In a few forums, I discovered that a commonly asked question about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is why they smell bad. As being a dog lover, I did some research on this matter in order to minimize your workload. This is what I found.
Why is it that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel smells so bad? Naturally Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should not stink. However, they might smell bad for different health issues (Dental problems, leaky anal glands, ear infections etc), lack of bath and grooming and so on. In these circumstances, it is a good idea to clean your dog and her surrounding thoroughly.
I have found 7 possible reasons why a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might stink. In addition, I have listed 10 possible solutions for keeping your Cavalier from stinking. Continue reading to learn about them.
Related Topic: Why Do Border Terriers Smell So Bad?
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Smelly Dogs?
Unlike many dog breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not smell bad naturally. If your dog smells bad, it is more likely that she is going through something that is causing this sort of issue. Especially, if you notice she smells bad from time to time then this is definitely the case.
Besides, it can be less of a physical issue and more of a consequential issue. As Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to chase the little animals, they can become pretty dirty and dusty. So, you might soon have a very smelly dog to deal with if you don’t regularly clean her. Keep reading to know why your fur baby might be stinking so bad.
7 Root Causes: Why Does Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Stink?
Only by finding out the reason behind your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s bad smell, you can actually help her. So, let’s figure out why your four-legged companion has a bad odor.
#1 Does your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Roll In Something Smelly or Decaying?
If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel smells bad, there is no need to think she is suffering from something serious right away.
There are a variety of reasons why your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might stink. The most frequent cause of bad odor in Cavalier is dirt, as it is with most dogs. Your dog’s skin is protected by oils that she secretes. These oils attract dirt and, over time, form a greasy, odorous layer.
Besides, their fur requires a lot of maintenance. So, if they roll in something smelly or decaying, it will attract their fur and this will cause them to smell very bad.
#2 Does Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Smells Bad Because Bath Irregularly?
Bathing is required for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from time to time. The frequency of bathing is determined by your dog’s diet. If you feed a raw diet to your pup, you can give her 5-6 weeks until the next bath. However, you should give her a bath every 2-3 weeks when feeding your dog kibbles.
Besides, keeping your dog clean whenever she enters the house from outside will help you avoid medical problems that could cause your Cavalier to stink if you don’t take care of her.
Below I have provided a discussion from a forum which suggests the same.
from: https://www.quora.com/
#3 Does Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Stinks When They Get Wet?
Make sure your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does not stay wet after taking her bath or in any other situation. Yeast and bacteria live in your dog’s fur, despite the fact that you wash and brush her on a regular basis. It is perfectly normal. There is no unpleasant odor as long as your dog stays dry.
However, feces or “organic chemicals” are left behind by these microorganisms. When your dog’s fur gets wet, these compounds separate, and then disperse into the air, giving off that bad odor.
Read To Know: How Dog’s Fur Tells A Lot About Your Puppy’s Health?
#4 Is your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Suffering From Microorganisms?
If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is suffering from microorganisms in her coat, that alone can give rise to many other health issues. Read below to know about them.
- Dental Disease:
Gingivitis and infections in your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are caused by bacteria found in plaque and tartar.
- Skin Infection:
Close skin contact causes stinky skin disorder, which creates a warm, wet environment ideal for the growth of surface microbes like bacteria and yeast.
- Ear Infection:
Like skin infections, the warm and moist ear environment is ideal for the development of yeasts and bacteria which can create bad odor in your dog’s ear.
#5 Does Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Gets a Leaky Anal Gland?
Anal sacs, two small glands situated on either side of the rectum, release a thin, foul-smelling fluid when your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel defecates. They are an important and natural part of your dog’s anatomy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to anal sac disease. Anal sac infections may occur in dogs, causing them to inappropriately lick their hind end or scoot along the floor to alleviate the pressure from full anal sacs.
Naturally, anal glands should not smell bad. However, if your dog’s anal glands stink, that may mean that she has a problem. You can prevent a bad infection and the smell that comes with it if you keep the area clean or you can also get her checked by a vet.
