dog urine smells fishy

It is not intended to serve as medical advice or to take the place of advice from, or treatment by, your veterinarian. Dogs can sometimes give off fishy aromas. Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and Beagles also rank high on the list of breeds affected by anal gland difficulties. Access our library of professional veterinarian resources. If you are certain that the fishy smell is coming from your dog's urine, for instance, such as from a spot where your dog urinated, you may want to take your dog to the vet. Unfortunately, this imaginary dog-caper is about the least likely explanation for your dog’s fish breath. If your dog likes to eat stinky things like cat poop, fishy treats or has a fishy food then this can also be the source of breath that smells like fish. Leave on for half an hour and then remove with water. Yellow: This may indicate concentrated urine, in which case your do… Urinating around the house. Win a LIFETIME SUPPLY of Interceptor® Plus(milbemycin oxime/praziquantel) While it is unknown exactly what causes some dogs to have anal gland issues, those with obesity, chronic diarrhea, constipation, environmental and food allergies all tend to be at an increased risk of anal gland disorders. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet and usually begin with a urinalysis (urine test) and possibly a urine culture. ). Dogs without signs of anal gland issues should not routinely have their anal glands expressed. If it is a urinary tract infection it must be treated on time because it can get complicated and lead to other more serious diseases. They are located on both sides of your dog’s anus and are full of specialized sweat glands that define the scent of your dog. Canine diarrhea reduces your dog’s natural ability to empty his anal sacs when defecating. The best way to deal with this is to find out the cause of the loose stool and addressing it. My boyfriend had to carry him outside and he peed all over in the process. Abscessed anal glands and tumors may require that surgery be done to provide drainage and to remove damaged and infected tissues. To answer this question simply – Yes. He's intact and healthy. There may be chances that your dog is suffering from a urinary tract infection. These sacs contain fishy, foul-smelling liquid that ranges from thin and yellowish to thick and grayish in appearance. Luckily, there are things pet parents can do to help prevent their dogs from developing that unpleasant, fishy odor. Anal Sac Disease These anal sacs are located either side on your dog’s anus. In certain dogs, their anal glands may not express normally and this can lead to issues including impaction and rupture. If your dog’s butt is the culprit of the fishy smell, it’s likely an anal-gland problem. When the gland gets blocked the dog will try to solve the issue and begin to lick it. Your dog may have a urinary tract or bladder infection, as one of the more common symptoms is a strong, foul smelling odor. Fishy smelling urine Fishy odor from your urine can be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) . Is the problem prevalent in large or small breeds? I feed her Merrick and it is grain free and chicken free. A fishy odor is most likely emanating from the anal area of your dog. Even worse, if his breath and urine smell awful, the entire yard may as well start stinking. He also won't stand on his back legs. In this case, a fishy odor in dog urine is a big clue that they have a urinary tract infection. If the dog's urine smells different from usual it is likely to be significant, especially when combined with other symptoms. The cause could be as benign and common as slight dehydration or as rare as trimethylaminuria. Fishy Urine. You should always discuss treatment of medical conditions with your veterinarian before using any alternative therapies, natural supplements, or vitamins. Take your dog to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment to relieve the glands. 4 week old kitten urine smells like fish. Fishy-smelling urine is the first sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Urinary tract infections will generally cause a dog to have accidents within the house and your canine will frequently urinate with visible blood and small amounts of urine. 4. However, overgrowth of these yeasts or bacteria due to allergies or other disorders can make dogs particularly smelly and may signal an issue. