How to Remove Dog Odour Naturally
Wet dog pong in the back seat. That mystery whiff on the couch. The faint eau de kennel that seems to cling to your pup even after a brush. If you’ve been wondering how to remove dog odour naturally, the good news is this – you do not need to drown your dog in harsh perfumes or reach for questionable chemicals. Most odour issues come down to a few fixable things: coat build-up, damp skin, dirty bedding, ears, teeth or the occasional roll in something truly offensive.
The trick is working out where the smell is coming from first. A natural approach works brilliantly for everyday dog smell, but it should still be clever, not crunchy for the sake of it. If your dog smells strong all the time, there’s usually a reason.
Why dogs get smelly in the first place
Dogs are meant to smell like dogs. A healthy coat has natural oils, and some breeds have a stronger scent than others. Retrievers, spaniels and double-coated dogs often hold onto moisture and grime more easily, while dogs with skin folds, long ears or dense coats can trap bacteria, yeast and debris in all the wrong places.
Then there’s lifestyle. Beach swims, rainy walks, muddy parks and enthusiastic bin investigations all add to the situation. Even a gorgeous coat can start smelling off when dirt, saliva and oil build up over time.
Natural odour control starts with respect for the skin barrier. Strip the coat too hard and you can trigger dryness, irritation and even more odour as the skin tries to compensate. That’s why gentle, pH balanced grooming matters more than blasting your dog with whatever’s under the laundry sink.
How to remove dog odour naturally without overdoing it
If the smell is general dogginess rather than a medical issue, focus on cleaning the coat properly, drying thoroughly and keeping the places your dog lives just as fresh as the dog itself.
Start with the coat
A proper brush does more than make the coat look tidy. It lifts loose hair, dirt and dander before they settle into the fur and start holding odour. For short-haired dogs, a grooming mitt or soft brush usually does the job. For longer or thicker coats, you’ll need something that reaches through the top layer without being rough on the skin.
Brushing also spreads the coat’s natural oils more evenly. That means better shine, fewer knots and less of that stale, greasy smell that can build when the coat is neglected. If your dog only ever gets brushed when there’s a full tangle emergency, this step alone can make a noticeable difference.
Wash smarter, not harsher
Bathing helps, but only when it’s done well. A quick splash with a random shampoo can leave residue behind, and residue is one of the fastest ways to trap smell in the coat. Use a gentle dog shampoo with clean ingredients and rinse like you mean it.
For dogs with everyday odour, bathing every four to six weeks is usually enough. Active dogs, dogs that swim often or dogs with oily coats may need more frequent baths. Very frequent washing can backfire if the formula is too harsh, so it depends on your dog’s coat type, skin condition and social calendar.
A conditioner can help more than people realise. It smooths the coat, supports moisture balance and can make future dirt easier to brush out. If your dog’s coat feels dry but still smells odd, that combination of dryness and trapped build-up is often the culprit.
Dry your dog properly
This is where a lot of pet parents get stitched up. A damp coat smells stronger than a clean dry one, and moisture hanging around close to the skin can turn slightly funky very quickly. Towel dry thoroughly, then use a dryer on a dog-safe setting if your dog tolerates it.
Thick-coated breeds especially need extra attention around the chest, legs, underarms and behind the ears. If those areas stay damp, you’ll know about it by bedtime.
The spots people forget
If you’ve washed the dog and the smell is still there, it may not be the whole coat. It could be one small area causing all the drama.
Ears
Smelly ears are not just unpleasant. They can point to wax build-up, trapped moisture or infection. A healthy ear should not smell strong. If you notice a yeasty, sour or unusually pungent odour, or your dog is scratching and shaking their head, skip the home hacks and get it checked.
For routine care, use a dog-safe ear cleaner and keep ears dry after baths and swims. Floppy ears need a bit more vigilance because airflow is not exactly their strong suit.
Mouth
Bad breath can make your whole dog seem smellier than they are. Natural odour control is not just about the coat – it includes dental hygiene too. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly with a dog toothpaste, and keep an eye out for tartar, red gums or a smell that goes beyond standard dog breath.
If the odour is intense, dental disease may be the issue. No amount of bath time will fix that.
Paws and skin folds
Paws pick up everything from wet grass to who-knows-what on the footpath. Wiping them after walks helps stop odour from travelling through the house. Skin folds can also collect moisture and debris, so they need to be cleaned and dried gently.
These little maintenance jobs are not glamorous, but they are very effective.
Your home might be holding the smell
Sometimes the dog isn’t the smelly one anymore. The bedding, car seat cover, lounge throw and favourite rug are doing the heavy lifting.
Wash bedding regularly with a mild detergent and dry it completely before it goes back into rotation. Vacuum the places your dog sleeps, and don’t forget fabric surfaces that trap hair and dander. If your dog spends a lot of time in the car, give the back seat a proper clean too. That stale, warm-fabric smell loves to linger.
Freshening your dog while leaving their environment untouched is a bit like putting on nice perfume after a gym session. You might get away with it briefly, but the result is mixed.
Natural ingredients can help, but choose wisely
When people say natural, they often mean homemade. That can work in some cases, but natural does not automatically mean safe. Essential oils are a big one. Some are irritating to dogs, and others can be downright unsafe depending on the type, dose and how they’re used.
That’s why a professionally formulated grooming product often makes more sense than DIY experiments from the pantry. Look for dog-specific formulas that are pH balanced, free from harsh fillers and designed to clean without stripping. Australian-made, vegan formulas with thoughtful ingredient lists are a solid place to start because they give you the best of both worlds – a gentler approach with actual grooming performance.
A light dog fragrance can be a nice finishing touch between washes, but it should never be used to mask a coat that needs cleaning. Fresh should feel clean, not just smell louder.
When natural odour becomes a vet issue
There’s everyday dog smell, and then there’s a smell that waves a red flag. If the odour is sudden, very strong, localised or paired with itching, redness, greasy skin, hair loss or discomfort, it is time for a vet visit.
Skin infections, anal gland issues, dental disease, ear infections and diet-related problems can all create persistent odour. The same goes for dogs with allergies. If your dog gets smelly again almost straight after a bath, the problem may not be grooming at all.
Natural care has its place, but knowing when to hand it over to the pros is part of good dog parenting.
A fresher routine that actually lasts
The best answer to how to remove dog odour naturally is not one miracle product or one heroic bath. It is a rhythm. Brush regularly. Bathe with a gentle, dog-safe shampoo when needed. Dry properly. Keep ears, teeth, paws and bedding in check. Then top it off with products that respect your dog’s skin instead of overpowering it.
At Hound & Soul, we’re very fond of a dog that smells expensive, but the real goal is simpler than that. A fresh dog is usually a comfortable dog, and that’s the kind of signature scent worth keeping.