#6 Is Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Suffering From Dental Diseases?
Dogs can have terrible breath, according to experts, and there are two primary factors for this condition. One of the most common problems is that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not getting proper dental care.
Cavaliers are sensitive to tartar and plaque buildup, and failing to brush their teeth on a regular basis can lead to gum disease. Bad breath is usually caused by a build-up of odor-producing bacteria in your dog’s mouth, but it can also be caused by something much more serious.
An abnormality in your dog’s mouth, as well as his respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, or internal organs, can cause persistent bad breath. Diabetes, kidney disease etc are all illnesses that can cause your dog to have bad breath.
Other experts believe that when dogs eat bad-smelling food, bacteria builds up in their mouths.
#7 Is Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Suffering from Smelly Ears?
Ear infections in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can result in an unpleasant odor. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s smelly ears can be caused by a variety of factors. For example-
- Lack of Cleanliness:
If the ear of your dog is not being cleaned once in a while, a stinky odor can come from it.
- Continual Moisture:
If your dog swims daily without following through with a proper ear-drying routine, she is more likely to develop chronic ear infections.
- Excessive Hair On Top Of Or Inside The Ear Canal:
This is also a good reason to get infections as the ears of your dog might get sweaty or wet and not dried off properly. The warm and wet atmosphere in your dog’s ear is perfect for yeast and bacteria to thrive.
Below I have provided a similar answer from an experienced Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owner.
from: https://www.quora.com/
Related Reading: Why Do Bullmastiffs Smell So Bad?
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Getting Specific Type Of Stinks
Some frequently asked questions regarding Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s stink is given below.
Why Does My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have Stinks In Eyes?
According to Mark J. Stickney, DVM, clinical assistant professor and director of general surgery services, “Some dogs have a lot of drainage from their eyes, and they get that brown tearing around their eyes”.
Bacteria can develop in the moist fur under the eyes, causing an unpleasant odor. If your dog has a discharge or tearing around the eyes, it may be a symptom of a health condition, such as conjunctivitis. Consult the doctor if your dog has this sort of problem.
Related Reading: Are Cairn Terrier Smelly Dogs?
Why Does Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Ears Smell Terrible?
As I have mentioned in section 3.9, there can be many reasons why your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s ears smell terribly. Now let’s find out if the intensity of the smell has any meaning or not.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Bad Smelling Issue: Can That Harm Your Dog?
The degree to which your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s ears stink is also important. A light, the yeasty odor might simply indicate that your dog’s ears need to be cleaned.
An ear infection has a much stronger, disturbing odor and should be reported to your veterinarian as soon as possible. The smell of infected ears can also be detected from afar.
Read To Know: Are Border Collies Smelly Dogs? Do They Stink Naturally?
Why Does Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breath Smell So Bad?
The reason behind your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s bad breath can be lack of dental care, many dental diseases and so on.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Stinky Breath: Will It Harm A Lot To Your Doggy?
Although a mild odor is common in dogs, stinky dog breath may signify a dental infection, a diseased tooth, or an oral tumor. Dental problems, if left untreated, can lead to eating difficulties, tooth loss, and severe infection.
Related Reading: Why Does Boston Terrier Smell So Bad?
10 Easy Ways To Keep Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dog Smelling Wonderful!
Bad odor is never a positive thing, and if left unchecked, it can lead to a number of health concerns for your dog. Below some tips are given to keep your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog from smelling bad.
#1 Create A Routine Bath Schedule
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels don’t need to be bathed too much – maybe once every six weeks or so depending on their diet, lifestyle etc.
The value of maintaining a healthy skin and coat cannot be overstated. Mild shampoos to clean your fur babies are recommended by experts. Choosing the right products for your bathing program will help you achieve the best possible outcome.
By maintaining a routine bath schedule, your dog will not be dirty for too long and will always smell wonderful.
#2 Avoid Foods Those Fuel Yeasts
Feed a nutritious diet to your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. If you think your dog’s diet is the issue, try a new diet with different ingredients.
