Why do Bulldogs smell like fish

10 Reasons Why Your French Bulldog Stinks

No one likes to go in for a nice cuddle with their fur baby, only to be hit by a big wave of a nasty smell. Its not very pleasant to handle a French Bulldog that smells bad, but some people choose to get used to it and live with it rather than do anything about it.

Like most dogs, French Bulldogs do have a particular doggy odor, but this smell can be much worse if your dog isnt cleaned properly or has certain health issues. Taking care of your dogs hygiene like their ears, feet, and facial folds is essential for preventing them from smelling bad.

French Bulldogs require regular cleaning around their skin folds or theyll begin to smell very bad (due to yeast and mold growth) and some other health issues may begin to appear.

French Bulldogs also develop doggy odor quickly due to the short length of their coat.

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Related Reading: My French Bulldog Have Skin Bumps, Why?

10 Reasons Why Your French Bulldog Smells

The first thing you should do is figure out whats causing your Frenchie to smell and do what you can to fix it. We have listed some common causes of these odor problems, so take a look through them and see if you can figure out whats causing your Frenchie to smell.

1. Poor Diet

Poor diet is a very common cause of foul odors, as bad foods can lead to bad smells. Feeding your French Bulldog a diet that consists of low-quality and cheap foods can have a major impact on their flatulence, their breath, and how their skin/coat smells.

If you want to improve the overall health and smell of your Frenchie, you need to feed him a diet that consists of high-quality ingredients and nutritious foods. Try to experiment with different kinds of diets so you can know which one works best for your pal. Try fresh food specially formulated for your dog for the best results.

2. Staying Damp for Too Long

If you are someone who lets their Frenchie air dry after a bath or a swim, then you are inviting nasty bacteria to grow on its skin. A warm and moist environment is ideal for bacteria to grow and thrive. This bacteria leads to a bad odor, and a dirty Frenchie, and can lead to infection if your dog has any small cuts you havent noticed. So, make sure to properly dry your French Bulldog any time they get wet. You can easily do this with a towel or a hairdryer on a low medium heat setting.

3. Unhygienic Environment

When a French Bulldog spends a lot of time in an unhygienic environment, you can easily tell from its fur. Any dirt, debris, or smells in the air will cling to their coat and you will suddenly notice a dirty and foul-smelling dog. Try your best to avoid letting your French Bulldog roam anywhere he pleases, especially places that might leave him smelling bad or getting into elements that may make him sick.

4. Unwashed Bedding

If your French Bulldogs bed is left unwashed for several weeks at a time, it might be the cause of bad odor. Without regular cleaning, dried skin, hair, dirt, and debris will quickly accumulate on the bed leading to an abundant feeding ground on which bacteria will thrive. That bacteria and resultant bad smell will rub on your dog and make him smell bad. Make sure that you wash your Frenchies bed at least every two weeks, but once a week is preferable.

5. Dirty Ears

French Bulldogs ears can get dirty easily and could be the cause of a bad smell. Whether its dead skin cells, excess wax, or bacteria, your Frenchies ears need to have a good cleaning regularly (any time you see dirt on the outside and at least once a month on the inside). Clean ears will minimize the risks of smells or infections.

6. Anal Glands

The anal gland could be the worse smelling region of your French Bulldog. If you notice a strong fishy smell and your Frenchie is dragging its rear across the floor or frequently licking it, then anal glands might be the culprits. You may have to take your pet to the vet to have the anal glands expressed, which will greatly decrease both the smell and your dogs discomfort.

7. Yeast Infection

If you notice that your French Bulldog has inflamed skin, is itching profoundly, and smells more than usual, he might have a yeast infection. Dogs with a yeast infection often smell like popcorn or corn chips. A yeast infection can take time to get rid of and it is important to treat it as soon as you notice symptoms so that it does not worsen. Consult your veterinarian if you suspect your Frenchie of having a yeast infection. Make sure you have pet insurance for your furry buddy to avoid an unforeseen, high vet bill!

