Doggie Deodorant by Intern Poomba
Hey, Pet Krewe Friends! Poomba here, the newest member of the Intern Gang, and I’ve got a confession to make: I like to roll in poop. There. I said it. Goose poop, horse poop, you name it! Fewer things in life make me happier than that special scent coating my body. I also have paws that smell like corn chips and my human makes a scary face every time he catches a whiff of my breath. They wash me pretty regularly, but the result is always the same. What can I say? I have a natural canine fragrance that makes me who I am. The truth is, not all humans care for it. As such, here are a few tips to keep your own fur baby’s funk to a minimum.
- Feed us quality food!
Grain- and soy-free food tends to be a bit more expensive, but it is worth it! Going grain-free improves our gut health, energy level, and reduces bad breath and flatulence. We are what we eat, so let’s make sure it’s healthy.
2. Use dog or baby wipes.
Gentle on our skin, these wipes can help deodorize us. Don’t use them around the eyes, however. You can also use white vinegar and water mixture if you run out of wipes.
3. Sprinkle us with baking soda or cornstarch.
If you don't have time for a full-on rubber ducky wet bath, you can just sprinkle some of this magic dust on our coats and then rub it down to their skin. We love this kind of massage. Fun fact, if you ever accidentally cut one of our paw-nails too short, you can use cornstarch to help stop the bleeding.
4. Keep us brushed.
A good brushing is one of the finer things in life. It’s a great way for puppy-person bonding, and it’s good for our skin and coat because it removes dirt and dander. This also reduces the stink-factor and has the added benefit of keeping fur clumps off of your car-seat, furniture, bed and floors.
5. Wash our bedding regularly.
If a dog spends a lot of time on his bed or on a throw on the couch, it collects his doggie smell, and he will pick up the smell when he lies down. You may not notice it, but anyone who comes to your home will. Wash and dry your dog’s bedding routinely, and you will reduce unwanted smells from the house and your puppy in repose.
6. Keep our teeth and ears clean.
If you haven’t been brushing your doggo’s teeth, it’s time to start. It only takes a few minutes to give our teeth a good brushing, and beef and poultry-flavored puppy toothpastes is widely available. Dental hygiene prevents gum disease, cavities, and keeps our breath *relatively* fresh. Don’t forget out ears! Whether upright or floppy, our ears can become petri dishes for all sorts of smelly things. Use cotton balls (NOT swabs) with mineral oil or baby oil to gently clean each ear. It was a little weird at first, but now whenever we see one critter in this house get a cleaning, the rest of us line up for our own!
We may never smell like fresh petunias, but these tips will help keep our doggie odor to a minimum.
Peace & Paws,
Poomba the Fragrant