have tumors. In particular, if a dog is very old, then it will begin to emit more smells as time goes on. Surgery is necessary in severe cases. And puppies Well, they may be more curious. One reason why your dog smells like fish could be anal sac disease. Does your dog have death breath? What they did. Sometimes the glands get so full it's difficult to push the liquid out. Pyometra is an infection of the uterus in female dogs that havent been spayed. A fish-based diet may be responsible for why your puppy smells like fish. This leads to a healthy bowel movement. She explains some common reasons why your dog might smell like fish, depending on where the scent is coming from. In her book, emergency critical care specialist Justine Lee shares a few helpful tips. If you find that your female dogs pee smells like fish, here are some of the most common reasons why: A UTI develops due to bacteria in the urine that should not be there. Dogs use these secretions to scent-mark. Sometimes, an ordinary shampoo doesnt do the work. You can buy one on Amazon which is said to fight fish smelling breath. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Mix these ingredients in a plastic container. And this puts them at risk of infection in the womb. In fact, theres this one dog parent who shared his experience on a forum. Note: Your dog might not like the taste of vinegar in their water at first. So provide your dog with plenty of clean, fresh water. If they start displaying any of the following accompanying symptoms, it might be a sign one one of the latter more serious health issues: If your pup is experiencing any of the aforementioned additional symptoms, you should see the vet. Still, your veterinarian may prescribe pain medication as these infections can be rather painful and uncomfortable for your dog. The smell could be coming from elsewhere, or your female dog may have particularly fishy urine. If your dog's breath develops a fishy smell very suddenly it may well be caused by an infection in the mouth or a dental abscess. And theres no rotten fish in the house. Otherwise, if your dog smells like fish she may have an abnormal medical condition that needs to be addressed. Hence, this is why dogs smell each others butts all of the time! An abscess will soon follow if an infection sets in and goes untreated. Including the following: If not from your dogs butt, their fishy smell could be from the mouth. Use vinegar, specifically apple cider vinegar, to clean a dogs ears. That stands for Veterinary Oral Health Council. Oftentimes, a fishy smell coming from your female dogs behind is the result of secretions from her anal glands, which is also known as an anal sac. Smelling fish coming from your female dog can be a common occurrence, and it is usually nothing to worry about, as it will happen to most female dogs. Dogs have anal glands on either side of their anus. They tell your dog everything they need to know about the other dog. A dog can be susceptible to different kinds of yeast infections. Because there are instances when treatment is not enough. But if things arent resolving or your dog seems poorly then you should get him seen by a veterinarian. First, theres an abnormality in your dogs anal sacs. But, its another story when your dog smells fishy. Broadly speaking, problems with your dogs anal sacs that cause a secreting fishy smell are considered under the umbrella term anal sac disease, but here we will break down what exactly that might mean. This is normal. These dog training tips will help you get started. Why does my female dog smell weird? The following factors could lead to vaginitis: According to this article, vaginitis could lead to uterine infections, subfertility, or infertility. Its quite common for female dogs to smell like fish, whether thats their backside, breath, or pee, as I will explain today. The most common reason dogs smell like fish is anal gland issues. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You have to separate them from male dogs if you dont intend them to breed. Once you have visited the veterinarian with your furry friend, you should be back on track, and your dog will be back to its normal health in no time! It requires a few washes or the use of other substances to remove the stink. Female dog smells like fish when scared Moving swiftly on, if your female dog is scared, or if there is another issue with your dog's anal sacs, they will be more likely to secrete a fishy odour from their anal sacs. I have a friend whose dog, Oreo, had a near-accident experience. This is to prepare the dog for pregnancy. A foul odor coming from the mouth can be a sign of bacterial overgrowth. 1. Stay up to date with all of the latest PetDT news! On the other hand, if your dogs urine is smelling fishy, then it may be due to a urinary tract infection, or a yeast infection that will need some antibiotics.