Bicarb for washing smelly dogs?!

[hollyd443]

Hi,

I was chatting to someone today, having a whinge about how stinky the dogs were with all this wet weather - she suggested washing them in bicarb of soda? I thought it was just for baking and cleaning the house?! Is this right?

The wet dog smell is reeeeally getting to me at the minute so if anyone has any suggestions!
 
Holly

[Ninasmum]

Oh i've never heard of that    although Bicarb does neutralise smells 
will be interested to see if anyone knows if its safe to use on the smelly, wet doglets too 

[elaine.e]

I've just done a google search and found a website recommending adding 3 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to each litre of water when bathing a dog. Apparently it will help get rid of odours, makes the coat softer and won't irritate the skin.

I'm not sure that you could do that when already using shampoo and conditioner, but maybe when it comes to hosing down a wet, stinky dog you could do a final rinse with some warm water and bicarb?

The ends of Louis's ears get particularly smelly during wet weather so I think I'll try washing them in water with bicarb. dissolved in it and see if it works.

[Helen]

I wonder why some stink more than others?  Jarv's sister is smelly, but there is only a very faint whiff of dog from Jarvis when he is wet.  We used to look after a springer and she was rank 

[black taz]

suppose for the same reason some people's sweat stinks more than others 

[Clare B]

Well bi-carb sounds good then, I wonder if I will get organized enough to try it out

[hollyd443]

Just checking my baking cupboard and its baking powder I've got in there...hmm, think I'll get some bicarb in and give it a go. 

Thanks for investigating further Elaine - really interesting. 

I wonder why some stink more than others?  Jarv's sister is smelly, but there is only a very faint whiff of dog from Jarvis when he is wet.  We used to look after a springer and she was rank 

Weird isn't it. Our friends old golden had a reaaaally strong doggy smell but she was groomed really often. Mika's coat is great from that point of view (shame its nots so good on the moulting, my poor dysons dying at the moment!!). The cockers are really stinking with all the wet weather! Constantly got the beds in washing, think they'll have a bath this week to.

[Toni-UK]

I wonder why some stink more than others?  Jarv's sister is smelly, but there is only a very faint whiff of dog from Jarvis when he is wet.  We used to look after a springer and she was rank 

I wonder if it is because we are used to our own dogs smell so it isn't so pungent to us.My son who doesn't live at home anymore has said to me when visiting that Ruby stinks of wet dog yet OH can't really smell her, i can't anyway as i have almost no sense of smell which is perfect when she has rolled in poop!!.
 

[Helen]

I wonder why some stink more than others?  Jarv's sister is smelly, but there is only a very faint whiff of dog from Jarvis when he is wet.  We used to look after a springer and she was rank 

I wonder if it is because we are used to our own dogs smell so it isn't so pungent to us.My son who doesn't live at home anymore has said to me when visiting that Ruby stinks of wet dog yet OH can't really smell her, i can't anyway as i have almost no sense of smell which is perfect when she has rolled in poop!!.
 

no - there is DEFINITELY a difference in stench....the springer I mentioned almost made me gag.  When we look after Fudge and Jarvis together there is a massive difference between the smell of each of them 

[KellyT]

Millie honks when wet, Jennie honks less. Hazel isn't too bad now the kennel / outdoor dog smell has gone (thankfully, jeez that was vile!) all three together is fruity... all three wet together on a caravan is   

[Danni and Freya]

I was spolt with Freya as she doesn't have a doggy smell wet or dry. Ellie however...  when wet it is almost a pooey smell (sorry  ) horrific. I thought it was the different type of coat but from reading what you guys have written it is just different from dog to dog