8. Skin Folds & Wrinkles

A French Bulldogs skin folds tend to hold bacteria, as well as food, so they can start to smell if the folds arent cleaned regularly. Folds that are left uncleaned for too long can become irritated and infected, leading to further problems. Ideally, you should be cleaning your French Bulldogs facial folds daily or every two days at least. Body folds should be cleaned at least weekly.

9. Dirty Paws

Since your Frenchies paws are always in contact with something, they can easily start to smell when they inevitably step into something dirty. Whether its a spill, wet floor, food, or mud, it often invites bacteria to grow on their paws and, over time, creates a nasty odor. So make sure you regularly clean your buddys paws with warm water and dry them thoroughly.

10. Flatulence

Frenchies are known for their flatulence. Its an awful smell and hits you suddenly. The most common cause of flatulence is the food you are giving your dog. Some foods might not be properly digested by your French Bulldogs, so they produce a lot of gas. Experiment with what youre feeding your French Bulldog to see what works best.

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Do All Frenchies Smell Bad?

All Frenchies are different, each with a unique lifestyle. All this affects how badly they may smell. But unlike other dog breeds, all French Bulldogs are prone to smell bad if not properly cared for.

Almost all French Bulldogs have that particular doggy smell, and their owners quickly get used to it. But remember that its just not the doggy smell you need to worry about, as many other smells can come from your French Bulldog.

The factors that determine how much your French Bulldog smells could be medical, dietary, or just how well you care for them. Not all French Bulldogs smell bad, but its related to their overall health and how well their owner takes care of them.

Now lets take a look at some of the causes of French Bulldogs smell.

How To Keep Your French Bulldogs Fresh & Clean?

To keep your Frenchies feeling clean and fresh, you need regular grooming sessions.

Lets go through the different body parts of your French Bulldog you need to groom and why you have to do so.

Facial Folds & Wrinkles

Although French Bulldogs are known for cute facial wrinkles, they usually come with a price. These folds get infected easily if you dont clean them out regularly. Without proper cleaning, it can lead to a bad smell and further health issues.

Food can become trapped in your Frenchies folds, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to develop and thrive. You should try to clean your French Bulldogs facial wrinkles daily. This can be done with a Q-tip and a gentle cloth.

Ears

Frenchies bat-like ears are prone to catching pollen, dirt, etc. This means that they can get dirty very quickly, so you need to clean your Frenchies ears regularly. However, you should avoid using Q-tips as you risk causing an injury if you perforate the eardrum. Cotton balls are much safer and are more effective at removing dirt and debris.

Coat & Skin

Taking care of your French Bulldogs coat will help to keep smells away.

By bathing and grooming regularly their fur is less likely to get to the point where it smells bad. If youre dealing with a smelly French Bulldog, it might just be their skin or coat is giving off a bad smell, so the best thing you can do is to give them a good clean. You need to use a high-quality dog shampoo and conditioner and give them a thorough cleaning. As mentioned above, make sure you dry them off thoroughly after a bath.

You should also brush your Frenchie regularly. Giving them a good brush once a week should be enough to remove any dirt, debris, or dead hair.

Paws

Since Frenchies are always on their feet, theyre bound to step into some things that could cause their paws to start to smell. Anything dirty or moist could cause a foul smell with enough time.

If you do notice a smell coming from your French Bulldogs feet. All you need to do is give them a thorough wash with warm water and gentle soap.

Related Reading: Tips For French Bulldogs Drooling

Final Thoughts

We hope that this list of possible smell factors will be of great help to you and your Frenchie as you both strive to avoid unwanted and unpleasant odors from taking hold of your house.

If you have tried these tips and are still finding that there are strange or bad smells coming from your dog, it may be time to speak with your vet to see if something else is at play. If you follow our hygiene tips, you and your Frenchie should be on your way to a clean and stink-free life!

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! Im Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When Im not writing for SirDoggie, youll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.

My Bulldog Smells Like Fish, What Should I Do?

