Huskies are known to be “clean” dogs.
They don’t usually have the doggy smell that other canines have.
But there are days when their odor can become unpleasant.
And it’s up to us to keep them smelling good.
Keep reading to discover:
- Why your Husky smell even after taking a bath.
- How the food they eat can affect the way they smell.
- Whether their odor is caused by an underlying condition.
- 13 quick and effective ways to keep them smelling good.
- And a lot more…
Why does my Husky smell (even after a bath)?
Your Husky smells even after taking a bath because of dirt that got stuck in their coat. It can also be due to skin infections, dental problems, or an underlying health condition. A yeast infection or an uncleaned paw could also be the cause of their bad smell.
13 ways to keep your Husky smelling good
#1: Avoid giving them too many baths
How many times do you give your Husky a bath? Do you do it once or twice a week?
If you do, it may not be so good for their skin.
It’s a common misconception among dog parents to regularly bathe their pups.
I know you only want to keep them clean. But this can actually have reverse effects.
Overbathing will strip too much oil from their skin.
And when this happens, their skin can become dry and irritated.
Which will make them more at risk of fungal infections.
AKC mentions that those with thick double coats do not require as many baths as others.
And knowing that Huskies have double coats, it’s better to limit their bathing schedule.
Plus, your Husky can self-groom. The same as cats, they know how to clean themselves.
So doing it once every 3 months is good enough. Some even only bathe them twice or thrice a year.
Knowing how to properly give them a bath is also necessary.
Here are steps you can follow:
- Brush their coat before giving a bath.
- Ensure that the water is at a mild temperature (It shouldn’t be too hot or too cold).
- Put them into the shower area (Make this a positive experience for them).
- Spray their fur with water and soak it with shampoo.
- Rinse them thoroughly, making sure that no residue is left behind.
- Dry them well using towels or a hairdryer.
It’s also important to use the right kind of shampoo. A fragrant scent will keep them smelling good too.
And don’t make the mistake of using the ones that are meant for humans.
Instead, use a high-quality dog shampoo that won’t strip their natural oils.
#2: Brush their fur regularly
As mentioned, Huskies have double coats. Their undercoat helps in keeping foreign objects away from their skin.
But sometimes, debris or grime may still get stuck on them. This can especially happen when they’re exploring.
If this is left for too long, they will start to smell. And the best way to remove this is to brush them.
Doing this won’t only take out any dirt, but will also help loose fur to come out.
This will also be a great bonding experience for you and your pooch.
And since Huskies shed a lot, regularly brushing them is a must.
In case you didn’t know, they shed to help them cope with warm temperatures.
This is also called “blowing their coat”. It usually occurs twice a year and lasts for at least 3 to 5 weeks.
Shedding can be troublesome if you don’t like fur spreading everywhere around your home.
Fortunately, it can be easily managed. Here are tips you can do to prepare for shedding season:
- Never shave their coat.
- Use deshedding shampoo.
- Try using an undercoat rake to remove dead fur.
- Increase their water intake to avoid skin dehydration.
- Untangle and smoothen their fur with a paddle brush.
#3: Consider their diet
Did you know that your pup’s diet can cause them to smell bad?
Since Huskies have sensitive stomachs, a poor diet can cause gastrointestinal problems.
Flatulence is one of those that can make them smell stinky. It’s a condition where dogs have excess gas.
It’s mainly caused by eating spoiled or spicy food. Dairy products and a change in diet can also cause this.
PetMD mentions the following signs to watch out for:
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Weight loss.
- Rumbling stomach.
- Change in appetite.
When you notice any of these signs, check with your vet for proper treatment.
An allergic reaction to food could also make them smell.
According to AKC, it can cause skin inflammation that produces a moldy odor.
The common food allergens in dogs are:
- Soy.
- Egg.
- Corn.
- Beef.
- Dairy.
- Lamb.
- Wheat.
- Chicken.
Consider talking to your vet for the right diet you can provide for your pooch.
Also, check the table below on how to prevent stomach problems:
| Do’s | Dont’s |
| Keep their diet simple. | Avoid feeding table scraps. |
| Provide high-quality dog food. | Don’t let them eat too much grass. |
| Create a consistent feeding routine. | Don’t leave spoiled food where they can reach. |
#4: Take care of their oral hygiene
Taking care of your Husky’s oral hygiene will also keep them smelling good.
Dental care is a vital part of keeping them healthy. And neglecting it will cause problems in the future.