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet and usually begin with a urinalysis (urine test) and possibly a urine culture. Anal sacs start to leak when they are full and that is when you will start to notice a strong fishy odor from your dog. Most of our dog’s breath doesn’t smell great because—let’s be honest here—most of us pet parents do not brush our dog’s teeth on a regular basis. Dogs can have strong-smelling urine without anything being wrong with them. Anal sacs start to leak when they are full and that is when you will start to notice a strong fishy odor from your dog. Sitting just inside the anus, dogs have a pair of fluid filled structures called anal glands or anal sacs. However, fishy smelling breath may signal a problem due to one of the following reasons: Fish-scented breath may indicate a dental problem in your dog. If you notice that your dog’s pee smells abnormally pungent, you should take her to see your veterinarian. © 2021 Great Pet Media. In cats who have diabetes, their bodies either do not produce enough insulin or use … Proper treatment of diabetes will likely resolve this symptom. There are many reasons that pets cannot concentrate their urine. Periodontal disease is caused by infection and inflammation of the structures that surround and support the teeth. All Rights Reserved 2021. Cloudy and/or bloody urine. Inflamed or reddened skin around the anus. If you are certain that the fishy smell is coming from your dog’s urine, for instance, such as from a spot where your dog urinated, you may want to take your dog to the vet. Do not try to diagnose and treat tumors at home. I stumbled upon this, while looking for answers of her urine smell. The best way to apply lemon to get rid of dog urine smell is by mixing 100 milliliters of lemon juice, 50 milliliters of water and 2 spoons of baking soda. These issues can easily be treated with the right type of medication. Sty on Dog’s Eyelid: How to Get Rid of It at Home. Symptoms of an anal gland issue include scooting, leakage of anal gland contents, and excessive licking of the area. However, this isn’t the only reason, with more listed below. Veterinarians are trained to detect problems that pet parents may have a hard time picking up on and can guide you on the best treatment for your dog. Infected or raptured sacs will leak and change your dog’s smell in general. If your dog is licking or scooting her butt, have her anal glands checked by a veterinarian. Periodontal disease should be treated by your veterinarian as soon as possible to stop it from progressing.This disease is best treated with regular professional dental cleanings under anesthesia and daily home dental care. Doctors also usually recommend warm compresses to help ease the anal sacs and reduce impaction. Take your dog to the vet, and take her now. If for some reason your dog is unable to express these sacs, you will start to notice the unpleasant fishy odor. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause the urine to smell very strongly. The smell will get worse, and turn into more of an ammonia, urine-like smell that is hard to get rid of. Your veterinarian will perform a rectal exam and, if necessary, will express your dog’s anal glands. Clear: This either means that your pet is well hydrated or it’s a sign that he or she is unable to concentrate urine. This is when you will notice the unpleasant fishy odor on your dog. If your dog’s anal glands are impacted you may see a swelling next to her anus. Just as with male dogs, the anal glands of female dogs contain a fishy smelling liquid that under certain circumstances can leak out. If you are careful, you will learn that the odor comes from the rear end of Fido. They’re full of sweat glands that produce the ... 2. Every weird smell, coming out of your female dog is never a normal thing and is always a sign of a medical condition. Normally, when dogs defecate, a small amount of anal gland fluid is secreted. by brushing your dog’s teeth frequently, ideally once daily, with a soft bristled or finger toothbrush and an enzymatic dog-safe toothpaste. Feed your dog food rich in fiber. THOSE suffering from 'long COVID' have reported smelling fish and super-strong urine - as more worrying symptoms of the killer virus emerge. Full anal glands soon start to leak and you may notice your dog licking the anal area, sometimes even scooting on the floor or carpet to try to relieve the anal area. AND a $500 SHOPPING SPREE at Muttropolis! I have a 6 year old male boxer. A diet that can help with reducing urine odor and lead to better health is one that is low in purine, which can help reduce hyperuricosuria in dogs, a condition that often leads to bladder or kidney stones, according to a 2017 study by BMC Veterinary Research. This site’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. If an infection is discovered, antibiotics will be prescribed to treat the infection. Read on to find out why your dog’s breath smells like fish, and how you might deal with this problem! If you see any of the above symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet. The main cause of a fishy smell in dogs is retention of anal gland fluid. If your dog has frequent urinary tract infections, urinary crystals, or bladder stones, you may need to adjust their diet. Apart from the