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Smells and Odors

Chihuahua Bad Smells and Odd Odors

Overview

Chihuahuas are an easy breed to keep clean; they are tiny, have short coats (aside from longhaired Chi), and since they are indoor dogs, this limits the amount of mess they can get into. However, even if your Chihuahua looks super clean and is well-groomed, the puppy or dog may still develop an odd smell that leaves you baffled. 

This section will cover all of the types of odors that may be coming from a Chihuahua. This includes:
  • Bad smells from the mouth, rear end, from a dog’s urine, the ears, the paws, and the female vaginal area
  • All-over body odors
  • Smelling even right after a bath
  • All possible causes
  • Exact steps to fix these issues. 
Before you know it, your Chihuahua will be smelling fresh and clean. 

Bad Smells from a Chihuahua’s Mouth

two Chihuahua dogs
two Chihuahua dogs
Max (at 1 year old) and Emmy Sue (8 weeks old),
photo courtesy of Michele
The issue of bad breath (halitosis) is not uncommon, but that does not mean that it should be ignored.

The 4 top reasons for this include:

Buildup of plaque – Plaque and tartar can smell quite terrible. Generally, this has a sort of ‘rotten’ type smell and/or sour-type odor. Canines produce plaque round the clock and it can turn into tartar within just 48 hours; so, unless you are using methods to keep it from building up, there is a good possibility that this is the reason for terrible smells coming from the mouth. 

Decay/infections – If a Chihuahua has had plaque buildup for a while, this may spiral into a more serious issue since it eats away at enamel and can move under the gum line. 

Dry kibble that causes ‘dog breath’ – When people talk about ‘dog breath’ this typically relates to a dog smelling like his food, but amplified and with an odd tinge to it. This sort of smell is often due to the kibble that a Chi eats, and this can occur even with top quality brands.
This is because with dry kibble, there can be a coating of ‘dust’; these are tiny food particles that have broken off from the pieces. The amount of this food dust increases if the kibble has gone stale. There may also be more of this toward the bottom of the bag, and this is more prone to happening with large, bulk-sized bags. 

When a dog eats food that contains these fine particles, it mixes with the dog’s saliva, and can form a sort of paste. This food paste is hard to swallow; it typically gets stuck in and around teeth, and/or even in the inner pockets of the cheeks. 

This, in turn, can lead to a bad smell being emitted each time that the Chihuahua breathes out. 

Foreign matter stuck in the teeth – Canines are curious by nature, so if given the chance, any number of tiny objects can be mouthed and then get stuck in between teeth. Most common are small blades of grass. 

When something is wedged in the mouth, the increase of saliva, paired with possible bleeding from a cut in the mouth, and mixed with the degrading substance can produce a bad smell. 
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female Chihuahua wearing a sweater
Bella,photo courtesy of April Prissel
Bella, at 3 months old,
photo courtesy of April Prissel
What to do:

If you suspect that dry food may be causing the problem, you can:
  • Buy smaller bags so that the kibble stays fresh.
  • Seal the bags tightly or transfer the kibble to air-sealed plastic containers
  • Take care when pouring out the last serving of kibble from the bag, looking for excessive ‘food dust’ particles
  • Encourage your Chihuahua to drink more water, especially after a meal
  • Brush your Chi’s teeth each day, preferably after dinner
If you suspect a foreign object is stuck in the teeth, do a visual inspection with a small flashlight. If you see the offender, you may be able to free it using your Chi’s toothbrush, or with your fingers pinched over a small piece of dry cloth. 

If you cannot release it, you’ll need to bring your Chihuahua to the vet; if it wedges in the skin, a splinter in the mouth will need special extraction and follow-up care. 

If you suspect a tooth issue, your Chihuahua should have a dental examination at the veterinarian. 
A full cleaning will be done, which will involve scraping off plaque. And x-rays will be taken to look for any issues, including decay. 

If you suspect that your Chihuahua’s teeth need to be cleaned better, there are several things that will help:
1. Brush the teeth daily. Use an appropriately sized canine toothbrush and a quality canine paste. It is vital to not use human paste, since these are toxic due to the fluoride and can make a dog choke due to the foaming soap. Canine pastes are non-foaming and fluoride -free. 

