My dogs hate baths. I tried everything, treats, warm water, massages, kisses, you name it. My dogs love their stinky smell.
As pet owners, we know that baths are essential to their health and well-being. Even if it’s the most hated thing in the world, something’s got to give.
But was there a time when you noticed that your Shih Tzu smells bad right after taking a bath?
Weird, right?
Apparently, this is a common problem among Shih Tzu’s. And today, we’re going to talk about some possible causes of a dog smelling worse even after bathing.
Why does my Shih Tzu smell even after a bath?
1. Your Shih Tzu has a yeast infection
Yeast infection or fungal infection is one of the most common skin problems in small dog breeds like Shih Tzu. It is caused by the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis.
Skin conditions like yeast infection are not contagious. However, it will take a toll on your Shih Tzu’s skin. The itchiness is unbearable. When I found out that my dog has it, we went to the vet, and he was given oral and topical medicines. I was also told to be mindful of what I give my Shih Tzu. Because most often, food allergies are the common cause of yeast infection.
2. Your Shih Tzu has bits and pieces of food stuck in his hair
Putrid odors can happen during, or after eating. Even tiny pieces of food can get stuck in their hair, especially if you don’t clean them after. It may seem that the skin’s left without traces of food, the mouth is all cleaned up; the face seems to be spotless. But it’s extremely necessary to at least wipe their face with a soft and clean cloth as part of their bathing routine to remove the excess dirt from their face.
3. Your Shih Tzu has colds
Like us, Shih Tzu’s are prone to cough and colds. Symptoms include watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. Sometimes, even tear stains can produce an unpleasant smell due to bacteria buildup.
If your Shih Tzu is experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your vet right away.
4. You did not wash it all off
Dirt that sticks to your Shih Tzu’s coat by playing around the mud or other outdoor activities where they easily accumulate dirt can result from unpleasant odors, even after you bathe them.
My Shih Tzu has curly hair, especially in the bum area. Sometimes, it gets very tangly and his fur would end up matted. The matted fur was the part where dirt can accumulate, which may result in unpleasant odors.
5. Your Shih Tzu has tooth decay
Medical help for your Shih Tzu’s physical body isn’t enough to take care of them in a wise and practical manner. You should ask a veterinarian to check your dog’s teeth because, like the way their body accumulates dirt, their bad breath can also result from why they get bad odor; you should not forget a dental check-up for your Shih Tzus.
6. Your Shih Tzu has ear infections
This is what I am most annoyed with my Shih Tzu. He has hair growing from inside his ears. A professional pet groomer can pluck these easily. But if not done properly, it would result in a serious ear infection. Sometimes, you would see pus coming out of their ears, which can lead to a bad odor.
7. You’re using human shampoo instead of good quality shampoo for dogs
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT bathe your Shih Tzu with human shampoo. Choose a dog shampoo that uses all-natural ingredients to avoid skin infections and flaky skin. My favorite Shih Tzu shampoo is the one that has oatmeal. Oatmeal, combined with vitamin E and aloe will leave your dog’s fur soft, clean, and fluffy. Moreover, oatmeal is gentle for dogs with sensitive skin.
8. There’s dirt stuck in his nails
Sometimes, we pay so much attention to cleaning our dog’s body, that we fail to check if his paws and nails are thoroughly cleaned. Before the final rinse, give your dog’s paws a gentle rub using your fingers. They may still be dirt remaining between his nails that you missed.
How often should I bathe my Shih Tzu?
It’s recommended to bathe your Shih Tzus every three weeks. But, depending on the daily activities of your dog, if it often soils itself, then you have to bathe them more frequently. Be more careful with your dog because you will never know at a first glance or smell if your Shih Tzus are just having a bad odor, or a problem with their skin, breath, or eyes.
In addition, getting them a Shih Tzu haircut that you think suits their pleasing personality should follow a regular check-up to a vet, and grooming them yourself, or to a professional groomer.
Final thoughts
Another natural and gentle solution to help your Shih Tzu smell good is to do a final rinse using warm water mixed with regular white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Always remember that the moment you got your Shih Tzus, was the moment you became a parent, just like the loving parents to their children. Treat your Shih Tzus as more than just an animal passing by on a cold and damp street on the rainy days, or an animal that trails on the corner of the neighborhood, lost from a crowd of humans dismissing its existence.
Pamper them. Give them the cutest Shih Tzu haircut. Buy them convenient clothes. Put ribbons in their soft hair. And always make time for them. In this way, you’ll instill something impactful in their minds.
