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If your dog smells funky, like fish, it's normal to be concerned. This foul odor can come from their mouth, butt, or what may seem like their whole body.
Your dog shouldn't be smelling fishy, and it's certainly not pleasant for you as a dog parent. The causes of a fishy odor can range from something benign and easily fixable, like their diet, to a sign of something that requires medical attention, like anal gland issues.
Here are five reasons why your dog might smell like fish and what to do about it.
"The absolute most common reason your dog may smell fishy is due to a very common condition with a normal part of their anatomy called the anal glands," says Dr. Hunter Finn, a veterinarian and the owner of Pet Method.
These glands are sacs that secrete fluid, which dogs use to mark their territory. If they have an issue, the smell of this fluid can become extremely potent, Finn says.
Common anal gland issues happen if the sacs are blocked or if they become infected. Allergies could also cause problems with the glands.
Aside from the foul, fishy smell, other symptoms of anal gland issues include:
How to treat it: The treatment depends on the severity of the anal gland problems. In cases where the anal glands are blocked, the anal glands need to be manually emptied by your vet, says Dr. Shadi Ireifej, founder and chief medical officer of VetTriage.
It's possible for your dog to emit a foul fishy smell from their anal glands, even if there isn't a problem like a blockage or an infection. It may simply be a part of their fight-or-flight response when they're frightened, anxious, or stressed.
"If your dog gets alarmed or scared, an automatic bodily response is to secrete the anal glands," says Dr. Shadi Ireifej, founder and chief medical officer of VetTriage.
So, if your dog has the fishy smell specifically in times when they're scared, it's likely this is what's going on. Do anal glands typically emit different scents based on different emotions? Think we need to just clarify if that's the case.
Other common symptoms of anxiety in dogs are:
How to treat it: Since smelly anal glands due to fear isn't actually a medical condition, treatment is not necessary. However, if your dog has severe anxiety and this is happening often, you may want to try to get their anxiety under control.
Some ways to treat anxiety in dogs are:
If your dog's diet contains fish, the odor can sometimes linger on their breath.
"Many times it's because the dog is actually getting into the cat's fish-based wet food, but some dog foods are actually mainly fish-based proteins and it can leave a strong odor when they come to lick you," Finn says.
How to treat it: If your dog smells fishy due to smelly breath from their diet, treatment isn't necessary unless the smell is really bothering you.
To avoid this, Finn says you can simply switch your dog's diet to include non-fish-based protein. But make sure to speak with your vet before making any drastic changes to your pooch's diet as it could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort like diarrhea or vomiting.
If you have a cat who eats fish-based food, put it where the dog can't get to it or take other measures to ensure your dog stops getting into it.
"Dental disease in dogs can produce any number of foul odors, with a fishy odor being one possibility," Ireifej says.
Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to dental disease, or dental problems may arise if you haven't been diligently taking care of your dog's teeth.
The fishy smell might be especially apparent if a dental infection is present," Finn says.
Some other signs of dental problems in dogs include:
How to treat it: Treatment will depend on how severe your dog's dental disease is. Ireifej says treatment options include:
Talk to your vet about the best way to take care of your dog's teeth. They can provide individualized advice.
If your dog has fishy-smelling urine, it can signify a urinary tract infection, Finn says. This occurs when there is a bacterial overgrowth.
Your vet can easily identify a UTI by taking a urine sample and performing a urinalysis, says Finn.
Aside from fishy-smelling pee, other common UTI symptoms in dogs include:
How to treat it: The main treatment for a UTI is antibiotics, Finn says. However, it's important to determine if there's an underlying cause of UTIs, particularly if they're recurring.
Ireifej says some underlying causes of UTIs include:
Your vet will help determine if an underlying condition could be contributing to your dog's UTIs, and determine if further treatment is necessary.
If your dog smells fishy, the cause can range anywhere from anal gland problems to dental disease. It's best to bring them to the vet, especially if they are experiencing other symptoms, as well.
Your vet can help determine what the cause of the fishy smell is and decide the best course of treatment to get your dog feeling –– and smelling –– better.