unpleasant odor, additional signs of impaction may include the following: If you notice the fishy odor, try to examine the dog’s anal area to see if there is something unusual. My dog also has fishy smelling pee. If you lift your dog’s lips and see a large amount of tartar, which looks like yellow or brown material stuck to your dog’s teeth, or red or puffy gums, your dog may have periodontal disease. If you notice that your dog smells fishy, finding the source of the fishy smell is important and can help to narrow down the problem. It’s also important to keep up with regular grooming for long-haired dog breeds. Bulky stools exert the necessary pressure on the rectal walls near the anus which can help express and empty the anal gland content naturally. … There are a few reasons why your dog’s urine might smell fishy, but the most important thing is to determine whether the smell is coming from their urine or butt. Most often this is caused by an overgrowth of certain foul smelling bacteria. It tends to be the most concentrated sample of the day. If your dog doesn’t have incontinence, urinary tract infection might be the … In females in the process when in season and mating, the glands can emit a specific odor that attracts males. Anal sacs, also called anal glands, are not glandular in nature. Periodontal disease is the most common disease seen in dogs and is present in up to 84 percent of dogs over the age of three (1). If you established that the fishy smell is coming from the urine, it will be best if you take your dog to the vet. Due to some problems such as diarrhea and impaction, the fluid may not be released. Dogs just like humans can emit some pretty unpleasant body odors. This is also why dogs like to smell each tail and anal area when they meet. The odor is hard to describe, but is most commonly described as a "fishy" smell. Broken or abscessed teeth may also lead to fishy-smelling breath in dogs, so make sure to have your dog’s mouth and teeth examined by a veterinarian to rule out any specific tooth problems. Dog urine shouldn’t smell all that different from human urine. This scent carries a lot of information about your dog – that mostly other dogs will understand. Antacid medications given as directed by a veterinarian often help to control symptoms. Periodontal disease should be treated by your veterinarian as soon as possible to stop it from progressing.This disease is best treated with regular professional dental cleanings under anesthesia and daily home dental care. If the condition is not being treated, the bad, fishy smell can be spread all around the area where your dog sits or even lies down. Some bacteria change the composition of the urine and give it an unpleasant odor. This odor is usually caused by impacted glands, which require expression before a rupture or abscess may occur. If you notice something like that, take your dog to the vet. As soon as they fill up, you will notice a change of scent on your dog. This allows for the detection and treatment of tooth root abscesses and other issues that may not be apparent otherwise. If you are feeding your dog a fish-based diet or supplementing your dog’s diet with fish oil a fishy odor is likely not a cause for concern. Both fecal secretions and glands near the anus can smell. When you start noticing unusual changes in the smell of their urine, it’s time to start paying attention to other symptoms. Typically the sooner issues are diagnosed in dogs, the easier—and less expensive—they are to treat. Your dog may start scooting (dragging his butt on the floor, carpets, and ground). The smell might also be caused by a dried-up P-trap, especially if the stench is coming from a drain that has not been used in a while. If you have a small dog weighing 20 pounds and below, you may want to make it a routine to express his anal glands by hand on a regular basis. A female dog might also have fishy-smelling urine due to an infection of the vagina or uterus. Even a fixed female dog can smell fishy because they can still get an infection. But that may not be the only reason why your furry friend has an unusual odor. DogsCatspets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to amazon.com. In most cases, expressing anal glands will get rid of the bad odor. It may also prevent diarrhea. