Mary Allen
Most dogs have a certain odor of their own. Chihuahuas are no exception. The owner often doesn’t even notice this after he’s been living with the Chi for a while. Visitors, on the other hand, often notice as soon as they enter the apartment that a dog lives in the household.
Sometimes, however, this inherent odor becomes stronger and the Chihuahua starts to stink. There can be various reasons behind this:
The dog is wet:
“It smells like a wet dog”. Everyone knows how musty a four-legged friend can smell after a walk in the rain or a swim in the lake. This will come back on its own after drying.
The Chihuahua has bloating:
Gastrointestinal diseases or unsuitable food sometimes cause smelly winds that make the owner almost faint. A change of diet sometimes works wonders.
Inferior feed:
Poor quality lining can make the coat smell bad. Dogs that are bared, on the other hand, often do not smell at all. A feed change would have to be considered.
Bad breath:
Inflamed gums, decayed teeth, tartar, and other issues can cause bad breath in Chihuahuas. Wrong food is also an option. Here the veterinarian should check the dog’s oral cavity and possibly clean it or pull out bad teeth. Unfortunately, Chihuahuas are more likely to struggle with dental problems.
If everything is fine in the mouth, you could think about changing the food if the bad breath doesn’t go away.
Ears smelly:
Inflammation, a lot of earwax, or parasites can be responsible for itching and an unpleasant odor in the ears. A veterinarian should always be consulted here.
The paws stink:
The paws are exposed to different surfaces every day. Dogs also sweat through their paws. It can help to rinse the Chihuahua’s paws with clean water or to use a paw cleaner once a day (e.g. after the last round of walking).