Is your Yorkie having a pungent stink or odor? You are not alone. Just like any other dogs, Yorkshire Terriers have a tendency to stink if not properly taken care of.
Why do Yorkies stink? Yorkies stink due to a build-up of natural body oils and frequent skin diseases and allergies. Good grooming is necessary for this breed because perspiration can be trapped within the Yorkie’s dense fur, resulting in a bad odor. A healthy diet and better hygiene practices can help prevent your Yorkie pup from stinking.
In this article, we will do a deep dive and explain the reasons why Yorkies can smell bad. And we will share with you a few tried and tested methods on keeping them smelling good and fresh!
What Causes Yorkies To Stink?
Earlier, Yorkie owners used to think that their pups have a particular breed-specific smell. But, veterinarians contradicted the idea by saying that there is no breed-specific odor in Yorkies.
They put forward several reasons for stinking. These include certain medical conditions, sensitive skin issues, poor hygiene, and various infections. As a Yorkie owner, you need to sniff it around to figure out the possible reason for the bad odor.
These also apply to the different varieties of the traditional Yorkie, namely the teacup version, Parti Yorkie, as well as the Biewer Yorkie.
Dental Issues
Dental issues are the top reasons why your Yorkshire Terrier stinks. It occurs when plaque and tartar from the food get stuck in the teeth. The result is a bad breath that causes the little dog to stink. Yorkies are also prone to gum diseases like overgrowth. It harbors the food particles and later produces a rotten smell.
Gas
Some dog breeds have an intolerance to the ingredients in their food. Therefore, your Yorkshire Terrier may also develop an allergy to specific food ingredients and suffer flatulence. You can overcome mild issues by changing the diet after consultation with your veterinarian. However, persistent gas issues indicate some medical issues.
Atopy
Yorkie also smells like fish if the skin produces excessive oil that may be due to seasonal or food allergies. Poor diet to your canine may also cause yeast infection.
Therefore, always avoid feeding your furry companion with carbohydrate-rich and processed food. Instead, use protein-rich and unprocessed food.
Ear Infections and Anal Sacs
Your doggie may suffer ear infections due to various viruses and bacteria if it is already facing hormonal imbalance issues. Yorkies have hairy or floppy ears and are more prone to ear infections. Your canine buddy may also smell like pee due to improper functioning of anal sacs at the bottom back.
Yorkie’s Skin Conditions – Why Is My Yorkie So Greasy?
Yorkies are more delicate than other dog breeds when it comes to various skin conditions. Therefore, as a Yorkshire Terrier owner, you should always be ready to treat different skin issues to avoid stinking. The oiliness of the skin is a huge issue that requires more attention. The following are some of the most common skin conditions of this dog breed.
Seborrhea
Seborrhea is a skin condition that depends on the secretion of the sebaceous gland. Over secretion of this gland causes oily seborrhea that makes the hair greasy and produces odor while under secretion results in dry seborrhea. The underlying causes and treatment for both skin conditions are the same.
Allergies
If your pooch is not suffering from seborrhea, allergies may be the cause of greasy skin. Allergic reactions not only maintain the oiliness of the skin but also complement it. Allergies may be due to contact dermatitis. Similarly, the acids and alkalis in soaps, detergents, and other cleaning agents also cause skin allergies and increase oiliness.
Hypothyroidism And Cushing’s Syndrome
Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome are also the causes of greasy skin in Yorkies but particularly in aged dogs. Your canine will feel increased thirst and sluggishness and will gain weight during these issues.
Poor Grooming
Proper grooming of your doggie is the key to its fitness. As you know, Yorkies have long fur that needs proper brushing to ensure air passes to the skin. Also, regular brushing distributes the skin oil evenly and saves it from being greasy. Give your puppy a diet rich in Omega-3, copper, and zinc that keep skin healthy. Food deficiency of these components will increase the greasiness of the skin.
How Can I Make My Dog Smell Better Between Baths?
Have you ever thought, why does your dog smell bad after a bath? It is the most unappealing fact that lets you think twice before owning a dog. However, you can make your furry companion smell better between showers in the following ways.
Brushing Yorkies Regularly
Regular brushing is vital to remove dirt, debris, and allergens from the coat of your canine buddy and make it smell better. Also, the removal of dead or loose hair as a result of brushing reduces shedding. Brushing also distributes the skin oil and saves it from being greasy.
Wash Bedding
You can also make your dog smell better between baths by washing its bedding. If the litter is dirty and smelly, the dirt and bad odor will transfer back once the dog sleeps on it. Therefore, always wash the bed, blanket, and even inside the cushion to remove body oils that attract dirt. It will also remove bacteria that cause Yorkies to smell.
Plan your laundry schedule with the sleeping cycle of your Yorkies so that they will always have a clean and fresh bed whenever they need to get some rest and replenish their energies.
Use The Best Shampoo For Yorkies Between Baths
Another way to make your dog smell better between baths is to use the best dog shampoo for your Yorkies. It will not only remove the bad odor but will also make it easy to brush the hair and remove dead hairs easily.
