Do Bichons Frises Smell?

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Do Bichons Frises Smell?Do you have a smelly bichon frise? Having a dog means that your own house will have a specific scent. While the odor may be distinct, it should not be offensive.

Bichons frises usually do not have a problem with how they smell. On the other hand, if yours stinks, it’s time to examine your dog more closely to determine what’s causing the odor. There are numerous possibilities as to what might be causing your bichon frise to smell excessively.

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Do Bichons Frises Smell?

Bichons Frises typically do not smell. In fact, a survey was conducted, and bichon frise owners were polled to see if they thought their pets were smelly. While 33% of the pet owners said they were occasionally stinky, as much as 67% said they were not stinky at all.

However, this doesn’t mean that if you have a bichon frise, they won’t ever become stinky. Naturally, dogs will pick up smells all the time because they’re always out rolling around and playing and chewing on things. It’s just unavoidable for them to pick up scents, especially outdoors.

Does the Bichon Frise Smell More Than Other Breeds?

Because of their clean nature, bichons frises typically have little to no odor unless they:

  • Get into something foul-smelling
  • Are poorly groomed
  • Have health issues

Even then, they don’t have a more pungent odor than other dogs. In fact, several dogs naturally smell more strongly than bichons frises, including basset hounds, English bulldogs, and beagle hounds.

Do You Need to Take Your Bichon Frise to the Vet If It Smells?

Just because your bichon frise stinks doesn’t mean you have to rush them to the vet right away. While the smell may be alarming, especially for new bichon frise owners, examining your pet first will most likely lead you to the source of the odor. In many cases, you don’t need a veterinary degree to figure out what’s causing the problem and how to solve it.

Typically, the reason your pet smells excessively is that they are in desperate need of grooming or a bath. Perhaps they have rolled in or stepped on something foul by mistake. Furthermore, some bichons can be prone to excessive chewing, so it’s possible that they chewed something that caused them to stink. In that case, your bichon frise is likely to have bad breath too.

If, after a thorough inspection of your pet’s cleanliness, you are still unable to identify the source of the odor, it is probably time to consult with your veterinarian. Unfortunately, some medical conditions can cause them to smell, and this a sign that they require medical attention.

7 Reasons Your Bichon Frise Might Smell Excessively

There are many possible reasons why your bichon frise might smell excessively. While some of the reasons can be quite obvious, others might need a veterinarian to examine the causes of the smell. Below are the most common reasons why your bichon frise might smell excessively.

1. Coat

Bichons frises have thick undercoats with curly topcoats that need a lot of care. Allowing mats to form on any part of your bichon frise’s body can trap moisture, resulting in mildew and bacteria growth.

Additionally, the way a bichon frise sheds is quite unique. Rather than falling to the ground, the hair becomes trapped in the undercoat. Therefore, if the coat is unkempt and old shed hair is stuck in the undercoat, it can cause a foul odor to emanate from your pet.

To keep your bichon frise’s skin and coat in good shape, they must be groomed on a consistent and regular basis. Furthermore, by frequently grooming them, matting on their coats can be avoided. You can also keep objects from being stuck in their coats for too long, causing them to stink.

2. Dental Hygiene

Like many other breeds of dogs, a bichon frise’s teeth require routine and consistent cleaning. Even if they do not eat anything that produces a bad odor, poor hygiene will still result in a foul odor emanating from your pet. In addition, as plaque and tartar accumulate, you will notice an unpleasant smell to come from your dog, particularly around the mouth area.

Furthermore, smaller dog breeds, such as bichon frises, are prone to dental issues. This is because those small teeth have a proclivity for not aligning properly. As a result, tartar accumulation is more likely.

Begin practicing dental hygiene as soon as possible to minimize issues. Brushing and cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly will help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Additionally, you should bring them in for annual dental checkups to ensure that their teeth and gums are healthy.

3. Chewing

Bichon frises thrive in human company and become agitated when left alone for extended periods. They tend to chew on things excessively due to their anxiety. As a result of their constant chewing, they may contact objects that are offensive to humans, making them even more odorous.

