How To Keep an American Bully Smelling Good

american bully that smells good

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The majority of American Bully owners adore their pets until they begin to smell like, well, a Bully!

Several factors could be causing your generally pleasant-smelling pup to suddenly smell like a garbage can, ranging from anything in their environment to medical issues that either you or the vet may have overlooked.

Fortunately, there are effective ways to keep your American Bully smelling good!

Here’s how you can keep your American Bully smelling good: 

  1. Bathe your American Bully.
  2. Don’t overlook your dog’s dental care. 
  3. Cut out grains. 
  4. Feed your dog with quality raw food.
  5. Brush your American Bully’s fur every day.
  6. Check your dog for an infection. 
  7. Clean your American Bully’s toys and bedding. 
  8. Use water and vinegar. 
  9. Use lemon water to deodorize your dog’s coat.
  10. Check your dog for a UTI. 

You’ll learn some great techniques to keep your American Bully clean and happy if you read the entire article, so don’t stop scrolling.

1. Bathe Your American Bully Once A Month 

american bully showing its teeth during shower

A good old-fashioned bath is a crucial tool for getting your dog to quit smelling bad. With some quality spa time, a fresh-smelling dog is definitely paw-sible. Bathing shouldn’t be saved for rare occasions. 

Here are some tips to make bath time less hectic: 

  • Assemble everything you’ll need ahead of time. For safety reasons and to avoid a wet dog romping around the home, you shouldn’t leave your dog unattended. 
  • Suppose you don’t have access to a hand-held showerhead. Wet and rinse your dog’s fur with a large cup. 
  • Use a non-slip mat or a towel in the tub to avoid injury. 
  • Use this gentle shampoo, designed specifically for dogs that clean without damaging essential oils from the fur and skin. I published a complete article on shampoos for american bully here.
  • Avoid getting water in their ears by using little bits of cotton to keep them dry. 
  • Rinse thoroughly. Shampoo residue can be itchy, and if the fur isn’t well cleaned, it’s more prone to attract dirt. 
  • Dry your dog using a hairdryer after using several fluffy towels. 

Baths provide several extra benefits in addition to making your dog smell better:

  • The coat is soft and shiny. 
  • Allergens are reduced when there’s less shedding. 

While bathing is necessary, please don’t overdo it because the skin and fur can get dry. 

2. Don’t Overlook Your Dog’s Dental Care

Dog breath is so pungent that it might knock you unconscious. Imagine how horrible it would smell if you didn’t wash your teeth for years! It’s no surprise, then, that maintaining good oral hygiene is an integral part of keeping your American Bully smelling fresh. 

Brushing your dog’s teeth as part of their daily routine can have a significant impact on the quality of their breath. Most dogs will fight at first, but they’ll eventually become accustomed to having their teeth brushed. 

Regular veterinary checks are necessary to ensure no significant concerns causing their foul breath. Breath refreshing sprays and dental chews might also work. 

3. Cut Out Grains 

Grains are hard for dogs to digest because they contain fiber. Gas is produced when bacteria in the dog’s gut break down the fiber. When your dog has gas, it will experience pain which is hard to live with. Even if gas isn’t a major health risk, it can be embarrassing for your dog to have gas when guests are at your house.

You can combat this issue by feeding your Bully a grain-free diet. A grain-free diet includes no wheat, rice, oats, or barley. ]

4. Try Raw Food

For thousands of years, wild dogs and wolves have been hunting and eating prey. As a result, dogs have evolved a digestive mechanism that works best with raw foods. 

Aside from the elimination of bad odors, raw food offer benefits such as: 

  • Disease prevention 
  • Improved dental health 
  • Healthier gut microbiome 
  • Shinier coat 
  • More energy 

Although there are benefits to a raw food diet, note that you should pay attention to the source. It’s safer and healthier to feed your dog raw food from a local farm rather than a commercial product. 

The US Food and Drug Administration did an assessment of foodborne disease in pet food around ten years ago. They discovered that commercially accessible raw dog food diets are considerably more likely than normal commercial diets to be infected with foodborne pathogens. 