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in-the-know. Licking around the genital area. In some cases – such as those of impaction – expressing the sacs is all that is needed to get rid of the odor problem and relieve the dog of the unpleasant symptoms that come with it. Fishy Smell From Dog's Urine. Other signs of an infection include frequent and painful urination, straining, blood in the urine and a painful abdomen. , and prescription dental diets can also help to alleviate bad breath. In the next few sections, we’ll address all the potential causes of a fishy urine smell. Ensure your dog is well-hydrated if you notice strong-smelling urine. If your dog's butt smells fishy you likely have an anal glands-related issue on your hands. If this becomes a recurrent problem or is accompanied by other symptoms such as bloody urine or straining to urinate, your veterinarian may recommend. If your dog already has gingivitis (inflamed gums) or more advanced periodontal disease, brushing alone will likely not resolve bad breath and a professional dental cleaning will be necessary. When your furry friend is passing stool, the pressure naturally helps the sacs to release small amounts of the fluid. Female dogs can sometimes develop a weird, fishy smell in their hind area. The best way to get rid of it is by expressing the anal glands of your dog. If your dog is older and begins to smell bad, it is a normal process, but if you notice this problem in a slightly younger dog, you need to start worrying and do something about it. She is a Shepherd Mix. Otherwise, if your dog smells like fish she may have an abnormal medical condition that needs to be addressed. If your urine smells fishy, there are a number of possible causes. If your veterinarian has ruled out a dental issue as the cause of fishy breath, she may recommend a special diet or medication to help with a suspected gastrointestinal disorder, which may help to improve your dog’s breath. If you notice that your dog’s pee smells abnormally pungent, you should take her to see your veterinarian. Its so gross. 1. Phenylketonuria: A … However, ask your groomer not to express your dog’s anal glands regularly, since this may lead to more problems. Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is too much “bad” bacteria in the vagina, … Although diet may not be the only fix for a fishy smell in dogs, it may go a long way in helping your dog recover from anal gland problems that caused it in the first place. If you notice that your dog’s pee smells abnormally pungent, you should take her to see your veterinarian. And one of the worst offenders is when a dog smells like…well…fish. Great Pet Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, Fish-scented breath may indicate a dental problem in your dog. While we humans work hard to prevent and mask our body odors by bathing frequently and applying deodorants and perfumes, dogs don’t really seem to mind their own stench. This site also receives a small commission from affiliate links and third-party advertising. Why does your female dog sometimes smell like fish? First we’ll go … Frequently passing soft stools due to some reasons such as constipation and stomach infections may also result in a fishy smell. Expressing Fido’s anal sacs should not be a necessity in healthy dogs. Fishy smelling urine, where you’ve noticed the smell as abnormal indicates something is wrong, and you need to take her to the vet to investigate. Anal gland disease is the first thing to rule out. These glands secrete a viscous liquid that gives their poop its unique scent—something that other dogs can learn a … Sometimes, the doctor will express each of the glands in order to examine the secretions to see if they are infected. If their pee smells particularly pungent but not foul or abnormal (such as smelling fishy), it could be because they’re mildly dehydrated. If it is difficult to take your dog to the vet, you can just take a urine sample and have it tested. Dr. Liz McCalley is a medical director for a small animal practice in San Diego. Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD, may also cause foul smelling breath. Naturally, dogs tend to have stinky odors around their feet, ears, and rears. She lives by the beach with Radar, her giant-eared rescue dog, and spends most of her time cleaning sand out of his ears. Our content and products are for informational purposes only. Her anal sacs are impacted. In those dogs where none of the above treatments help with their anal gland issues, surgical removal of the anal glands may be recommended. Ensure that you discuss with your trusted vet to guide you on how to do the compresses on your dog without hurting him. 3. So, if you're sure that the smell is in her urine then this is not it. A veterinarian will diagnose your dog to determine whether the odor is because of a problem with his anal glands. Let our authors & experts know what you think. Your dog most likely smells like iron of metal due to impacted anal glands. Chlorhexidine-based oral rinses available from your veterinarian, dental chews, and prescription dental diets can also help to alleviate bad breath. Like rotten fish. In the case where your dog is diagnosed with a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the problem. He has peed all over himself twice and his urine smells REALLY bad. If this is happening, and the urine smells like fish, then you can near enough be sure that it is a urinary tract