Ensure that your pet receives daily exercise. Excess energy must be expended to reduce obsessive activities such as chewing.

4. Allergies

Certain seasons and foods can trigger your dog’s allergies, especially if they have some form of atopy or smelly “hot spot.” Their skin can become inflamed due to an allergic reaction to these allergens. This leads to excessive oil production on their skin, which frequently emits a musty odor.

If you are aware of any allergies your bichon frise might have, avoid foods that trigger the intolerances. But keep in mind that 90% of allergies are in your bichon’s environment, such as pollen or dust mites. Additionally, consult your veterinarian regarding giving them allergy medications.

5. Diet

An unbalanced diet can contribute to your dog’s odor, leading to a yeast infection. It is most commonly caused by a diet too high in processed food and carbohydrates. Consequently, the dog may pass a lot of gas because of this.

Providing your bichon frise with nutritious food is essential. Foods too heavy in carbs (over 40%) and processed food should be avoided. So should many types of human food.

6. Anal Sacs

Dogs can smell each other’s rear ends because they have two tiny scent sacs on their bottoms. If they are impacted, the dog will be in pain, and a foul-smelling secretion will be released onto their fur or coat. You might notice your dog scooting or dragging his bottom on the ground because of this issue.

Additionally, bichons frises have been known to have difficulty excreting their anal glands on their own. This issue is quite common for smaller dog breeds. When this happens, a strong odor can develop if the glands are clogged and overburdened with waste products. A high-fiber diet may be necessary to help this problem

Dog owners, veterinarians, and their pets all have to endure the unpleasant task of expressing or unblocking the gland.

7. Ear Infections

Dogs with droopy ears like the bichon frise and hair growing in their ear canals are more likely to get ear infections. Because of this, bichons frises are prone to ear infections. Unfortunately, since their ears are covered in fur, it is difficult to detect whether they are suffering from an infection that produces an unpleasant odor.

To avoid ear infections, thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after bathing or swimming. Regularly cleaning and drying the ears should be part of your grooming routine.

8. Housetraining

When it comes to training, bichon frises excel because of their eagerness to please their owners. However, they are sometimes a bit stubborn and challenging to train when it comes to house training. Because of this, they may be peeing and pooping in places you are unaware of, and you may not discover the spot until it is too late.

Successful training necessitates the owner’s consistency, commitment, and positive reinforcement as with any dog. Fortunately, bichons frises are trainable, and they will ultimately learn and prevent accidents if you don’t give up on them.

9. Medical Issues

Some bichon frises have health difficulties, such as renal and liver failure, that can occur from time to time. Because they make it harder for food to be broken down and processed, these problems can cause your bichon frise to smell. In addition, when kidney and liver function is impaired, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and frequent urination.

Consult your pet’s veterinarian right away if any of these signs appear in them.

How to Fix Your Bichon Frise’s Excessive Smell

Having a smelly dog can be stressful and frustrating. You’ll dread being around your dog, and you won’t want them in your house for fear of the odors. Fortunately, there are various ways and methods available to help you fix the smell of your bichon frise:

  • Bichon frises should be brushed daily, if not more frequently. Brushing can help remove loose fur, keep debris and bacteria from matting, and check for skin issues.
  • Bathe once a month to once every six weeks. Dogs that are bathed too seldom are more prone to grow smelly in between baths.
  • Brush your bichon frise’s teeth. Additionally, you can use dental bones and water additives to fight plaque.
  • Maintain a regular cleaning program for your home to aid in the prevention of allergens that may cause your dog’s allergies.
  • Make certain that your dog gets enough exercise.
  • Feed your dog a balanced diet.

Summary

Pet parents often get used to doggy stench. So, if you want a dog that doesn’t have a strong odor, the bichon frise is an excellent choice. Despite their natural scent, this breed isn’t particularly prone to stink. Suppose they do have a stinky odor. In that case, it is usually the result of a minor problem that may be easily remedied.

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