Labrador Henry smells like a swamp all summer. Like all the dogs, she loves to go swimming, but her coat gets this funky smell from swimming. So I’m curious if your dogs have the same issue.
We’ve tried a few home made dog shampoos, the ones for when you dog gets sprayed by a skunk work for a bit. They have peroxide and dish soap in them. Its fun to mix these up when you pour the peroxide into the baking soda infused water and add the dish soap. Its like a science experiment.
But Henry doesn’t love this science experiment. We tried several odor control shampoos and finally got a prescription only shampoo from the doctor. It seems Henry has gets this yeast condition on her skin in summer when her fur gets wet. The vet shampoo does the job, but we have to bath her several times a summer.
Not surprising considering the kind of standing water and mud they roll in on a regular basis.
What kind of shampoo do you use? I’d like to try some alternatives.
Katie
Ask your vet if you can use a Tea Tree Oil shampoo on Henry. Tea Tree Oil is anti-fungal ( hence the yeast overgrowth) I used Tea Tree Oil Shmpoo on my hair for a small rash and it cleared right up and hasn’t returned as long as I continue to use it. I buy is at Sally’s Beauty Supply (generic brand for Paul Mitchell shampoo)
Just double check with vet that you can use people shampoo on Henry.
Mary H
I use a little liquid castille soap mixed in a gallon of water that I pour over Buster and lather him up real well. Then I use a cup of vinegar in another gallon jug of water to rinse him. When I had long haired dogs I rinsed with plain water and then the vinegar rinse. The vinegar gets rid of odor and any soap residue and seems to be good for their skin.
Carol
I took my golden to a dog park one day and he played so lovingly with his friend. One week later giardia. Don’t let them drink any water other then bottle when at a park and bath them before taking home unless you have accommodations for a bath
Julia
You might want to try a tea tree oil shampoo, and then use H2O2 as a rinse. A lot of swampy smell comes from anaerobic bacteria, so hitting them with a bunch of oxygen should be helpful. I think I’ve seen pet shampoo with tea tree oil and I agree – it is antifungal and should also be useful.
Linda Henderson
My yellow Lab gets a really funky summer time bacterial infection at the base of his tail. It’s probably aggravated by remaining damp after swims. Flies find his fur really attractive – yuk! After only a couple of days of Cephalexin antibiotic, the smell (and flies) are gone. Needless to say, we’ll complete the whole prescription.
Please check with your vet before using tea tree oil anything on your pet. My groomer says it’s toxic.