As with any dog, Bulldogs emit various scents. By why on Earth do they have a fishy odor on some occasions? bum sac impaction, infections, poor grooming, and even kidney problems are the most common culprits whenever a Bulldog smells like fish. Most of these are preventable and easy to treat.

If your Bulldog suddenly smells like carp from a stinky river, the following might be the reasons why.

1. bum gland problems

The most common cause of fishy smell in dogs is impacted bum glands. This occurs if the accumulated fluids on the sacs arent emptied properly. As the fluids dry, they will become impacted and quite foul-smelling.

Your Bulldog has a higher risk of having impacted bum glands if it always has a very soft stool. The stool isnt firm enough to express the fluids trapped on the glands.

Remember that impacted bum glands can develop infections if not addressed right away. Abscesses will form, which will cause a strong fishy odor. Aside from that, your dog will suffer from inflammation and pain in the affected area.

On a more serious note, Bulldogs with a fishy odor might be suffering from dog bum sac tumors. The tumors will limit or prevent the natural expression of the dog bottom glands.

When this happens, dirt will accumulate, which will emit a bad smell. But beyond the odor, the biggest concern here is that dog bum sac tumors can be cancerous.

2. Dental issues

If your dogs bum glands are expressed regularly, the next thing you should rule out is dental issues.

Rotten teeth, plaque formation, gingivitis, and other similar conditions can all emit a fishy smell. These problems occur because you fail to observe proper dental hygiene on your Bulldog.

Canine dental problems never go away on their own. It will just get worse the longer you put off the treatment.

Proper brushing is crucial to prevent fishy breathe on your dog. You should also use toothpaste formulated for dogs. Water additives and regular teeth cleaning are also advisable.

3. Skin disease

Another potential condition you should look into is a skin disease. Skin mites, ticks, and fleas can all wreak havoc on your Bulldogs skin, which will lead to a smelly infection.

Blood-sucking parasites will create tiny wounds on your Bulldogs skin. This gives pathogens an entryway. As your dog scratches and licks the area, the infection and smell will get worse.

Also, Bulldogs have lots of wrinkles that can hide the parasites. It can also trap dirt and allergens that can trigger a slew of skin irritations. The folds can also accumulate yeast, which is notorious for its unpleasant odor.

If not addressed right away, canine skin diseases will make your dog smelly. Its very important to check your Bulldogs skin daily to spot sudden changes that may point to infections.

4. Ear infection

A dogs ears can harbor the nastiest dirt you can imagine. Try sniffing your Bulldogs ear flaps and see if its the main source of the fishy odor.

Ear infections occur when you fail to clean your dogs ears regularly. The dirt, moisture, and bacteria accumulate inside, which brews a nasty smell.

Most ear infections are easy to treat and can be cleared with home medication. You should talk to your Bulldogs vet to know about the right ear cleanser to use.

5. Kidney problems

Kidney problems are one of the dreaded conditions among dogs. Its also one of the reasons why your Bulldogs breath may smell fishy.

Your Bulldog may suffer from kidney failure when it experiences severe dehydration, heatstroke, and bacterial infections. Also, excessive consumption of protein can put compromised dogs at risk of developing kidney disease.

Aside from fishy breath, your Bulldogs urine will also have a strong odor. Youll also notice the following symptoms:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Bloody traces in urine
• Poor appetite
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Changes in urination frequency and amount
• Increased or decreased thirst
• Mouth ulcers

6. Canine vaginitis

If you have a female Bulldog, one thing you should check is its genitals. Female Bulldogs are susceptible to canine vaginitis, a condition that causes the inflammation of the genitalia.

Aside from the inflammation, the affected dog will also have smelly genitalia discharge. The following are some of the most common causes of vaginitis among Bulldogs:

• Foreign matter
• Urinary tract infections
• genetalia tumors
• Fecal contamination of the genetalia
• Abnormally situated ureter
• Sexual immaturity

Most mild vaginitis in dogs will resolve on its own without treatment. However, if the fishy smell coming off your Bulldogs privates is getting intense, its best to seek veterinary care right away.

