Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish?

Everyone who’s owned a dog knows they have a characteristic smell – some would describe it as ‘warm sunshine’ while others would say it’s more like ‘corn chips’.

While the true answer remains up for debate, one thing is for sure; it’s something we learn to embrace about our dogs.

There’s just one exception. Fish.

If you snuggle your pup one day and notice a fishy smell coming from their body, it may be time to schedule a vet visit as it could indicate some potential health issues.

4 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Smells Like Fish

1. Anal Gland Issues

Dogs have anal glands near the base of their tails, which produce a horribly smelly liquid. While it’s pungent to us, however, it serves as an important communication signal between dogs.

That’s one of the reasons why dogs sniff each other’s butts; it’s a way for them to get to know each other

As smelly as the secretions may be, however, they usually go unnoticed as the glands are emptied every time they defecate.

If your dog isn’t able to express his glands properly during potty time, however, that’s when you start to run into problems. You may notice your dog scooting his butt on the floor as well as a strong fishy odor – one that will make you wonder how something so cute can create something so deadly.

The good news is you can easily fix the problem by having the anal glands expressed, ideally by a vet. They will be able to check for infection and will also be able to provide other types of treatment, if necessary.

2. Dental Issues

Proper dental hygiene is just as important for dogs as it is for us. Without proper care, they can develop gum infections, abscesses, and periodontal disease, all of which can lead to a fishy odor (not to mention a hefty vet bill!).

If anything, the smell is just an indicator that bacteria is building up inside your dog’s mouth.

In cases like that, you will need to take them to the vet for a dog dental cleaning. Depending on what they find, they may need to remove some of the affected teeth.

While it might sound extreme, it’s the best way to tackle dental abscesses. It’ll be uncomfortable for your dog for the first couple of days but once they heal, they won’t even know anything is different!

3. Skin Infection

Has your dog been scratching himself recently? Couple that with a strong fish smell and you may be dealing with a skin infection.

For example, it’s not uncommon for dogs with bacterial or yeast infections to emit a fishy odor. While they can occur anywhere on the body, they’re typically found on warm and moist areas such as the ears or paws.

Left untreated, the infection can cause skin discoloration, swelling, scaly skin, and changes in skin texture. Your dog may also try to lick the affected area to try and find relief.

In the initial stages, however, these issues may not be obvious at first glance, especially if your dog has long fur, which may be covering the affected area.

When in doubt, schedule a vet visit.