Why Does My Dog’s Pee Smell So Bad?

As dog lovers, we always want to know what’s happening with our pets. Just like other pets, dogs can have a variety of issues. One of the most common questions many dog owners have asked is, “Why does my dog’s pee smell so bad?”

The condition can be frustrating to deal with at times. But, if you have it under control, your dog can be kept healthy, so they can live longer and enjoy their lives. So, no matter what kind of problem your pet has, don’t lose hope.

why does my dog's pee smell so bad — Why does my dog’s pee smell so bad?

The following article will discuss possible reasons your dog’s urine smells foul and how your vet can assist you in eliminating the problem. It will also discuss the best ways to clean your dog’s stinky pee.

Reasons Why Your Dog’s Urine Smells So Bad

Why does my dog pee smell so bad? There are several reasons why your dog’s urine may smell bad. This section will discuss these possible causes in detail, giving you a better idea of what to do when the problem arises.

Urinary Tract Infection

An infection in your dog’s urinary tract can lead to an infection in their bladder or kidneys. When your dog experiences an infection, it may show several signs. Some of these signs include:

Increased urination
An unpleasant smell coming from their urine
Lower back pain
Difficulty urinating

dog urine — The dog felt guilty peeing on the carpet.

When your dog shows these signs, you should understand they have contracted an infection. It’s also probable that it has been going on for a long time.

Most dog owners will be shocked at how much a urinary tract infection can cause their dog to smell. After all, it is one of the most common conditions that can impact your dog’s life.

You can treat a urinary tract infection with antibiotics. Make sure to take your dog to the vet if they show signs of infection to get the proper treatment.

Kidney Disease

Kidneys are an essential part of the body. They are responsible for filtering out the toxins and poisons that your dog takes in. As such, the kidneys help your dog’s body to stay healthy.

Pug on the floor — A Pug looks sad on the floor.

However, kidneys can also succumb to diseases and infections and cause your dog’s urine to smell strange. Some breeds, such as German Shepherds and English Cocker Spaniels are at high risk of developing kidney diseases.

You can detect an issue with your dog’s kidney in different ways. For example, you can check out the urine that your dog passes. A healthy dog’s urine will usually not have a strong odor; the urine should also be clear and not cloudy.

If your dog’s urine stays clear and doesn’t smell very bad, they have a healthy kidney. On the contrary, if your dog’s urine has a foul odor and is cloudy, it may mean that you need to take it to the vet.

When your dog has kidney disease, there are several signs they will show. Some of these signs include:

Loss of appetite
Trouble peeing
Bloody urine

When your dog shows these signs, it is time to seek help from your vet. A vet will need a kidney test on your dog before it can be diagnosed with kidney disease. If diagnosed, the vet will prescribe a treatment plan.

Diabetes

Dog diabetes is a term used to describe several disorders. These disorders include hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas can no longer function.

English Bulldog drinks water at the park after playing.

In short, a dog with diabetes has high blood sugar levels in its body. Generally, you’ll know that your dog has diabetes when they start experiencing excess thirst and hunger and losing weight without reason.

Another indication that your dog has diabetes is that it may start having trouble peeing. It would help if you also looked out for urination issues in your dog.

As you can imagine, diabetes can be dangerous to your dog’s health. It can lead to a coma and other diseases that can be life-threatening. If your dog contracts diabetes, you should work with a vet who will give them the right treatments.

Some of the treatments they could receive are:

Regular checkups to monitor your dog’s blood sugar levels.
Diet and food guides to help control their diabetes.
Medications to help regulate their blood sugar levels.

Some dogs will need more than the above. You should consult with your vet to see how they can help you.

Medications

Some medications commonly given to treat the abovementioned issues may have side effects. For example, if you are treating your dog’s urinary tract infection with antibiotics, the medicine may be making them pee excessively. As a result, their urine may smell bad.

When your dog is on any medication, you should know that it can have side effects. In some cases, the side effects may be severe. If your dog’s urine is bad-smelling, you should consider speaking to a vet to get more information.

In such cases, your vet will help decide if the medication is causing your dog’s urine to smell bad. If it is, they will likely tell you the best way to manage their condition and possibly replace it with an alternative medication.

The Best Way To Clean Your Dog’s Stinky Pee

After looking at the possible causes of our dog’s stinky pee, it is time to look at the best ways to clean this type of pee. You can use different products and methods to get rid of the smell. In the interest of helping dog owners, we have narrowed it down to three methods a dog owner can use:

1. Vinegar is an all-purpose product you can use to remove the foul odors from your dog’s urine. Dog owners can use it in all kinds of cleaning projects, and it is a necessary tool in your cleaning kit. The good news is that you can clean your dog’s stinky pee with vinegar without the issues that may come with using harsh chemicals.

white vinegar in bowl — Can white vinegar helps deter dogs?

2. Baking soda is valuable to your “smelly” urine-cleaning kit. You can use it when you want to clean your dog’s pee from floor mats, carpet, or area rugs. You can also use it to clean up any leftover urine your dog has tracked in and around the home.

3. Clorox Bleach Spray is a good cleaning agent for outdoor and indoor needs. This product helps remove urine’s effects and will ensure that you clean your dog’s urine effectively. You can spray this around on hard floor surfaces and give it a good scrub with a brush.

carpet spray — Dog urine can cause smell and stain on your carpet.

With these three methods to clean your dog’s stinky pee, you can help keep the home or land relatively clean and free of bad smells.

Final Thoughts

Why does my dog’s pee smell so bad? This is a general question that dog owners have. As you have read, there are several reasons your dog will pee, and the smell will be bad.

Once you understand why your dog has this smell, you can prepare to deal with it.

It’s important to remember that you can treat most of these issues and that there are natural solutions for most of them. If you have any questions about your dog’s pee or if you would like more help on a particular condition, please get in touch with me or visit my website by clicking here. I would be happy to assist you.