What to do if your Bulldog smells like fish

As a long-time dog owner, Ive dealt with countless odors emanating from my dog. The fishy smell is, by far, the most common occurrence. To prevent it, I always practice the following:

Visit the vet

Routine vet checks are very important, whether your Bulldog has a fishy smell or not. Some causes of fishy smell like kidney disease and vaginitis could be prevented if you just bring your dog to the vet early.

Also, never hesitate to call the vet to ask for medical advice. Proper diagnosis is also important, so your Bulldog will receive the treatment it needs.

Empty the glands

Expressing my Bulldogs bum glands is my least favorite grooming task, and I think that most pet owners will agree. Its gross, smelly, and messy. Still, someone has to do it.

The process of expressing the bum glands is quite simple. You just have to squeeze the two small pouches located on each side of the dogs bum.

Remember to wear gloves and a mask because the oozing dirt can be gross beyond imagination.

Observe proper grooming

Proper grooming is one of the best ways to reduce the awful smell that comes from your Bulldogs body.

First, make it a habit to brush your dogs coat. This will give you the chance to check for skin changes or spot infections in its infancy.

Aside from that, you should also bathe your Bulldog properly. Always pull the skin folds taut so that you can wash the trapped dirt. You should also use a dog shampoo that matches your dogs skin.

Ear cleaning is also necessary to prevent the formation of bad odor. Always use a dog ear cleanser to drain the dirt off your pets lughole.

And if your Bulldog got soaked on a lake, river, or other bodies of water, make sure that they are bone-dry afterward. This will prevent excess moisture from harboring smelly bacteria on the dogs ears, skin folds, and other parts of the body.

Switch to a healthier diet

A healthy diet is also important in keeping your dog healthy. It will also reduce the likelihood of a fishy smell since it promotes well-formed stool. A nicely firm stool will help express the bum glands naturally to prevent the accumulation of smelly dirt.

Aside from that, a complete and balanced diet will keep your dogs skin more resistant to infections. While dog food is far from a cure, it will boost your Bulldogs immunity against illnesses that could cause a fishy odor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you tell if your dog needs his bum glands expressed?

A: If your Bulldog is licking its bottom frequently, it might be a sign that its time to express its bum glands. A strong fishy odor and brownish traces on the spot where your dog sits are also tell-tale signs of bum glands due for a cleaning.

Q: Do Bulldogs smell fishy when they are stressed?

A: When a dog becomes extremely stressed, its sphincter muscles contract. This is the same movement as when your dog is defecating or expressing its bum glands. With that, a strong odor of rotting fish will emanate from its body.

Q: Why does my Bulldogs fart smell like rotten fish?

A: A dog fart that smells like rotten fish might be due to what your dog recently ate. Also, it might mean that your pet is due for bum gland cleaning. However, if the smell lingers, its best to get your dog checked at the vets clinic.

Q: Why does my Bulldog smell like fish even after a bath?

A: If your Bulldog smells like fish even after a bath, you should check for potential skin infections. Also, you probably forgot to express its bum glands. The worst possible scenario is that your dog has kidney problems that require immediate veterinary care.

Q: Does being in heat make dogs smelly?

A: During a heat cycle, a female dog releases a unique scent to attract males. Theres also a chance that the female Bulldog in heat can develop a mild fishy odor. However, this scent should clear up as the heat cycle ends.

Final words

If your Bulldog smells like fish, you should rule out several health problems first. Acting fast will spare your dog from further infections, discomfort, and even life-threatening conditions.

Most of the time, the fishy smell is easy to deal with. You just have to observe proper grooming and take your dog to the vet regularly. This way, the veterinarian can spot health issues before it becomes a stinky problem.

• Hi I'm Brad, the founder of bulldogpapa.com. Having been a vet of 6 years I work alongside our team to provide valuable insight into your dog's health. I have a frenchie myself named Senzu who is my pride and joy!

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