That’s why brushing their teeth regularly is important. You can also give them dental chews to prevent tartar buildup.
Research even proved that brushing can reduce oral bacteria by 70%. While dental chews can help lessen it by 54%.
Dogs can also be gross sometimes that they’ll eat garbage or other things they shouldn’t consume.
This can cause them to have bad breath. But it can also be due to a number of things.
AKC says that the following are the common reasons for bad breathe:
- Diabetes.
- Gum disease.
- Liver disease.
- Kidney disease.
To know which of these makes their mouth smell, go to your vet for a diagnosis.
#5: Clean their bums
Making sure your fluffy friend’s cute bum is clean will also keep their scent pleasant.
When their poop is runny, it can get caught in their bum area.
And if not noticed, will leave a foul smell.
What you can do is always check their bum area to make sure nothing is stuck.
If there are any remains, you can use pet wipes to clean them off.
But be careful as this can be a sensitive area for your Husky.
Another reason for a stinky bum is a disease called anal sacs.
According to VCA, this is common among dogs.
The sacs become plugged and will lead to bacterial infection.
This in turn produces a bad smell.
You may also notice them scooting their butt when they have this.
When this happens, a visit to a vet is what you should do.
You may also wonder: Why does my dog smell like ammonia?
#6: Keep their beddings clean
Your Husky will also stay fresh if they rest in a clean bedding area.
If you notice an unpleasant smell in their bed, it’s time to wash those sheets.
Doing this is a good way to get rid of germs.
And it can also make your Husky much more comfortable while they sleep.
It’s advisable to wash their beddings every two weeks.
The water to be used should also be at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60°C).
This will help in killing bacteria and prevent your pooch from getting sick.
Here are 5 easy steps to keep their bed clean:
Step 1: Vacuum their bed first
Vacuuming will remove the extra dirt. And will also help in extracting eggs from fleas that might be staying in their bed.
Step 2: Remove any stain
Use spot removers to dissolve the stains. But make sure that what you use is safe for your Husky.
Step 3: Wash their bed accordingly
If washing by hand, add a 1:1 mix of pet-friendly detergent and apple cider together. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
And if using a washing machine, ensure that it’s set to the highest temperature. You can also add baking soda to the wash.
Step 4: Dry their bed properly
Once the bed is rinsed thoroughly, dry it outside. Place it in direct sunlight to eliminate bacteria.
The bed should also be completely dried out before letting your pooch use it.
Step 5: Keep their area clean even after washing
Other stuff that is placed in their resting area should be regularly cleaned.
It’s also a good idea to sweep or vacuum their area. This will keep dust away.
#7: Wipe their paws
When we go on walks with our Husky, dirt will likely accumulate in their paws.
Their pads come into contact with different kinds of surfaces. And it could sometimes lead to dry skin or irritation.
So cleaning their paws after going outdoors is something we should do.
Making this part of your routine will prevent stinky canine feet.
An easy way to do this is to use dog wipes. Plus, it’s easy to carry around when you’re going on walks.
If you think their paws are too dirty, it would be better to wash them thoroughly with dog soap and water.
Also, always check between their paws for any debris that may irritate their toes.
This is also a chance to inspect if they have any wounds in their pad.
Do this gently as some Huskies may not like being touched there.
If they have cuts or cracks in their paws, first aid should be applied.
VCA recommends doing the following steps:
- Disinfect the wound by rinsing it with an antibacterial soap.
- If it’s bleeding, apply pressure and control it using a towel.
- Cover the affected area by using a bandage (change it daily).
- Make sure to clean it regularly by spraying it with a wound solution.
To make sure there are no underlying issues, bring them to the vet for further examination.
There are also a variety of items that can help protect your pup’s paws.
These are:
- Dog booties.
- Paw cleaner mat.
- Paw disinfectant spray.
- Microfiber paw towel mitt.
Interesting fact: Did you know that 81% of assistance dogs are refused entry to public places? Hygiene reasons are often the cause.
Because of this, a study proved that a dog’s paw is actually cleaner than human shoes.
#8: Examine their ears
Checking your Husky’s ear for any infections or wax build-up will prevent it from smelling bad.
When you notice them shaking their head more than usual, it may be time for a cleaning.
But take note that you shouldn’t overclean their ears. Doing so will cause irritation.
According to PetMD, a dog’s ear should only be cleaned when:
- They went for a swim.