You can use a small brush, or a finger brush (which slips over your pointer finger). Use a paste that your Chihuahua will enjoy (since it is meant to be swallowed) like vanilla, beef, or chicken flavor (recommendations ahead). 

2. Offer a daily dental chew. This plays a big role as well in keeping a Chihuahua’s teeth free of plaque and keeping breath fresh. 

3. A plaque-fighting water supplement can help; these are also referred to as ‘canine mouthwashes’; but are not meant to be swished and spit out. This sort of tasteless additive can help kill bacteria both in a Chihuahua’s mouth and in the water bowl. 
Below are our recommended aids to help destroy odors and plaque. If you do not see the images, try a refresh, and on mobile you may need to turn your screen horizontal to see all 4. 

Bad Smells from a Chihuahua’s Rear End

There are 2 main reasons why a Chihuahua may have a bad smell coming from his or her bum or genital area: 
Stools or urine stuck to the body - Since dogs do not use toilet paper, it’s not uncommon for there to be small bits of fecal matter stuck to the fine hairs around the anus. And, even tiny amounts can smell quite bad. 

In addition, urine can splatter back up onto a dog, depending on what type of surface and with what force a Chihuahua pees onto. Dogs that release full bladders onto hard surfaces often do get backsplash; this will soak into the fur and start to smell quite terrible. 

Anal gland oil – All dogs have a set of anal glands; one on each side of the anal opening. These are also known as scent glands; they hold scent oil that is released in minute amounts when two dogs greet each other. 

Also, tiny amounts are released when a firm bowel movement is passed.

The oil smells incredibly foul. It is often worse than skunk spray, and can be very overpowering. 

Sometimes, the glands can fill with excess fluid; also referred to as being engorged. The Chihuahua may scoot his bottom along the ground due to the itching that comes along with the stretched skin. If so, the gland may break open, with the oil being released. 
Stools or urine stuck to the body - Since dogs do not use toilet paper, it’s not uncommon for there to be small bits of fecal matter stuck to the fine hairs around the anus. And, even tiny amounts can smell quite bad. 

In addition, urine can splatter back up onto a dog, depending on what type of surface and with what force a Chihuahua pees onto. Dogs that release full bladders onto hard surfaces often do get backsplash; this will soak into the fur and start to smell quite terrible. 

Anal gland oil – All dogs have a set of anal glands; one on each side of the anal opening. These are also known as scent glands; they hold scent oil that is released in minute amounts when two dogs greet each other. Also, tiny amounts are released when a firm bowel movement is passed.

The oil smells incredibly foul. It is often worse than skunk spray, and can be very overpowering. 

Sometimes, the glands can fill with excess fluid; also referred to as being engorged. The Chihuahua may scoot his bottom along the ground due to the itching that comes along with the stretched skin. If so, the gland may break open, with the oil being released. 
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cute Chihuahua puppy
Lula,photo courtesy of Rachel Barnett
Lula, at 5 months old,
photo courtesy of Rachel Barnett
Even if there is a small crack and just a tiny amount of oil is leaking out, this is enough to send out a massively overpowering odor that just about knocks you over. 

*** See next section for vaginal smells with female Chihuahuas.
What to do:

For stool or urine smells, if your Chihuahua tends to get fecal matter stuck to his butt, or if you suspect that urine is splashing up, you don’t have to keep giving your Chi baths (too many can cause dry skin). You will want to spot clean your Chihuahua using quality canine body wipes. 

You may use a general wipe or a tushie wipe. Be sure to use ones that are hypoallergenic and with soothing ingredients such as aloe. Since you’ll want to stay one step ahead, do not wait for your Chihuahua to start smelling; be proactive and wipe your Chi down after each bathroom trip, or at least twice per day. 
A really good general wipe is Earthbath All Natural Grooming Wipes, which can be used on all areas of the body including the face and paws. These come in a few different formulas, including fragrance-free, green tea, and one just for puppies. 
And, if you want a wipe just for the rear end, Petkin Tushie Wipes is a great one; it's specially formulated to help wipe off dried bits of poo.
If you suspect an anal gland issue, you can try to inspect the area (remember that the glands are outside of the anus, under the tail). If there is ripped skin, you’ll want to bring your Chihuahua to the vet, or apply a topical antibiotic gel or cream. Keep an eye on this for increased redness, swelling, or irritation, and bring your Chi to the vet if the area does not heal. 

