Why does my dog smell like fish: Issue Might be more serious than you think

If your dog smells like fish then this is something you should worry about as it may be due to serious skin infection, Dead skin or patches of dirt and debris stuck in your dog’s fur.

But there is another reason too for fish like smell from your dog and that needs to be cured immediately.

Don’t panic! Just read the guide below and it will surely solve your problem.

Are you worried because of your dog fishy smell even after the shower? This would be a matter of grave concern if you carry your dog at a party or any public place. Well, I don’t have any sugar-coated words to express this but this is a fact. A healthy anal sac will naturally release this smelly and oil like fluid while bowel movement or when dog marks their territory. If anal sacs do not work properly and fluid gets accumulated inside the glands. Leading to foul smell or fishy smell coming out from your dog.

Anal Glands. What are they?

Most commonly, anal sac glands are known as anal glands and technically their structure is not glandular. These anal sacs glands perform a few specific functions in the dog. It helps a dog to mark their familiar places or to identify other members of dogs of the same species. It is also known as the odor gland. That’s the main reason your dog gives a fish-like smell.

How to Identify If My Dogs Anal Glands are Blocked?

Here are some of the common signs that need to be observed:

  • A pungent smell coming from your dog
  • Dog butt scooting on the carpet
  • Dog licking the anal area
  • Sitting in an uncomfortable way

How do I know if my Dog’s Anal Glands are Empty?

Before squeezing anal sacs glands of your dog wear soft latex gloves. Gently wipe out your dog bottom with a piece of clean cotton cloth and remove any dribbled fluids. Stop doing that when you feel the sacs deflated and fluid stop coming out. It means anal glands are empty. However, even after a few tries if you are unsuccessful then stop doing that and try again the next day. Either it is better option to get help from a professional veterinarian. Repeated milking of the glands might cause pain and injured your dog. This may increase your trouble further.

How do I Empty a Dog’s Anal Sacs?

External Method –

This method can be carried out at your home. Make your dog stand on an elevated table or surface so that you must be in a position that is level with the dog’s bottom. Have another person who can hold your dog so that your dog does not walk away or sit down. Do not allow your dog to get frightened or panic. Make them feel relaxed with your sweet conversation. Now, hold your dog’s tail gently and pull out of the way. After that with your latex-gloved hand, gently put two fingers (thumb and index finger) on either side of the dog’s bottom. Full anal glands feel similar to two large peas. Gently press these portions with your finger and remove the dribbled oily fluid.

Internal Method –

It is often used by the veterinarian. This method is more intrusive and difficult to perform. So, most of the pet parents prefer to go with the external method. Under this method, a vet inserts a lubricated gloved finger gently into your dog’s bottom and try to feel the accumulated sacs fluid. They empty both the anal sacs, one at a time. After this operation, some pain relief. Get advice from your vet.

How often do Anal Glands need to be squeezed or expressed?

This is a bit tricky question. For some dogs, anal glands need to be expressed manually at regular intervals. It depends on the breed, age of the dog and nature of the diet. It could be once or twice a year for one type of dog or as often as every month in specific situations. Observe the poop of your dog and keep the record of color, consistency, content, and coating. A healthy dog poop color should be chocolate brown with the little firm in consistency like a play-dough. Poop passed in one single piece or fewer single piece is considered to be a sign of healthy bowel movement.

Causes of Anal sacs for becoming full:

Anal sac glands get empty at the time when a dog release solid waste from its body or defecates. For anal sac fluid to be emptied properly your dog stool or poop should be firm enough to put pressure on glands. So that while releasing the poop, it collects smelly fluid from the anal sac glands.  Do not apply excessive pressure on the anal sac gland to be emptied properly if your dog is experiences watery, soft stools or suffering from diarrhea. This leads to an anal sac filled with a stinky oily fluid. The soft poop is the more common cause.

Removal of Anal Sac Glands:

Many pet lovers may get this thought but this operation may result in fatal consequences. It must be performed under certain circumstances. Due to the importance of anal sac glands and some complications, it is not recommended as a proper solution. Anal gland surgery leads to an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas and complete loss of bowel control movement. This is one of the side effects of anal glands surgery.

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Best Prevention Method to avoid Fishy Smell from Dog:

To avoid a fishy smell put your dog on a healthy fiber diet and ensure they get plenty of exercises. Small and obese dogs are at high risk of getting anal sac disease. Check and monitor the dog’s stool for size and firmness. If their stools or poop are too small or soft then add high residue (cereal-based) to their diet. You can also add bran to your dog’s diet to firm up the stool and bulk them out. Keep the weight of your dog under control because overweight dogs are more likely to get an anal sac problem. These are the natural remedy of anal gland emptying and thus keeping fishy smell miles away from your beautiful dog.

Another sign to look for:

A full anal sacs may not be the only reason for your dog fishy smell. The foul smell could be because of other issues. Give a shower to your baby dog regularly by using some decent shampoo with a nice fragrance. This will avoid the unnecessary foul smell from your dog.

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Does the Dogs with Blocked Anal Gland Sacs are in Danger?

Yes, If left untreated. A full anal sac can lead an infection in your dog. It can also cause a physical discomfort too. Dog having full anal gland sac may harm themselves. As they keep on scratching and chewing their rear end to get relief from the pressure. Besides, it can cause emotional disturbance and creates an environment of stress and fear. Under such a situation your innocent dog could not able to figure out what is happening with them. In case if you spot any puss and blood in your dog’s fecal matter then immediately consult a good Veterinarian.

Unnecessary messing around with a dog’s anal glands for no real reason can put your dog in trouble. Let the dog own their body. Show your love and care when they are helpless or whenever they require your support.