It is never pleasant to see your pet in pain. Yeast infections are normal in dogs, but they can make them itchy, irritable, and even lead to more serious problems. Know your dog’s food properly. Anti-yeast dog food lowers the yeast’s energy supply, allowing your pup to become yeast-free.
For more details, talk to your veterinarian.
#3 Use Coconut Oil
As mentioned before, a moist atmosphere is ideal for the growth of yeast and bacteria which creates an unpleasant odor in your dog’s eyes.
It is easy to treat tear stains with coconut oil. You must first find and treat the source of your dog’s tear stains before using coconut oil as a cure. If you don’t, the dog’s tears will come back over and over again.
Coconut oil is safe to use on dogs, and it also has some advantages. When applied to a dog’s coat, coconut oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties that prevent bacteria from growing.
#4 Get A Washable Dog Bed
Get a washable bed for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Your dog’s bedding should be washed on a regular basis.
A smelly dog can be caused by dirty, stinky bedding. Give it a spritz to disinfect the dog and the bedding easily. To make it, first contain a spray bottle with ¼ amount of witch hazel and ¾ amount of water. Approximately 5 drops of lavender essential oil should be added to the mixture.
If you like, add a little more essential oil, but don’t make the smell too intense as your dog won’t like it.
#5 Clean Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Lounging Areas
Keeping your dog clean is not enough. You have to make sure her lounging areas are kept clean as well.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed a lot of fur. Besides, the constant activity of a dog makes it hard sometimes to keep her territories clean. In these cases, you can do few different things like-
Use an automatic vacuum, clean with a lint roller, give your dog pedicures, keep stain remover nearby, wipe their paws frequently, wash their feet etc. These will help your dog not get dirty and smell normal.
#6 Dry Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel All The Way
As mentioned before, as long as your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is dry you have nothing to worry about the microorganisms and the smell caused from them.
Make sure to dry your dog after a bath or if she gets wet somehow. Daily baths and keeping your dog as dry as possible during each bath are the best ways to control the wet-dog smell.
The scent does not go away with just towel drying. She needs to be dried carefully, either in the sun or with a blower.
Related Reading: Why And How Dying Your Dog’s Hair Is A Bad Idea?
#7 Brush Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Teeth
If you feed your dog kibble or canned food, you will want to keep an eye on her teeth and keep them clean.
Brushing your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s teeth on a daily basis will help her maintain good oral health and avoid bad breath. After a short period of time, most dogs will become accustomed to having their teeth brushed.
#8 Use Dental Products To Avoid Bad Breath
There are many types of canine toothpastes on the market. Chlorhexidine is used in a variety of rinses, foaming mouthwashes, and oral sprays. This antibacterial is excellent for cleaning and maintaining the cleanliness of your dog’s mouth.
Aside from these, special oral health diets, dental chews, and water additives are also needed. Make sure to talk to an expert before purchasing them.
#9 Use Doggy Wipes When Necessary
Wipes for dogs aren’t a decent replacement for a good bath. Dog wipes are great for removing surface soil or dirt that has accumulated on top of your dog’s coat. They are also useful for cleaning tiny areas like your dog’s muzzle or dirty paws. In a nutshell, dog wipes are excellent for cleaning small areas.
Since dogs have a different pH from humans, it is always safer to use items designed specifically for dogs. Not all dog wipes are suitable for everyday use, so choose your bath wipes carefully. Personally, you should use fragrance-free and chemical-free dog wipes.
#10 Get Suitable Shampoos For Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Since your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a water-resistant coat, you would most likely need to give her two baths by shampooing her twice. Because a dog’s skin has a different pH than a human’s, make sure you use a dog-specific shampoo on her instead of a human shampoo.
The following are some characteristics to look for in a Cavalier dog shampoo: Hypoallergenic formula, natural ingredients, deodorizing shampoo, silky effect, soap-free formula etc.
Read To Learn: How To Deworm Dogs And Puppies
Over To You
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Further Readings:
Physical Characteristics Of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems
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3. Best Waterless Dog Shampoo
