A rather weird question, ain’t it???
Yes, just like every other dog breed, Cocker Spaniels also have their own doggy smell. No canine in the world smells all flower and good when kept unclean, and thus if you want to avoid the typical dog smell, keeping the pups clean is the best choice.
But, given the same reason, some dog breeds including Cocker Spaniels may have a much stronger odour that earns them the nickname of some of the ‘smelliest dog breeds’ in the world. However, as we said, not every pup has the same characteristic and hence categorising them all in the same category is never fair.
Table of Contents
- 1 Why do Cocker Spaniels smell?
- 2 What are the body parts that are mostly prone to smells?
- 3 Should I follow any home remedy to get rid of my Cocker Spaniel’s smell?
- 4 Do Cocker Spaniels need higher maintenance?
- 5 Do I need to send my Cocker Spaniel to professional groomers?
- 6 How many times should I take them to an experienced groomer?
Why do Cocker Spaniels smell?
The unique smell in Spaniels is all thanks to their sebaceous glands that are located under their skin and mostly under their paws, near their neck, chin, rump and tail area. These oil glands create an oily secretion called sebum which passes into their hair follicles, offering them their unique smell as well as nourishment to their coat.
However, apart from that there are also multiple factors that could contribute to their smelling. These include:
- Unhygienic living conditions
- Prolonged outdoor stay
- Skin conditions
- Improper bath times
Partially, the way your Spaniel smells can also be blamed on their feeding regime. Some food items or components may induce greater sebum secretion, thereby leading to a much stronger odour coming from their bodies. For this, changing into a new feed type (preferably a low-carbohydrate and protein-rich feed) after a vet’s consultation can work better.
What are the body parts that are mostly prone to smells?
Mouth
Pet parents often complain about their Spaniel’s mouth smelling like a gutter, and hence if you are experiencing the same problem, the most common cause might be tartar buildup. Depending upon the food they eat, and how often their teeth are brushed, the smell can be anywhere near tolerable to something that will give the chills for days.
So, the next time your pooch’s face smells like rotten fish, make sure to give their teeth and gums a thorough check. While most of the buildup will be fairly easy to remove, you might need to wet the hardened ones before removing them. If the case still persists, it can be a case of periodontal disease and hence you will need to consult with a vet.
Ears
Now just like their mouth, covered by voluminous fluffy layers of fur, a Spaniel’s ears might be the next smelliest thing on their little bodies. Earwax is a very smelly yet healthy biological waste that’s produced naturally by all creatures. And the only thing to prevent their smell is to ensure a regular cleaning through soft cotton buds.
However, when cleaning never put too much pressure as it can wreck their ear drums and lead to more serious consequences. A ruptured eardrum can make your dog go deaf for life, and no pet parent wants that. Many-a-times the smell can be due to things sticking on to their long ear ends which is cleanable by applying a good wash.
But if you think it’s something else, like ear infections, running them through necessary tests to find the underlying cause is a must.
Skin
Just as mentioned above, if the smell is rather strong, your pooch might be suffering from bacterial, fungal or yeast related skin infections. These microbes infect their host bodies, causing them to scratch hyper extensively which leads to skin exposure, sepsis, and a resulting bad smell. The same is also possible if they are prone to skin allergies or have had a good day rolling in muddy puddles or other gross areas.
The best solution in this case will be to give them a good, deep-cleansing bath or use vet-prescribed topical creams, shampoo solutions on to the breakout. Always remember, keeping them as clean as possible is the best way to prevent these risks and hence never ignore their cleaning for long. Similarly, keeping their living area clean is also a must.
Bottom
Finally, although bottoms never smell good, an exceptionally foul smelling bottom is another thing. An unexpressed anal gland causes the secretion of a sticky mucus from their rear ends, which is not only yucky but is also prone to other severe health conditions. The secretion has a very pungent, rotten smell and is uncomfortable to your Spaniel too.
Expressing an anal gland happens naturally as the poo descends from their bottoms. But sometimes due to the soft texture, the glands may not get fully expressed or blocked due to other factors, thereby resulting in the gross smell. In these cases, you will need to manually empty their anal glands by squeezing your Cocker Spaniel’s anal sacs. Or else, you can always resort to a professional’s help. But remember, it can get pretty expensive.
Should I follow any home remedy to get rid of my Cocker Spaniel’s smell?
NO!!!
Some things are best left to professionals and hence staying away from these so-called ‘cure-all’ natural remedies is the best choice. Based upon their underlying conditions, your vet will always suggest the best choices and hence waiting for their resolutions is definitely the better option.
Do Cocker Spaniels need higher maintenance?
To be frank, Cocker Spaniels, given their tremendous amounts of fur and a water resistant, thick, wavy coat need higher maintenance and grooming. Thus as their parent you will be needed to regularly comb and rake through their fur to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells and matting. The rake should go deep under their thick fur coat to give them a deep, relaxing comb through.
They will also require regular bath-times, as they love digging and rolling on dirt. Moreover, even when kept confined to a house, their long fur can easily pick up dust from the ground and get mixed up with their body oils, forming a sticky mess up.
When bathing them, make sure to go over all their corners, be it their fluffy ears, genitals, underarms or under the paw. In the end, give them a nice clean brushing, trim their nails, shave off their paws, clean their ears, and voila, you have your beautiful smelling regal Cocker Spaniel back into their previous form.
Maintaining a Spaniel is surely a turdy task but never impossible. With the right dedication and methods, you can efficiently get rid of the doggy smell and save yourself from first-hand embarrassment in front of your guests or family.
Do I need to send my Cocker Spaniel to professional groomers?
Although it’s not compulsory, a professionally groomed appearance is something that can never be achieved within the home. You will need to have the required knowledge and set of professional grooming tools for the cause, and hence rather than wasting thousands of bucks for this endeavour, getting your pooch to a professional groomer may prove to be cheaper.
There you can choose to go with their regular grooming services or book some additional facilities, as you deem necessary.
How many times should I take them to an experienced groomer?
Well, that is a purely personal choice. Based upon how much money you are ready to invest to get your Cocker Spaniel all spick-and-span, you can visit the canine groomer every month or a few times in a year.
The same also depends upon the area your pooch stays in, their daily activities, and other necessary conditions.
If you have any more questions regarding this topic, don’t forget to mention your queries in our comment section below. For more interesting topics like these, subscribe to our mailing list at spanieldogs.com.
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