- Their ears are visibly dirty.
- A vet advised you to do so.
If they need cleaning, here are 5 simple steps to follow:
- Use an ear cleaner that has been approved by a vet.
- Gently fill your Husky’s ear with the solution.
- Massage the base of their ear.
- Allow them to shake their head.
- Wipe away any excess wax or dirt from their ear.
Note: Homemade solutions and alcohol should not be used for ear cleaning.
Reading tip: 13 Weird Reasons Why Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Ears
#9: Get them professionally groomed
If you’re a busy fur parent, you might need the help of a professional groomer.
This can be very helpful since they know how to properly groom your Husky.
This includes brushing and bathing them. They will also trim your pup’s hair and nails.
They can also help in deshedding your Husky’s fluff.
Aside from these, they also have the right kind of grooming tools. And they use products that are safe for dogs.
They can also take care of all the icky stuff you prefer not to do. Like removing ticks and fleas.
Another advantage of going to a groomer is that they know how to handle different kinds of dogs.
And since Huskies can be stubborn, they’ll know how to handle them safely.
Just look at this hilarious video of a Husky throwing a tantrum while being groomed:
#10: Keep their coat dry
Due to the Husky’s double coat, they should be kept dry as much as possible.
Trapped moisture in their fur can lead to hot spots and yeast infections.
Both of these could make your pooch smell foul.
Hot spots are a common skin infection in dogs during the summer season.
They often appear as small red spots. AKC says that the symptoms of this are:
- Redness.
- Swelling.
- Itchiness.
- Hair loss.
- Scaly skin.
- Crusted scabs.
On the other hand, dogs are more prone to yeast infection during allergy season.
Your Husky could also get this if they have been recently taking medications.
The most affected areas are the skin, paws, and ears.
Some signs of this condition are:
- Licking.
- Swelling.
- Redness.
- Flaky skin.
- Scratching.
- Greasy coat.
Once you notice they have any of these conditions, the first thing you should do is consult your vet.
Both yeast infections and hot spots can be prevented by keeping your pooch dry.
Learn more: 7 Weird Reasons Why Dogs Scratch Themselves + 5 Solutions
#11: Mind where they play
Huskies are such adventurous furballs. They love exploring and running around.
They also love to dig. That’s why we should keep an eye on them when they’re outside.
Who knows what they can find when they’re left unattended.
They may find poop or dead animals. They might even roll into dirty mud or trash.
You wouldn’t want any of these getting stuck into their coats or even their mouth.
These won’t only leave a bad smell but could also harm them.
That’s why monitoring them is important. It will help avoid these unwanted situations.
Huskies also have the tendency to run away.
So if you want them to freely explore, you need to first teach them how to be obedient.
Here are tips you can apply while training them:
- Be consistent.
- Keep them socialized.
- Reward good behavior.
- Use simple one-word commands.
#12: Check for skin infections
Your Husky will keep smelling good if they have healthy skin.
Most skin infections produce a foul-smelling odor. This is why their skin should be checked.
Paying attention to skin problems can also help indicate underlying health conditions.
It’s also not a good idea to leave it untreated as it may become a serious problem in the long run.
Signs that your pooch has a skin infection include:
- Bumps.
- Lumps.
- Rashes.
- Dry Skin.
- Redness.
- Dandruff.
- Hair Loss.
- Skin sores.
Make sure to check them regularly so you can spot the signs early.
The most common canine skin conditions to look out for are:
- Tick.
- Fleas.
- Lupus.
- Mange.
- Allergies.
- Ringworm.
- Inflamed hair follicles.
Experts say that Huskies are prone to a skin condition called zinc responsive dermatosis.
This happens when they lack zinc in their diet. It can also be because of stress, heat, or abdominal disease.
I’m sure by now you know what to do if you suspect they have any of the mentioned skin conditions.
(In case you forgot: Consult your vet for advice.)
#13: Regularly take them to the vet
You’re probably wondering how regular checkups can keep your Husky smelling good.
In case you didn’t know, there are canine diseases that can cause them to smell stinky.
Some of these are:
- UTI.
- Diabetes.
- Parvovirus.
- Oral cancer.
- Kidney failure.
- Dental disease.
It won’t always be easy to distinguish the signs of these conditions in our dogs.
That’s why it’s important to visit your vet. They can help in identifying early signs of diseases.
The earlier the disease is detected, the earlier it can also be treated.