Expert: Delores Beck - 6/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a 9 month old neutered male cocker that always has a strong doggy smell that is offensive. He smells alright for about 3 days after bathing after which the smell build up again. He is fed on premium dry dog food and is in good general health. His or breath don''t smell. I have read that some people think that dogs should not be bathed very often, or not at all. Can you recommend any measures to decrease the smell, or is it something that I just have to put up with?

ANSWER: What exactly are you feeding?  And what shampoo are you using?

It sounds to me like he has a bit of yeast going on - and yes, it's fine to bath him as much as he needs but the key to conquering this is to use the right shampoo often enough initially to get it under control.  Also, a final rinse in half water/half white vinegar will discourage yeast.  
Delores

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QUESTION: I feed him a science diet food for puppies but have also used eukanuba and purina pro-plan (I think that is the name. It was the one that the breeder recommended when we got him). He still smells the same no matter which brand I use. I bath him with an oatmeal based pet shampoo. What shampoo would you recommend? Your answer implies that I should initially be bathing him more often - every 3 days becasue that's how long it takes before he smells again. He is sleeping 2m away from me as I write this and I can smell him from here. I will try your suggestion of a final rinse of water/vinegar. Thanks.

ANSWER: All 3 are truly inferior foods and are most definitely not premium foods.  I know the ads make them sound good..:)...but none of these foods would be on any list of excellent dog foods.

I'd stop using an oatmeal shampoo and start giving him medicated baths.  One shampoo that's good and gentle is Vet's Solution Universal Medicated shampoo.  Easy to order online.  EntirelyPets.com & AbsolutelyPets.com have it (cheaper at the latter)

Now food - cockers don't do well on high carb foods and I can give advice for any budget
on what is a good food.  But with these 3, you're guaranteeing skin & ear problems.

Delores

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QUESTION: Hi Delores

thanks for your advice. I buy the dog food from pet food stores so I thought that they were of good quality. Also, one of them, Purina, was recommended by the breeder and Eukanuba was recommended by the vet. What would you recommend - say medium price range?. I live in Australia so might not be able to buy the same foods as in the USA. I am keen to improve his odour though so will try anything. Other people are starting to comment on it.

Answer
You're going to have to bath him at least twice a week initially to get this under control.
A shampoo that vet Dermatologists like is Nizoral (most supermarkets/drugstores have it).  I'd also ask your vet for a medicated shampoo.

And finish off the bath with a half water/half white vinegar rinse.  Clip him down - it'll be easier on both of you.

Look for a smaller pet food store that carries premium brands like Innova EVO - Orijen - Wellness CORE and especially the new raw, dehydrated foods like Addiction - Sojo's Complete - or NRG foods.  If you can send me their websites or a list, I'll be happy to help you pick a higher quality food.  Check to see what you can order online.