There are many dog shampoos available in the market but always prefer using Pawfume dog shampoo and conditioner available in its fruity Blue Ribbon fragrance. It has a hypoallergenic formula ideal for Yorkie’s delicate skin. Ensure to bathe your canine once every 2 to 3 weeks.
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Healthy Diet And Good Oral Care
Last but not the least, the best way to keep your dog smell better is to maintain a healthy diet and provide your furry friend with proper oral care. A healthy diet will ensure the appropriate digestion of the food and relieve lousy odor while oral care will help you treat gums, tartars, and plaques timely to remove bad breath.
We personally recommend Ollie for its limited ingredients formula that presents your Yorkie only the best and necessary nutrients they need. It eliminates junk filler ingredients that large corporate brands usually use to make up for the weight at the expense of your Yorkie’s health.
Pet Plate, an alternate dog food brand, also does delivery right to your doorstep so you can get your dear Yorkie’s awesome meals without having to leave your house. The meals are both gluten- and grain-free.
How Do You Clean A Yorkie’s Face, Eyes And Teeth?
Yorkies are a delicate dog breed that is prone to various health issues. As an owner, you will always have to pay attention to the health and diet of your pet. Cleaning the face, eyes, and teeth is the key to good health. However, most of the owners are unaware of the ways of cleaning these vital body parts.
Cleaning Yorkie’s Face
Yorkies are the dog breed known for their long hairs on the body, face, and around the eyes. Therefore, you need to clean its face regularly so that food particles, moisture, and other eatables may not junk on the front and cause stinking.
Veterinarians recommend using facial wipes to clean the face. However, using facial wipes is beneficial only if you trim the long fur. Let your dog eat kibble with no artificial coloring and allergenic ingredients.
Always give your canine the filtered water in stainless steel or ceramic pot. Avoid using plastic material.
The experts recommend using facial wipes once a day. However, for better health, always use wipes after every meal.
Cleaning Yorkie’s Eyes
The eyes are the part of the body that impacts the overall quality of life, especially in dogs. Yorkies are sensitive too because they can develop several eye conditions. Carelessness in this regard may lead to blindness.
You can flush the eyes with saline eye rinse after trimming the hair around them. Use natural wipes to clean the eyes regularly to remove any junk around these. Veterinarians also recommend using DIY cleaning solutions.
Cleaning Yorkie’s Teeth
Dental health is vital for your pups’ wellness and performance. Yorkies are more prone to dental issues as compared to other dog breeds. However, you can clean your furry companion’s teeth with the help of brushing, utilizing dental chews, and giving it quality food.
How Do You Deodorize A Yorkie?
Yorkies, the toy group dogs, are small and energetic dogs that attract a lot of interest due to glossy coats. The long fur on its body makes it stink if left unattended. Therefore, most of the owners pay attention to deodorize their pets. If you own a Yorkie, you can disinfect it by using the following products.
Deodorant Sprays
You can overcome the stink by using Seamus Cherry Blossom Pet Daily Spritz Dog Spray that has home-grade fragrances to make your wet dog feel like a damp dog got into your bottle. It is a mild water-based formula that does not have allergenic impacts on your pet. The company has used Pharmasome technology to make it smell like a Japanese cherry blossom and last for days.
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Dog Wipes
Cleanliness of the Yorkie’s is necessary for deodorizing these pets. Therefore, Veterinarians recommend using grooming wipes to remove dirt and odor from paws and other body parts.
Pogi’s Grooming Wipes offer large and thick wipes that are enough for even large size dogs. The company has used 100% sustainably harvested bamboo fiber to make it long-lasting. On top of that, it is also hypoallergenic which is imperative for Yorkies with allergies.
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Lavender Essential Oil
You cannot deodorize your canine unless you use a fragrant oil. And what better flavor than lavender essential oil? Lavender is extremely effective against fleas and ticks and has a bonus calming effect that would prove useful for Yorkies who are prone to separation anxiety.
Most dog owners recommend using Healing Solutions Lavender Essential Oil because of its fantastic smell. This lavender essential oil has passed pure and rigorous quality testing for skin treatment to become the top choice of pet owners. Healing Solution even offers a 100% refund if you are not satisfied with the quality of the oil.
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Related Questions
Why Do Yorkies Have Bad Breaths? Yorkies have bad breath because they have small jaws and, therefore, crowded teeth that you cannot clean even with a brush. Food particles, plaque, and calculus get stuck in the teeth and cause bad breath. Yorkies are also prone to gum diseases like human beings, and it, if left unattended, causes bad breath.
How Do You Cure A Stinky Yorkie? Sometimes, poor diet is the cause behind stinky dogs. If you feel it is the culprit, you can cure stinky Yorkie by changing the diet. Feed your pup food with different ingredients than earlier you were feeding. You can also consult your veterinarian for a suggestion of dog food formula to avoid a bad smell.
What Can I Spray On My Stinky Dog? You can spray deodorizing spray to get rid of stinky dogs. Many doggie deodorant sprays are available in the market. Most veterinarians recommend using lavender and lemon scents to relieve stink. Baking soda also has deodorizing effects, and you can use it as a dry shampoo. There are many DIY techniques to get rid of bad smells.