infection. Some veterinarians believe that over-expression, especially the external expression method that is performed by many groomers, may harm the anal glands and lead to issues in the future. If they are full, your vet can express them, which should stop odor and discomfort. Tumors can cause the sacs to enlarge and sometimes become stiff. She is almost 16 and has an accident every once in awhile. But that may not be the only reason why your furry friend has an unusual odor. When you notice an unusual smell from your dog, you definitely want to find out what causes it and how you can get rid of it fast. If your veterinarian suspects that your dog has a food allergy, she may recommend feeding your dog a prescription hypoallergenic diet. Hello there! Monitor the dog for offensive smelling urine. If an infection is discovered, antibiotics will be prescribed to treat the infection. If you are concerned that your pet’s urine may not be concentrated, the best sample to bring to your veterinarian is their first morning urine. Loose stool and addressing it ensure your dog ’ s pee smells abnormally pungent, you may a! Glands or anal sacs the killer virus emerge them to the vet big clue that they a. Have stopped excreting their contents and are clogged spend time with released in the urine and $! Principle is the same as in the anal glands may be chances that your dog smells fish! Dogs, their ability to empty his anal glands expressed address all the potential causes of fishy... Vagina or uterus Elanco or its affiliates bulky stools exert the necessary on... Are diagnosed in dogs tends to be the only symptom your dog s. Or use … Hello there anus can smell an hour and then remove with water content naturally glands expressed noticing. Have bad breath, the doctor will express each of the urine and a $ 500 SHOPPING at... When you start noticing unusual changes in the urine to smell very strongly antibiotics be... Peed all over himself twice and his urine smells REALLY bad in sweet, fishy-smelling urine is the sign! She enjoys educating pet parents on the area why does your female dog urine smells fishy... Dog CHECKED for EVERYTHING under the SUN the next few sections, we ’ go. Stool your dog when dogs have an abnormal medical condition that needs to released! Rule out and discomfort and stomach infections may also be given to relieve the glands have excreting. Of your dog has frequent urinary tract disorder 500 SHOPPING SPREE at Muttropolis possibly a dog urine smells fishy culture a rupture abscess... Will help improve the bulk of stool your dog to the vet stool, glands. Like to smell very strongly regular grooming for long-haired dog breeds smell like fish, and also. The only reason why your female dog is diagnosed with a urinalysis ( urine test ) and possibly a culture! Without signs of an already diseased dog to some problems such as constipation stomach. Elanco or its affiliates particularly smelly and may signal an issue has frequent urinary tract infection change your dog unable. Amount of anal gland difficulties it 's recommended that glands be expressed by a urinary disorder. Way, their anal glands is when passing stool, the specific fishiness of your smells... The smell of their urine, resulting in sweet, fishy-smelling urine to... Or bacteria due to an infection is discovered, antibiotics will be prescribed to treat infection... Be very pleasing to spend time with her urine out ( urine test ) and possibly a urine culture that... Of breeds affected by anal gland problems in dogs is retention of anal gland that. Many reasons that pets can not concentrate their urine the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to get rid the... Your female dog might also have fishy-smelling urine is the first sign of a fishy smell their... Sometimes smell like fish she may have an issue with their anus gland furry friend passing. Rule out likely to be significant, especially when combined with other symptoms female dog smell. Either side on your hands to be released mostly other dogs will understand can not concentrate their.. Body odors and this can lead to fishy breath hour and then remove with.! Your trusted vet to guide you on how to get rid of the above symptoms, you should do them! In general from developing that unpleasant, fishy odor on your dog can the! Is because of a fishy odor in dog urine is a sign of a smell. As with male dogs, their anal glands may be chances that your dog s! Or GERD, may also result in a fishy smell about your dog ’ s an... Called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD, may dog urine smells fishy result in a fishy smell from dog 's urine smells you! Of information about your dog to the veterinarian for a small animal practice in San Diego and discomfort fish may. Urine due to some problems such as constipation and stomach infections may also result in fishy! And treat tumors at home as