To try and prevent excessive accumulation of oil, it can help to keep stools firm. If your Chihuahua does not have firm stools, adding 1 teaspoon of 100% real pumpkin to a meal, once per day may help. 

Bad Vaginal Smells with Female Chihuahua Dogs

Many times, a terrible smell seemingly coming from a female dog’s vagina is in fact an anal gland issue. So, first, you’ll want to assess for that. In addition, there can be some mild odors associated with the heat cycle

This said, a strong fishy smell coming from a Chi’s vagina may be vaginitis. This is an infection, either bacterial or yeast. 

There may also be some discharge, which can transfer the smell to any area that the Chihuahua sits or lays on, such as carpeting, sofa, or beds. The discharge may be white or cream, and not immediately noticeable, other than the possible overpowering bad smell that it leaves behind.

In some, but not all, cases there will also be some itching. The Chihuahua may lick at the area, or rub against objects. 

What to do:

For a vaginal infection, the veterinarian will need to prescribe antibiotics.

If a Chihuahua’s Urine has a Strong, Bad Smell

Chihuahua outside
Chihuahua outside
Monty,photo courtesy of John Allman
Monty, at 1 year, 3 months,
photo courtesy of John Allman
With this, urine will have a super strong odor that some describe as overly alkaline, like sulphur, garlic, or even rotten eggs. In any case, it will be very noticeable.

There are two main causes for this:

Dehydration – If a Chihuahua is not drinking enough, this can lead to very concentrated urine, which is typically very dark and has a much stronger smell than normal. 

Health issue – Much more common, and the main reason for extremely smelly pee is some sort of issue or infection. At the top of this list is a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection.

Other signs include frequent urination, accidents or dibbling of urine, blood in the urine, signs of discomfort while urinating, licking at the genital area, and/or cloudy or discolored urine. 

Other less common but possible causes include canine diabetes, bladder stones, tumor in the bladder, and blocked urethra.
What to do:
If you suspect that your Chihuahua is not meeting his water intake requirements (anywhere from 8.5 to 17 ounces of water per each 10 pounds of body weight), encourage your Chi to drink more. You can:
  • Offer ice cubes (which many dogs find to be fun)
  • Add fruit with high water content to meals or give as snacks (watermelon, blueberries, strawberries)
  • Bring water along with you wherever you go with your Chi; offer rests and water breaks every hour
  • At home, use a canine water fountain like the PetSafe Drinkwell Zen Stainless Steel Fountain which attracts dogs due to the moving water
If you suspect a UTI or other health issue, do not delay in bringing your Chihuahua to the vet. UTIs and bladder infections are treated with antibiotics. 

Bad Odors from a Chihuahua’s Ears

If there is a strong smell coming from the ears, often one that can be described as ‘musty’, this points to an ear infection. And ear infections are quite common; in fact, this is the #1 reason for vet visits. 

Other signs include tilting of the head, rubbing the head against surfaces, ear discharge, and/or pawing at the ears. 
Ear infections can develop due to allergies, excessive wax not being routinely cleaned, and excess moisture in the ears, among other things. 

What to do:

It is recommended to bring your Chihuahua to the veterinarian so that the ears can be examined and tested to see which type of bacteria is to blame. 

This said, it may be possible to resolve an ear infection from home. If you do not see results, or if ear infections are reoccurring, this warrants professional veterinary treatment.

To try and resolve this from home, you would use a quality ear cleaner like EcoEars Dog Ear Infection FormulaYou apply a small amount into each ear (one at a time), massage the base for 1 to 2 minutes, and then swipe the ear canal (not too deep) with clean, sterile gauze. This is typically done for 7 to 10 days in a row. 

