My Yorkie stinks! Is it an oily skin problem or something else?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female
Do yorkies have an oil on them that makes them stink?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 22nd, 2017
They don't have any more oil glands than any other breed of dog. Their all the same. However they can get stinky if they have overactive glands and/or a current skin infection. I would suggest using a high quality dog shampoo such as Duxo shampoo ( different varieties exist so work with your vet to choose the best one for your pet) and bathing your pet once every 2-4 weeks if needed. I hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 19th, 2016
Bas skin odor is usually due to a skin condition, most likely an allergy. In some cases it could be related to the food, in others it's something entirely different. I would recommend taking Addie to the vet in order to have the skin checked and if needed treated with allergy meds.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My Yorkie has a musky odor almost all the time. She usually starts to smell a few days after grooming or a bath. Please help.
Bas skin odor is usually due to a skin condition, most likely an allergy. In some cases it could be related to the food, in others it's something entirely different. I would recommend taking Addie to the vet in order to have the skin checked and if needed treated with allergy meds.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a Maltese mix. He smells worse than wet dog smell when I bathe him. I thought maybe it could be bathing to often so I slacked up and it made absolutely no difference. I was bathing every 2 weeks until i read that is not recommended. My Dad an
Maltese due have a predilection for getting a certain type of yeast infection in their skin, which will give that stinky, musty type of smell. You are right that over-bathing can be harmful, because this can break down their natural defenses. However, in this case, these guys will need more frequent bathing with a medicated shampoo. You should get a medicated shampoo that is labeled for dogs. This can be purchased from pet stores or veterinary clinics. Give them a bath with the medicated shampoo once every other day for two weeks, then once a week after that for a month. You should ensure that the shampoo is worked well into the skin and left for 15 minutes before rinsing. You should also make sure to wash their face, because this is a common source of the smell. They should start to smell better in two weeks. If you are not noticing a change by then, then it's best to take them to a vet for an evaluation, because they may need a prescription shampoo in order to clear this
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my daughter has a shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso mix, she is white and has sensitive skin, she is on a grain free salmon food, and this helps, but lately we can/t seem to get her to stop stinking no matter what we bathe her in. she has tried prescription medic
It sounds like she has a lot of seborrhea which is oil. This could be due to an infection like yeast or bacteria on her skin but it could also be due to allergies. I like dechra's dermabenss shampoo. It really cuts the oil and has a pleasant smell. Be sure to leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes before rinsing. I would bathe her at least twice a week. If there are any crusts, ulcerations, black "elephant" skin then she will likely need to see your vet in order to be completely resolved as there is likely an infection involved as well. I would also start her a Benadryl regimen twice a day. See link below. I hope this helps.
https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/cat/benadryl/#!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
I have a 7 yr old Yorkie that I adopted in February this year. She has seborrhea. About 5 days after bathing, she gets oily and smelly. Is there anything that you would recommend to be given with her food to help this? At present I shampoo her weekly
A combination of Malaseb shampoo and Coatex supplement usually helps. Malaseb can be used twice weekly for the first two weeks to then decrease the frequency to once every week for 3 weeks to then once every other week. If infections are present antibiotics will be needed (your vet can easily determine that). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
MY SON HAS 3 DASHTONS DOGS N THEY REALLY STINK N THEY GET BATHED CONSTANTLY N THEIR BLANKETS WASHED ALOT N THEY REALLY STINK. THEY CONSTANTLY LICK EACH OTHER N CANT GET THEMTOSTOP....IS THIS WHAT MAKES THEM STINK SO BAD N ALL THE TIME...WHAT CAN I D
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with your dachshunds’ odor. Do they have any underlying skin, dental, or anal gland issues? Any of these could contribute to what you are smelling. I would recommend they have a thorough physical with a veterinarian to determine if there is an underlying issue contributing to the odor, and get any suggestions on a shampoo that may help. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Yorkie has extreme dandruff what can I do?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a generalized skin infection. You can try to use a medicated shampoo containing chlorhexidine twice weekly for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Also, fish oil can help tremendously with dry skin. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Lido is a rescued puppy that should have between 3 to 4 months. We hace noticed that she has a strong odor... althought she is always inside the house and is frequently bathed. We have another dog and and the case is the opposite, she always smells
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is interesting as usually puppies do smell pretty good. I’d have her checked out by a veterinarian to make sure it’s not something like a yeast infection in the ear (or anywhere else) and to check the mouth and anal glands. Otherwise be sure to use a shampoo made for dogs as the acidity of a dogs skin is much different than human skin and human soaps can actually be unhealthy for dogs. Bathe up to once a week but NOT more often (unless your vet says otherwise). There are also scented wipes and sprays that have help them smell good. Hope his helps and best of luck to you and Lido!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 12 yo fox terrier has become really smelly. Even after a bath it is not long before she has a strong odour again.
This sign, if the smell is generalized and coming from the skin, could be caused by skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and eventually antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
After I give my dog a bath a couple of days later he stinks why is that. He stinks like I just didn't give him a bath and I use butter,sprays,leave in conditioner. I don't think he has anything wrong with skin vet said he is fine.
That may be his "pack" smell. He may also have (good) bacteria in his skin that produce this smell. The more you bathe him, the drier his skin gets and the more fat the skin will produce to moisten it, and the more he will smell. A lot of the smell can be alleviated by taking him outside for walks to "air him out". You may also want to try a change of food. Some foods make dogs smell, especially cheap dog food such as Ole Roy
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my yellow lab has really oily fur and she sheds a lot. shes often licking herself and she smells. is there anything i can buy for her to help stop the oily fur and treat her symptoms by whatever is causing it?
Oily hair often indicates that there is an underlying problem that is not allowing the skin to maintain a healthy environment. This could be caused by a metabolic condition like hypothyroidism, or a nutritional deficiency. In order to narrow-down the cause of this, you will need to take her to a vet. A vet can help narrow-down the underlying problem with a standard examination and advise you on the necessary diagnostics and/or treatment. For now, you can help to keep the coat free from oil and infection (they often have secondary infections with this disorder) by giving a bath once every three days with a medicated shampoo (can get this at the pet store). It's best to ensure the shampoo is worked well into her coat and is allowed to have at-least 15 minutes of contact time on the skin. Make sure to rinse and dry her well. I hope that helps and your dog gets better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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