To get rid of wet dog smell, bathe thoroughly with dog shampoo to remove all debris and dry your dog as quickly as possible and as soon as it gets wet. You can also use baking soda or vinegar to remove smells around the home and on carpets. Make sure you’re grooming your dog often, especially if it has a longer coat, to prevent smells.
What Causes the Wet Dog Smell?
The wet dog smell is caused by yeast and bacteria that live in dog fur. These microorganisms constantly release volatile compounds. Under normal dry conditions, these compounds cause a dog’s natural musky scent, but when mixed with water, certain chemicals become more odorous. As the water evaporates from the dog’s fur, these more pungent compounds are released into the air. The increased humidity also causes the odor molecules to become more concentrated, causing the dog to carry the scent wherever it goes.
Note that these microorganisms are a natural part of a dog’s microbiome. Some dogs are also more prone to the wet dog smell based on their build. Shar-Peis, for instance, have large skin flaps that retain moisture, making the scent more likely without frequent baths and proper drying.
How to Get Rid of Wet Dog Smell After a Bath?
Drying your dog quickly and thoroughly can help you eliminate wet dog smell after a bath. You can use a dog blow dryer or heavy-duty microfiber dog towel to dry your dog more quickly.
Regularly washing your dog’s bedding and toys with an odor neutralizer like baking soda or vinegar is also important, since lingering microorganisms can make the smell return. It can keep the microorganisms from undergoing the quick population growth that a damp environment encourages.
How to Get Rid of Wet Dog Smell in the House?
If your house smells like wet dog, you can get rid of it by thoroughly cleaning dog bedding, toys, and furniture, vacuuming carpets with baking soda, using an air purifier, and opening windows when washing and drying your dog. For fast results, you can use a vinegar and water mixture spray or carpet deodorizer powder around your home.
Contact All Paws Pet Wash for DIY Dog Washing
While it can feel daunting to constantly try to eliminate wet dog smell, this goal is in closer reach than you think! All Paws Pet Wash has safe, convenient, and affordable DIY dog grooming and washing systems to keep your dog smelling great.
All kiosks are climate-controlled and include high-quality pet shampoos and blow dryers. The average price for a 20-minute self-service dog wash is just $15. Many All Paws Pet Wash systems also have a pet deodorizer spray to add to your pet’s coat to keep them smelling fresh and clean.
Find a location near you today, or contact us to learn more about starting your own self-serve pet wash business!