Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish?
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So in my time in practice one of my main jobs was emptying anal glands. It's not glamorous but it's needed sometimes in dogs that have large anal gland sacs or are not emptying them naturally for another reason.
I used to refer to the smell like that of the ‘bog of eternal stench’. For those of you in your late 40s early 50s you will get that reference for those of you either side check out the film Labyrinth from 1986 and you will understand what I mean.
The smell is perhaps not as long lasting as this reference, but it is unpleasant and a tiny drop even one you wont see can be enough to smell significantly.
Table of contents
Why does my dog smell like fish?
Anal gland issues signs, symptoms and how to treat them
The anal gland sacs of a dog are situated just inside the anus, and the scent is designed to function like a personal scent marker. As your dogs’ stools pass the glands they are normally coated with some of this scent. This then in turn can be used as part of a territory marker and also give vital information to other dogs about your dogs health, sex and social status.
Signs that there is a problem include your dog scooting on their bottom, licking or chewing at their bottom or a fishy smell from them or somewhere they have been sitting or lying.
The best way to get them treated is a visit to your vets to get the glands checked and potentially expressed.
You also need to look at why they are not being expressed naturally. Common causes would include soft stools or recent bout of diarrhoea. To prevent problems a high-quality diet like Years is vital to keep stools firm enough to aid the glands emptying naturally.
- Your dog's diet needs to have a high-quality protein like that found in Years dog food as fillers can lead to softer stools.
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Probiotics to help keep guts healthy will also keep gut motility and stool formation where it needs to be. Check out the Years breed plus supplement for that to be covered.
- A good quality and the right volume of Fibre is also important to make stools big enough to touch the sides.
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Keeping your dog hydrated will help the fibre do its job and prevent constipation that could mean the glands are not being emptied often enough.
With these problems in mind glands that are not emptying can become impacted and lead to painful abscesses if not treated.
Yeast infections signs, symptoms and how to treat them
Yeast infections typically present as itchy skin, it is likely to be red and greasy. The smell can be fishy but also cheesy. This situation is often triggered by allergies or underlying health issues.
In more severe cases you can see thickening of the skin which can appear leathery or blackened.
Ears are a common area for this type of problem so you would get head shaking as well as scratching.
Always see a vet as treatment is needed. Your vet as well as treating the infection will discuss with you about likely causes and may do further testing to prevent the problem reocuring.
UTIs or other infections
Generally, speak UTIs and infections can have a sharp odour similar to that of rotten fish. In the case of UTIs the bacteria from the bladder and kidneys in these infections can make the dog smell fishy when they wee and leave a smell on the fur around their genitals.
Both the bacterial overgrowth and the bacteria's by products can add to the smell. Concentrated urine seen in these cases can increase odours and the infection can change the chemical composition of the urine resulting in a smell like ammonia.
Dental issues
This was one of my favourite areas of preventative health care when I was working in practice and for those of you following me on the Year FB community you will have seen my videos on how to teach your dog to tolerate daily dental care routines to include brushing. Brushing is the gold standard of dental care and this will prevent plaque which becomes damaging tartar both of which can be smelly.
Years have lots of products to support dental care including their Seaweed Plaque guard I use daily for my Cavapoo.
Best dental care includes brushing daily, a Plaque guard providing your pet can have seaweed and chews that are suitable for the age and size of your dog.
Feeding too much fish
Quite simply when you feed fish your dogs breath will smell of fish.
My dog loves the salmon and Pollack Years food and she does smell after eating it but its short lived. For other fishy dog foods and fish itself if you find the smell is lingering the best solution just like us is to brush teach after using a dog safe toothpaste.
When owners should go to the vet
If you are noticing a smell of fish from your dog and you have not just fed them fish then I would consider all of the above advice and book a health check with your vet just to be safe.
Why does my dog smell like fish?
The most common reason a dog smells like fish is their anal glands. These small scent glands sit just inside the anus and usually empty naturally when your dog passes a firm stool. If they become too full, blocked or irritated, they can release a strong fishy smell. Other possible causes include yeast infections, urinary tract infections, dental disease or simply eating fish based food. If the smell is strong, recurring or not linked to a recent fishy meal, it is best to book a vet check. It’s best to contact your vet if you suspect anal gland problems, as untreated blockages can lead to infection or abscesses.
How do I know if my dog’s anal glands are full?
Signs of full or blocked anal glands can include scooting, licking or chewing around the bottom, sitting uncomfortably, tail chasing, swelling near the anus or a foul fishy smell on your dog or their bedding. Some dogs may also seem painful when passing poo. You should not try to treat anal gland problems yourself unless your vet has shown you what to do, as the area can be painful and easy to irritate. A vet can check whether the glands need expressing and whether there is infection, impaction or an abscess.
Can my dog’s food make them smell fishy?
Yes, diet can play a part. If your dog has recently eaten fish, fish based dog food or fish oils, their breath may smell fishy for a short time. However, diet can also affect anal gland health indirectly. Dogs with soft stools or digestive upset may not naturally express their anal glands as well when they poo. A complete, high quality diet with the right balance of protein, fibre and hydration can help support healthy digestion and better stool consistency, which may reduce anal gland problems in some dogs. If the fishy smell continues even when your dog has not eaten fish, speak to your vet.
Can a fishy smell be a sign of infection in dogs?
Yes, a fishy or unpleasant smell can sometimes point to an infection. Yeast infections may cause itchy, red, greasy or smelly skin, and ear yeast infections can cause head shaking, scratching and waxy discharge. Yeast infections in dogs can create a strong, musty smell, especially when the ears are involved. Urinary infections can also cause strong smelling urine, accidents in the house, frequent weeing, blood in the urine or discomfort when passing urine. Always speak with your vet if your dog has signs of urine or bladder problems, especially if they are straining or unable to pee.
When should I take my dog to the vet for a fishy smell?
You should contact your vet if the fishy smell is strong, recurring, coming from your dog’s bottom, ears, skin, mouth or urine, or if your dog seems uncomfortable. Red flags include scooting, excessive licking, swelling near the anus, blood or pus, head shaking, itchy skin, strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, bad breath, difficulty eating or any sudden change in behaviour. Dental disease is also a common cause of bad breath in dogs, but daily tooth brushing helps prevent dental problems from developing. A fishy smell is not always an emergency, but it is worth checking early so your dog does not end up sore, infected or dealing with a preventable problem.
About the author
Nurse Joanna
Joanna Sutherland – VN, Cert AAB
Joanna is a qualified Veterinary Nurse and Behaviorist with over 15 years of experience in first opinion and referral practice. You can often find her sharing her experience in our Very Important Dog Facebook group.
