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All the owners and our four-legged friends are always happy about spring, long days, warm weather and excursions. But we are a little less happy about the April rain, which makes our dogs really stinky, and in some dogs also increases the possibility of inflammation of skin folds. You can read more about the smell of a wet dog and the problems associated with skin folds below.
Microorganisms are completely normal inhabitants of the skin. This includes bacteria, viruses and yeasts, a special type of fungus. These have a symbiotic relationship with the host and are essential for the normal functioning of the skin. They also participate in establishing immunity and preventing the colonization of pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms on the skin. The number of microorganisms and species vary from individual to individual. Different parts of the body also have different microflora. We are usually not aware that when we go for a walk with a puppy, we even take a “horde” of microorganisms with us. We are talking about 350-16,000 microorganisms / cm2, probably even more.
Microorganisms produce by-products (volatile organic compounds). Different compounds have different types of odors, but not all of them stink and are intense. In a dry environment, these by-products usually do not have a specific or very bad odor. Why does a wet dog stink so much you wonder? Because the concentration of some compounds increases when the dog is wet, these are usually smelly. When water evaporates from a wet dog, the smell spreads more easily to our nose. Because the air is humid, it can absorb a higher concentration of these molecules and the smell is therefore even more intense. The specific smell of a wet dog is thus a combination of various compounds produced by microorganisms.
Humid, warm and dark environment is most suitable for the growth and reproduction of microorganisms, so the smell is even worse in summer. When choosing shampoos and conditioners, it is important to choose as natural as possible, with as few chemicals as possible, as they can damage the skin’s epidermis, and at the same time affect the microflora, which is even more important for the skin.
Dogs with long hair, of course, have a stronger smell, as under their coat is an ideal place for the multiplication of microorganisms, and the hair dries for a longer time. Moisture can also be retained in body folds.
SKIN FOLDS
Today we already know quite a few breeds that have enchanted people with cute wrinkles or folds (French bulldogs, boxers, shar pei…). But if we do not take care of proper hygiene, the skin in these places can also become inflamed: it is red, moist and stinks.
This can be avoided if we clean folds regularly and take care of the skin and hair. When bathing a dog, it is recommended to use a hypoallergenic shampoo in order not to irritate the skin even further. We also wash the area of skin folds with shampoo. When we finish bathing, we need to dry the areas of skin folds as much as possible. Regular brushing also makes sense, as it removes all dead hair.
In care, we can use Arava’s hypoallergenic shampoo made from vegetable oils, without chemicals and pesticides. It has the right pH and therefore does not irritate or dry out the skin.
For everyday use, Arava’s cleansing wipes for paws and body care, which have a mild antiseptic effect, will be of great help.