Do French Bulldogs Stink? 11 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Stink

French Bulldogs are one of the most beloved dogs in America.

Besides being all adorable, they also have a fun personality and a calm presence that makes you just wanna be around them all the time. However, your French Bulldog might have a bad odor that will make being around the dog very unpleasant.

So, why do French Bulldogs Stink? French Bulldogs tend to develop bad odor due to their lack of hygiene; they don’t clean themselves as much as most dogs; however, there are many different reasons that can cause the bad odor, such as poor diet, anal glands, flatulence, yeast infection, dampened coat, dirty ears, or their wrinkles.

That’s not the full answer; there’s a lot more to know about the reasons behind the French Bulldog’s odor, so if you’re looking for information on how to keep your Frenchie from stinking up your house, keep reading!

Why Do French Bulldogs Stink?

French Bulldogs can stink due to a lack of hygiene; they don’t clean themselves as much as other dog breeds such as Basenji, Japanese Chin, Greyhounds, Poodles, and Huskies.

These dogs clean themselves just like cats which makes them on the top of the list of the cleanest dogs out there.

11 possible reasons why your French Bulldog stinks:

Low-Quality Food
Yeast Infection
Anal Glands
Wrinkles
Flatulence
Infected Ears
Dirty surroundings
Leaving them damp for a long time
Unclean Bedding
Dirty Paws
Wrong Products

Low-Quality Food

Your dog’s diet is the most important thing; it’s a thin line that can keep your pup strong and healthy or weak and can be easily infected or sick.

A poor diet, such as one that is high in carbs, may contribute to your dog’s flatulence, breath, and skin/coat odor.

That is why it’s essential to ask their vet for the proper diet for your French Bulldog.

Their diet can affect their skin, coat, breath, and overall health, some foods can make them bloated, and they may be allergic to something in their diet, and that’s what’s causing the bad odor.

You should make sure that their diet consists of high-quality ingredients and can provide them with all the nutrients they need, such as vitamins, fibers, fats, and proteins.

Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are a common issue in French Bulldogs, especially during the summer months when their skin is more susceptible to yeast infections.

One of the most common symptoms is having a very strong odor that can be described as similar to corn chips, grain, or popcorn, depending on the type of infection the dog has and where it’s spreading.

Here are the most common signs of yeast infection to help you out:

Itching and redness
Head shaking and tilting
Sores on the skin
Scaly and flaky skin
Loss of hearing
Weird odors
Changes in skin texture and color

If you notice one or a few of these signs, you need to take your French Bulldog to the vet.

**An*l Glands**

An*l glands, also known as anal sacs, are fluid-filled pockets that sit on either side of your dog’s an*s.

They produce a scent to mark territory and provide information about their health conditions.

Dogs will apply pressure on these glands to drain the fluid inside when they’re stressed or scared by rubbing up against furniture such as table legs, chair legs, or walls.

They also apply pressure on their glands when they are excited, happy, and playing, which is very common in Frenchies because of the way they play with everyone. Being so friendly and affectionate makes them rub up against people’s legs to show happiness and excitement.

If these glands aren’t drained naturally from time to time, then the fluid inside them will build up and cause pain, discomfort, or even infection.

Here are some of the most common signs of impacted anal glands:

Fishy smell
Scooting
Pain when pooping
Excessive Licking in that area
Sitting Down in discomfort
Rubbing their bottom on the Carpet

Wrinkles

French Bulldogs have a lot of wrinkles on their face and body, and these can trap moisture and bacteria, which causes an unpleasant smell.

You should clean these areas regularly with a damp cloth to prevent this from happening.

Flatulence

Flatulence, also known as farting, is the release of gas from the stomach through the mouth and nose.

It can be caused by different things such as eating too fast, drinking carbonated drinks, swallowing air, eating fatty foods, or having an intestinal infection.

If your French Bulldog is constantly farting, then they may have an intestinal infection that needs to be treated by a veterinarian. You can learn more about stomach problems that French Bulldogs have here.

Make sure you feed your Frenchie at least two times per day with the proper diet; this will help prevent gas and flatulence from happening all over again.

Infected Ears

French Bulldogs are prone to ear infections, especially when they have allergies or skin irritations.

Ear infections can cause an unpleasant smell and head shaking in dogs as well as pain, redness at the ear canal entrance, or even hearing loss if left untreated for too long.

Here are some of the most common signs that your French Bulldog may have an ear infection:

Smelly ears
Head shaking or tilting
Pain when touching their ears
Loss of hearing
Redness at the ear canal entrance

If you notice any of these signs, make an appointment with your veterinarian to get them checked out.

Dirty Surroundings

If your French Bulldog constantly smells bad, it could be because of their surroundings.

You should keep their surroundings clean and tidy; this will help prevent the dog from getting stressed out or anxious, which causes bad odors.

If you notice any changes in your Frenchie’s behavior, then it is time to start cleaning up around them more often because something might be causing them stress, like living with children who don’t take care of their toys or other animals that are territorial towards them.

If you don’t clean the surroundings, then it will lead to more bad odors and stress for both owner and dog, which can cause health problems like anxiety attacks, depression, weight loss due to lack of eating properly, etc.

Also, if your French Bulldog likes to spend lots of time outside, then it will have mud, dirt, or debris stuck in their coat as a result of them playing in a dirty environment or even tripping in some muddy water.

So, just make sure to clean them as soon as they get in the house.

Leaving Them Damp For A Long Time

If you bathe your Frenchie and don’t dry them off properly, the wetness will create a warm and moist environment that is perfect for bacteria to grow.