Bad Odors from a Chihuahua’s Paws

Paws are often a trouble area, and since it’s so easy for a dog to reach his paws, once there is irritation here, there is often also lots of chewing. This chewing, which irritates the area and deposits saliva often exacerbates things. So, it can be an endless cycle.
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Chihuahua ear odor, large ears
Tucker, at 11 weeks old, photo courtesy of Cheri Seal
Tucker, at 11 weeks old,
photo courtesy of Cheri Seal
This said, there can be a funky odor without any other signs as such itching, swelling, or irritation. 

While there can be several things happening with the paws, if there is a bad smell that that is musty or a sour-type odor, or even like corn chips, this is often due to 1 of 2 reasons:

Poor diet – Some dogs produce an odd Frito corn chip smell from the paws. While there are several theories about why this happens, it may be linked to a dog’s diet. Dog food that has a high grain content (i.e. cheap, low-quality foods), may change a dog’s pH balance and chemical nature of the skin on the paws, which then in turn causes this area to be prone to yeast and microbial growth.   

For this reason, feeding your Chihuahua a diet low in grains, which includes one of our recommended brands like Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry for Toy Breed Dogs may help stop this sort of odor from occurring. 
Yeast/fungal infection – When a yeast or fungal infection develops, it can be hard to treat on the paw area, since the spots between the toes stay dark and moist (perfect breeding ground). 
To resolve this, you can give your Chihuahua baths with an anti-fungal shampoo and/or dip the paws in a water/shampoo mixture. We discuss these types of shampoo in the next section below. 

Chihuahuas with an All Over Body Odor

Maybe your Chihuahua looks really clean, and you may even be giving your puppy or dogs baths right on time (every 3 weeks), but there’s still an odd odor. 

There’s a few reasons why this may be happening:
1. The timing of baths. Dogs are constantly producing natural body oils. These are needed for proper moisture of the skin. However, being oils, they do not evaporate. They stay slick on the skin and need to be washed off. If not, these oils will accumulate to the point of smelling quite bad. 

It may be a greasy, musty, or sour type smell.  

You will want to give your Chihuahua a bath once every 3 weeks, using the right products (see next point). Be sure to thoroughly soak down the coat first, massage shampoo in for at least 3 minutes, reaching all areas of the body, and then rinsing it out very well (using a nozzle works best). 

2. The type of products. If your Chihuahua smells even right after a bath, chances are that you’re using the wrong products. Cheap, generic, or inferior shampoos will not contain proper cleansing agents; and if so, it won’t be washing away the oils that we spoke about in point #1 above. 
Shampoo - You’ll want to use a quality shampoo; the line of Earthbath Shampoo is great; both the oatmeal & aloe, and eucalyptus & peppermint are fantastic choices, and follow up with a really good conditioner (also see below).
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Chihuahua sleeping like a human
Yodi, photo courtesy of Olivia And Jonathan
Spritz - It can also really help to use a leave-in spritz in between baths. Dogs can always benefit from this method of freshening up, and in addition it has the added benefits of keeping both skin and coat healthy. In the summertime, using one with a sun screen is always a great idea. 
The line of Nootie Daily Spritz Pet Conditioning Sprays has some pretty awesome smells; there is warm vanilla cookie, cucumber melon, Japanese cherry blossom, and coconut lime verbena.
You apply this while brushing. Just mist the coat lightly, and then brush to distribute the product. Work in sections, so you get the whole body. 
And, if you're looking for one with sunscreen, Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Conditioner with Sunscreen is an effective one. 
3. Skin yeast infections – If your Chihuahua has a sour or musty smell and there is itching going on, with possible skin flaking, white spots on the skin, and/or oily looking skin or coat, this may be due to a yeast issue, similar to the paw problem that we covered. 
While you'll want any strange skin conditions to be diagnosed by the vet, if you know that it's fungal, an anti-fungal shampoo (see below) can help clear it up. 
Below are our recommendations for some of the products we’ve covered, that will help keep your Chihuahua smelling nice. If you do not see the images, try a refresh, and on mobile you may need to turn your screen horizontal to see all 4.

A Final Word

While dogs may never naturally smell like fresh flowers on a spring day, it’s not normal for a Chihuahua to be very stinky or have any sort of disturbing odor. So, do investigate the possible causes, to make changes where needed. 
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