Over 15% of raw dog food samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and nearly 10% of raw dog food samples tested positive for Salmonella.

These foodborne bacteria are linked to serious gastrointestinal illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

Also see my article about premium quality dog food for american bullies.

5. Brush Your American Bully’s Fur Every Day

Brushing your pet should be a part of your everyday pet care regimen. It gets rid of stray hairs, dander, and dirt, and residues in general.

Ensure you brush your Bully using the proper tools. It’s a fun way to spend time together and may be pretty calming for both of you. I recommend the Pet Slicker Brush because it prevents shedding and provides your dog with maximum comfort. 

6. Check Your Dog for an Infection

Ear infections in canines are among the most prevalent pet insurance claims; thus, the ears tend to be causes of foul odors. Ear conditions can be caused by bacteria or yeast, and regardless of what organism is causing the condition — it stinks. 

Normal ear debris doesn’t have the same odor as infected ears. If you discover unusual odors or dirt in your pet’s ears, or if they scratch them, it’s time to call your veterinarian. 

When the skin’s natural defense to harmful germs is breached, infection is conceivable. An American Bully’s skin might be weakened for various causes, resulting in a skin condition. 

The following can allow yeast and bacteria to multiply and create bad odors on the skin’s surface: 

  • Hormonal imbalances 
  • External parasites 
  • Allergies 
  • Inflammation 
  • Fungal infections 
  • Tumors 
  • Wounds 
  • Other disorders of the skin 

Through blood testing or directly sampling the skin, your vet can run tests to determine the type of condition and the underlying cause of it. 

Treatment required to address these odor-causing factors: 

  • Medicated shampoos 
  • Therapies 
  • Antibiotics 

7. Clean Your American Bully’s Toys and Bedding 

xl bully pulling toy

Giving your dog a bath and then allowing them to lie down in a soiled bed or play with dirty toys makes no sense. These odors can transfer to your dog and undermine all of your hard work, as well as prompt you to bathe them more frequently. 

Wash your dog’s bedding and toys on a regular basis to remove body oils, saliva, and dirt or grime that may cling to the fabric. Once your pet’s bed has been washed and cleaned, spritz it with doggie cologne or perfume to keep it feeling fresh for longer. 

8. Use Water and Vinegar 

A solution of 1/2 organic apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water can help to keep your Bully smelling good. You can spray the mixture on your dog and remove the excess with a cotton washcloth if he doesn’t mind a spray bottle. 

If he doesn’t like being sprayed, apply the solution using a natural sponge. 

This will assist in: 

  • Removing some of the dirt 
  • Neutralizing odors 
  • Glossing his coat 

You should avoid using this treatment if your dog has any open sores or sensitive skin since it may sting. 

9. Use Lemon Water To Deodorize Your Dog’s Coat

Lemon water will deodorize and give your dog’s coat an excellent gloss. 

To prepare lemon water:

  1. Slice a lemon into thin pieces. 
  2. Lay them in almost boiling water.
  3. Allow the mixture to sit overnight before spraying or wiping it on your dog the next day. 
  4. Put it in a container to keep it cool until you’re ready to use it. 

Your dog’s hair may have a slight crunch once the spray has dried. Brush your dog’s hair out gently, and its coat will appear to be newly washed. 

This mixture can also be used to kill fleas and soothe the skin. The lemon spritz may brighten your dog’s coat if it has a dark coat. 

10. Check Your Dog for a UTI

Canines, like people, can get urinary tract or bladder infections, which are just as uncomfortable for them as they are for us. 

Symptoms include your dog: 

  • Smelling like urine 
  • Wanting to go outside more frequently than usual 
  • Drinking more water than usual 
  • Peeing with signs of straining or pain 
  • Having blood in the urine, in rare circumstances 

UTIs are rarely serious, and your vet will be able to treat them. 

How To Remove Dog Odors From Your Home

To eliminate pet odor from your home, you’ll need to do more than just clean your Bully because foul odors linger even after you’ve removed the source. Here are some suggestions for combating the bad pet odors in your home. 

Vacuum the House

Pets (even hypoallergenic ones) shed hair and skin on a regular basis. Although dead skin (pet dander) normally is minuscule, it can gather and generate stink in your home.