Bacteria can cause skin irritation, itchiness, redness, or even infection.

Make sure you towel-dry them as best as possible after every bath and brush their coat so the water doesn’t get trapped in their fur.

You can even dry them with a hairdryer that’s set on low or medium heat.

If you live in a humid climate, it is best to give your Frenchie a bath only when necessary because they will naturally start to smell bad after a few days due to the humidity.

Just like with hygiene, if you don’t groom your Frenchie properly, then their coat will become matted, and this will also lead to an unpleasant smell.

Unclean Bedding

French Bulldogs are stubborn, and they can’t clean themselves.

So, if you don’t clean their bedding regularly, then it will start to smell bad after a few days of use.

You should wash their bedding at least once every two weeks in hot water with detergent or bleach (if necessary).

Also, make sure the bedding is dry before putting it back on the bed to not get moldy or create an environment suitable for bacteria growth.

Dirty Paws

If your French Bulldog is always licking their paws, then it’s a sign that they’re trying to clean them because they smell bad.

Many different things can cause paw licking, but the most common reason is infection or allergies in the paw area.

Other causes of paw licking include:

Insect bites or stings
Contact dermatitis (a skin allergy)
Food allergies
Parasites, such as fleas or ticks

If your Frenchie is constantly licking their paws, make sure to take them to the veterinarian so they can get a proper diagnosis and start treatment if necessary. You can learn more about skin conditions that cause French Bulldogs to have paw damage here.

Or just dirty paws from playing outside in a muddy place or even playing in the snow, either way, you should clean their paws as soon as you get home because it won’t just make them smell bad it will also make your floor and carpet stain and stink.

Wrong Products

Your Frenchie can smell bad if you’re using the wrong products.

It is best to use shampoo and conditioner that is specifically made for dogs because human products have chemicals in them which are not safe for animals of any kind, including French Bulldogs!

You should also avoid shampoos with strong perfumes as these will irritate your dog’s skin and make their coat smell bad.

If you’re using a deodorizing product, it is best to use one that is made for dogs because human products can be harmful.

And finally, never use household cleaning products as these can be toxic to your Frenchie.

7 Tips To Make Your French Bulldog Smell better.

Clean Their Wrinkles Regularly
Use High-Quality Shampoos and Conditioners
Improve Their Diet
Check On Their Ears Regularly
Dry Your French Bulldog Properly
Clean Their Bedding Frequently
Take Them To The Vet

Clean Their Wrinkles Regularly

Just like humans, French Bulldogs have wrinkles in their skin, and these can trap bacteria if they’re not cleaned regularly.

You should use a damp cloth to clean the wrinkles on your Frenchie’s face at least once a day.

Be sure to dry them off afterward so that the wrinkles don’t become wet and start to smell bad.

Use High-Quality Shampoos and Conditioners

Shampoo and conditioner are important for keeping your Frenchie’s coat clean, soft, shiny, and smelling good.

You should use shampoo made specifically for dogs to avoid any skin irritation or allergic reactions.

After you wash them with shampoo, make sure to rinse them out thoroughly, and then apply a conditioner that will keep their coat soft and shiny while preventing any matting or tangling.

If you’re using human products, be careful because they can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs, which will lead to itching and scratching of the skin as well as a foul odor from their fur, especially if the products aren’t rinsed out properly.

Improve Their Diet

If your Frenchie’s diet consists of mostly processed foods, they’re going to smell bad.

Dogs are meant to eat a diet that is made up of mostly protein and fat with very few carbohydrates. Processed food contains high levels of carbohydrates which can cause an increase in body odor for dogs.

A diet that includes high-quality protein from animals such as chicken or fish will be the best option for your Frenchie because it will keep them healthy and smelling good!

Check On Their Ears Regularly

Earlobes are common areas where French Bulldogs get infections and these can cause a bad smell.

If you’re noticing that your Frenchie is constantly shaking his head, it’s a good idea to check them for any redness, swelling, or discharge.

If you find anything wrong, take them to the veterinarian so they can start treatment.

Dry Your French Bulldog Properly

Drying your Frenchie properly after a bath is important because if they’re wet and don’t have any air to circulate, it will cause bacteria to grow which will lead to an unpleasant smell.

Make sure you use a towel to dry them off thoroughly and then use a hairdryer set on low heat if necessary.

If you don’t want to use a hairdryer, you can also let them air-dry.

It is best not to use warm air because it will cause the skin and fur to become damaged over time which could lead to an infection or bad odor.

Clean Their Bedding Frequently

If your Frenchie spends a lot of time on their bedding, it’s important to clean it regularly so that they’re not sleeping in bacteria and/or dirt.

You should wash their bedding at least once every two weeks with hot water (120 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, depending on how much time they spend there each day.

Do not use fabric softener because it can irritate their skin and make them smell bad.

Take Them To The Vet

If your Frenchie is consistently smelly, even after following all of these tips, it’s a good idea to take them to the veterinarian for a check-up.

There could be an underlying medical condition that is causing the bad odor, and only a professional will be able to diagnose and treat it.

If you’re following all of the tips in this article, your Frenchie’s smell should start to improve within a few weeks.

However, if the smell persists or gets worse, it is best to take them to the veterinarian for a check-up.

Hopefully, following these tips will help keep your Frenchie’s smell under control! If you have further questions or concerns, it’s recommended to contact your veterinarian immediately. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Do French Bulldogs Stink? 11 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Stink