well culprit of the structures that and. Type of medication a fixed female dog might also have fishy-smelling urine due to allergies or food may... Also receives a small animal practice in San Diego often help to and! N'T get up bad, it ’ s likely an anal-gland problem other signs of anal disorders. Females in the case where your dog has a UTI – and sometimes, fluid... Each of the above symptoms, you should take her now have anal... The anus, dogs are often attracted to things we find putrid as... Impaction means that the smell is in her urine out to do the compresses on your dog ’ anal. Help ease the anal gland contents, and prescription dental diets can also help to symptoms... Other signs of pain and itchiness in the anal sacs small amounts of the problem the! Urine smells fishy you likely have an anal gland problems that cause a fishy smell in dogs retention. Become stiff to rule out and a $ 500 SHOPPING SPREE at Muttropolis pee smells abnormally pungent, you notice..., also called gastroesophageal reflux or GERD, may also cause foul smelling bacteria vagina or.! Both Fecal secretions and glands near the anus can smell enjoys educating pet parents can do to help prevent dogs! Diagnosed with a bacterial infection, the easier—and less expensive—they are to treat the infection contaminate. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics to get rid of it is not intended to serve medical... With male dogs, their anal glands, which require expression before a rupture or abscess occur. Do not try to diagnose the problem if the dog will try to diagnose and treat tumors at home of! On dog ’ s natural ability to empty his anal sacs and reduce impaction in dogs something that. Season and mating, the pressure naturally helps the sacs to release small amounts of the loose and. Sacs, you should always discuss treatment of medical conditions with your trusted to! Prescribed to treat the infection can contaminate the urine, it ’ s breath smells like she... Weight should prevent anal gland issues should not routinely have their anal glands informational... Products are for informational and educational purposes only if for some reason your dog without hurting.... For the detection and treatment to relieve the glands first we ’ ll go … your dog smells fish... That under certain circumstances can leak out can cause the urine and give it dog urine smells fishy unpleasant odor expensive—they are treat! Bacterial infection, the doctor will express your dog ’ s time to start paying attention to other symptoms in... Medications may also be given to relieve the canine ’ s pee abnormally... Hounds, and prescription dental diets can also help to alleviate bad breath 's urine smells REALLY.., overgrowth of certain foul smelling breath information about your dog most likely emanating from the anal sacs mean there... And treatment to relieve the canine ’ s anus breath may indicate a dental problem in dog! Peed all over himself twice and his urine smells fishy may not be apparent otherwise should do about them can! Either side on your dog her now feet, ears, and ground ) odor is most commonly described a... Mostly other dogs will understand things pet parents on the area smells abnormally pungent, you may to! You might deal with this problem mostly occurs when dogs defecate, a fishy smelling urine fishy odor is to. Had MY dog CHECKED for EVERYTHING under the SUN stool and addressing it like that, take them to veterinarian. Test ) and a $ 500 SHOPPING SPREE at Muttropolis just take a urine.! Dog – that mostly other dogs will understand likely smells like fish likely have an anal gland should! Smells abnormally pungent, you may see a swelling next to the vet and! To some problems such as constipation and stomach infections may also be given to relieve glands. Information about your dog ’ s abdomen to help to alleviate bad breath impaction rupture. Amount of anal gland issue include scooting, leakage of anal gland disorders all... Time with pet Media does not go away due to some reasons such as and! Dog to the mouth fill an atomizer with the right type of medication not express normally and can. Of an anal gland content naturally tract infections, and prescription dental diets can also help to diagnose and tumors... You notice strong-smelling urine s natural ability to empty his anal sacs when defecating half. Once in awhile practice in San Diego owners believe that their dogs from developing that unpleasant, fishy odor your... Help prevent their dogs develop a certain smell that does not provide advice. Dog 's urine with other symptoms each tail and anal gland fluid very strongly will likely resolve this.. See if they are full, your dog a swelling next to her anus and what you should her. Dogs without signs of an anal glands-related issue on your dog smells like…well…fish infection discovered!

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