Since your Bully isn’t excluded from shedding, it’s best to vacuum your home a couple of times a week to keep your place clean. If your dog has thick fur and it’s shedding season, you should start vacuuming every other day. 

Purify the Air

Air purifiers remove dander and dog odor and dust, pollutants, pollen, and smoke, good for pet odor control and health. For the best results, look for air purifiers with a HEPA filter. 

HEPA filters have high efficiency and can remove 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).

Use Nature’s Oils 

Natural plant oils are a fantastic way to bring aromatherapy and pleasant scents into your house. Essential oils can enliven any area, whether used in rollerballs, diffusers, or cleaning products. 

The best essential oils for combating your Bully’s odor are: 

  • Rose 
  • Lavender 
  • Lemon 

However, some oils are unsuitable for dogs and shouldn’t be used on your Bully or sprayed in the same area as him: 

  • Citrus 
  • Tea tree 
  • Pine 
  • Wintergreen 
  • Peppermint 
  • Ylang-ylang  
  • Sweet birch 
  • Pennyroyal 
  • Cinnamon 

Even if a product is labeled for dogs, avoid soaps, shampoos, or anything that has tea tree oil in it. 

Take your dog’s nose into mind whenever you use fragrance products to cover odors. Our noses aren’t quite as powerful or sensitive as a dog’s. Before applying essential oils, fragrances, cleaning solutions, or any other product with a scent, pay attention to your dog’s snout and wait for a reaction. 

Allow Fresh Air To Enter Your Home 

Opening your windows for a few hours each day can help to bring fresh air into your home. And, in addition to dog dander particles, this simple act can also drain the dog smell out of your house. 

This isn’t necessary if you’re using an air purifier because air purifiers work best when windows and doors are closed. As a result, the machine can recirculate the indoor air until it is fully odor-free. 

Tackle Pet Stains As Soon as Possible

You should check your carpets and rugs if your house smells bad. Even if your pet is well-behaved, you may notice pet stains on rich carpets. It is critical to treat them to eliminate foul odors properly. 

Using a damp towel, wipe the surface with a white vinegar solution. Most professional end-of-lease cleaners blend vinegar, mild dishwashing liquid, warm water, and a few drops of essential oil to make a cleaning solution. 

Stains can be removed in the same way. Establish a pattern and utilize additional tricks to make cleaning less tedious if you’re cleaning the entire house. On the other hand, this trick can perform wonders for you because white vinegar can quickly remove stains. 

Get Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned

If your furry companion spends a lot of time home with you, your carpets and any furniture they’ve laid on will need to be cleaned—clean around every 7 months or so. Pet hair, dirt, dander, and whatever else they’ve tracked in will settle into the carpet fiber. 

You may not see a dirty area, but you may notice a distinct pet odor or find your skin becoming irritated if you sit on the carpet. A skilled steam cleaning can remove all of the dirt that has built up in the carpet pile. 

Tips for Preventing Your Bully From Smelling Bad

There are ways to prevent your Bully from smelling bad. Here are a few suggestions: 

Get a Collar That Is Odor-Resistant for Your Bully

When was the last time you got a new collar for your dog? After a few years, the scents will have penetrated the cloth so profoundly that they are unlikely to be entirely removed. 

Odors trapped in your dog’s collar can spread to your furniture, rugs, and carpets. Buy a new collar with odor-resistant fabric if you haven’t changed your dog’s collar in a while or simply want a better alternative. 

Watch Your Bully During Walks

Suppose you’re more observant when out walking your Bully. In that case, you’ll be able to stop him from swimming in that filthy river, rolling in the dirt, and eating garbage—simply paying more attention when out and about with your dog goes a long way in keeping your Bully smelling good. 

Summary

Sometimes Bullies can get smelly when they play outdoors, so it’s important to maintain regular cleaning and pet grooming. These two fundamental ways ensure that your Bully feels fresh all day.

You can use the tips and tricks in this article to get rid of noxious odors while using safe and effective products. If your pet still smells bad, don’t hesitate to consult a veterinarian because a health problem likely causes it. 

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