What Do Groomers Put on Dogs to Make Them Smell Good?

Dog groomers use a variety of products to make your pooch smell clean and fresh. Groomers will work your animal from the paws up, which ensures that no part of the animal is left unclean. Learn a few tricks groomers use to keep your dog smelling fresh without having to bath her constantly or schedule lots of grooming appointments. Many of the steps taken to make your dog smell good have additional health benefits.

Dog groomers always use shampoo especially formulated for dogs, including those specifically designed to remove odors from the hair and skin. These shampoos go the extra step to eliminate odors with various odor-killing ingredients, while other shampoos simply shield odors for a limited period of time. If you are concerned about your dog's odor, ask a groomer to use an odor-killing shampoo. Dog shampoos may also enhance the shine of your dog's coat.

Groomers go beyond simply washing your pooch. They also clean out the ears and eyes and trim the nails. Cleaning ears and eyes can help reduce the overall foul odor coming off your canine, especially if the animal suffers from ear mites or other odor-causing bacteria. Groomers will use cotton swabs and cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove gunk in the ears, as the alcohol kills bacteria. It also dries any water in your dog's ear should your dog like to swim. Cotton balls soaked in warm water remove eye gunk.

Another standard of dog grooming is brushing the teeth, which is necessary for dental health as well as to combat dog breath. While human toothpaste can cause stomach upset if ingested, dog toothpaste can be swallowed by dogs without any side effects. Brush dog teeth daily if possible to combat odor and keep your dog's teeth in good condition. Ask your local dog groomer for tips concerning the best-scented dog toothpaste.

Dog colognes and sprays are sometimes used to finish dog grooming sessions to keep your dog smelling fresh long after the grooming has been completed. "Chalk" finishing products are also available. Such products are recommended for use in between grooming sessions and during at-home baths to keep your pooch smelling wonderful. Some sprays may also work to remove debris caught in dog coats as well as mud from paws. Most should be left on after application -- there is no need to rinse the dog's coat with water.