Do you sometimes sit on the bench to relax, just to be interrupted by a terrible stench coming from the dog house? Ew, why does my Cane Corso smell so bad?!
Cane Corsos are one of the largest dog breeds. Unfortunately, this means that when this dog stinks, it can be one of the worst smells out there!
But, why does this happen? Is this a sign of bad hygiene, a normal dog smell, or a sign of something much more vicious?
Let’s find out all the causes of why Cane Corsos smell and what you can do to help your dog (and yourself!).
1. They Rolled In Smelly Stuff
The first and probably the most obvious answer to the question Why does my Cane Corso smell so bad, is that your Cane Corso has rolled into something stinky.
Cane Corsos are not the most playful canines out there, but even they love to roll in dirt or on grass from time to time. Unfortunately, sometimes they’ll also roll in gross things, such as dead animals or feces.
There are several reasons behind this behavior, but the main cause is pure instincts. When your dog rolls in smelly things, he is masking his own scent from predators or prey.
Also, most canines just love the smells we find repulsive!
If you notice a foul odor coming from your Cane Corso, but can’t determine the exact source of the smell, this is likely what happened.
How To Help
The best course of action here is to give your pooch a thorough bath.
While there are many ‘natural’ remedies, such as using tomato juice, coconut oil, or vinegar, I would advise you to stick to products that have been approved by veterinarians.
This includes using dog shampoos, pet-friendly odor removers, or even a Dawn dish soap. All of these can do a great job of getting rid of the terrible smell.
Of course, training your dog is a good prevention method – at least when you realize what your pup is up to.
2. Bad Mouth Hygiene
One of the most common reasons behind the terrible smell your Cane Corso might have is bad breath.
Bad breath is normal to a degree. Dogs don’t have the same dental hygiene as we do, and their breath does not have the most pleasant smell. However, it shouldn’t be that bad to start bothering you.
Mouth diseases can lead to serious problems in dogs, and they shouldn’t be ignored. They are also the main cause of terrible breath in your Cane Corso.
Sometimes, though, bad breath can be caused by gut problems – but more on this later on.
How To Help
Your dog’s teeth need regular cleaning to ensure proper dental hygiene. If your pet is resisting having his teeth cleaned, try giving him dental chews from time to time. These can help keep your Cane Corso’s teeth and gum healthy.
If you’ve changed the type or brand of dog food recently, this can also make his breath worse. Try switching to a different diet and see if anything changes.
However, the best thing you should do is to take your Cane Corso to a vet who will see what’s wrong and prescribe the correct treatment.
Sure, dental treats are a good way to make your dog’s breath more pleasant, but they cannot deal with the underlying issue. Only a veterinarian can help you with this.
3. Ear Infection
If you’ve noticed your pooch has smelly ears that he scratches constantly, chances are you’re dealing with Cane Corso ear infections.
While this dog isn’t too prone to ear problems, sometimes external factors can contribute to the development of this condition.
For example, maybe your dog cut himself when scratching, and now that tiny wound has become infected. Also, was and moisture buildup is a paradise for various sorts of bacteria.
Fungus infections can also happen to any dog, although they are somewhat rare in Cane Corso.
If your dog is constantly scratching and having red eyes, maybe he is experiencing allergies instead.
How To Help
Fortunately, if your pooch doesn’t have other signs of infection, the condition is probably in its early stages.
Still, it’s essential you take your pup to the vet, who will check whether he has a fungal or bacterial infection. The vet will then give you a proper treatment for your pup.
Remember to always implement a good ear cleaning into your Cane Corso’s grooming session. This is the best way to keep his ears clean and healthy. Not to mention how it’ll help him smell better!
4. Skin Issues
If it seems like your entire dog has a weird smell and you’re certain it isn’t a natural dog smell and that he didn’t roll into anything, maybe he has some skin issue that needs addressing.
While Cane Corsos are not too prone to allergies, they can still get any skin issue that commonly plagues short-haired breeds. The two most common ones are pyoderma and canine seborrhea.
Pyoderma is a skin condition that causes scabs, rashes, itchy skin, and hair loss. While it rarely causes a foul smell, it can lead to infections if left untreated, and these can stink.
Canine seborrhea, on the other hand, is a common answer to why your Cane Corso smells so bad. Seborrhea typically appears around the dog’s elbows and ankles, under the armpits, and on the dog’s belly.
How To Help
Once again, the only way to treat Cane Corso’s skin problems is to take him to the vet, who will prescribe the right treatment. This will usually be in the form of antibiotics, diet changes, or proper medical shampoo.
Most of these health problems will spread if left untreated, so don’t ignore them or try treating them on your own.
5. Anal Gland Problems
Anal glands or anal sacs are, as their name suggests, two pouches located on both sides of the dog’s anus. They secrete a thick, smelly liquid that helps dogs with identification, similar to oils on his skin. This is why canines love to smell each other’s butts.
In certain cases, for example, when a dog is constipated, these glands don’t excrete the liquid. This can lead to impacted anal glands.
If impacted anal scent glands are not noticed on time, they can burst, which will lead to not just the worsening of the smell but also severe health problems, such as anal gland infections and abscesses.
Next to the pungent odor, some of the signs of the impacted anal gland include:
- Scooting
- Fishy smell
- Cheese smelling anus
- Problems defecating
- Excessive licking near anus
- Swelling
How To Help
If you notice any of the above symptoms, you need to take your pet to the vet, who will examine the dog’s rectum and extract anal glands, if necessary.
Fortunately, this isn’t a challenging procedure, and your veterinarian might teach you how to do it on your own.
If the glands have been infected, the vet might prescribe antibiotics.
6. Stomach Issues
Another reason why your Cane Corso might smell so bad is because he is gassy.
Sure, Cane Corsos aren’t known to be as smelly as American Bullies or other breeds that are more prone to flatulence. This doesn’t mean they aren’t known to let one go.
If your Cane Corso farts are so bad you cannot stand to be near him, maybe he is having some gastrointestinal issues – or you’ve just switched to another brand of food, and he needs time to adjust.
Health problems such as kidney diseases or urinary tract infections are also known to cause bad odor, usually after your dog urinates.
How To Help
You need to know the precise stomach issue your dog is having before you can proceed with further treatment.
If you suspect new food is the culprit, give him a week or two to see if he’ll adjust. If the smell continues, maybe there are some food allergens that he is having an issue with. Go to the pet store and buy a different type of food and see if anything changes.
However, it might still be a good idea to take your pooch to the vet, especially if you notice his urine is the cause of the smell. Some of these health conditions can have severe consequences, and you don’t want to take any chances.
7. They Simply Smell Like Dogs
Let’s face it. No matter how much we adore them, dogs have that unique smell that isn’t always pleasant.
Dogs naturally produce secretions – and no, I am not talking about sweat, as dogs don’t sweat as we do. These smelly secretions help canines differentiate from one another. They also produce various natural oils from their sebaceous glands that will keep their skin and hair healthy.
Unfortunately, all of this can pile up and result in a rather strong smell many people, even long-term dog owners, dislike.
How To Help
Dogs smelling like… well, dogs, is quite natural. However, this doesn’t mean we have to cope with it, at least not all the time.
While there isn’t exactly a good prevention method for this, you can try using dog shampoos with stronger scents to mask the odor. Just make sure to check the ingredient list to make sure everything is veterinary-approved and healthy.
Some people wipe coconut oil on their dogs to help remove the smell, but once again, I cannot recommend using such a method without consulting with your vet first.
Keep in mind that while this smell is normal, if you’ve had your dog for years and you’ve never noticed him smell bad until now, maybe this is a sign of some underlying health condition. Take your pup to the vet just to stay on the safe side.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many reasons behind the bad smells in Cane Corsos. Some are quite natural, while others require urgent care.
If your dog didn’t roll into anything and if the smelly situation is fairly new, your only way to be certain what’s causing everything is to check with your veterinarian who can rule out or confirm any health problems your pup might be having.
As pet parents, we strive to give our Cane Corsos the best care possible. Sometimes, this includes reacting to seemingly benign situations, such as bad odor.
So, instead of wondering Why does my Cane Corso smell so bad, think about the potential cause of this issue.
Did you change something in your dog’s diet? Maybe he ran without supervision in a dog park and rolled into something while you weren’t looking. Or maybe he ate something behind your back and is now having trouble digesting it.
Remember, if there’s anything suspicious about the scent or your dog’s behavior, you should take him to the vet immediately. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Vanja’s passion for writing started at an early age, which is why she pursued Journalism as her college degree. She can research any topic and find all the information before you bat an eye, which is a great thing for her job but a terrible one for her husband.
Even as a young child, she fell in love with everything fluffy – but dogs have a special place in her heart due to her childhood companion, a Corgie named Archie.
Motivated by her experiences and driven by a desire to give back to her four-legged companions, she spends her free time volunteering at a local dog shelter.