My dog smells like dead fish. Help!

Question

My dog found the remains of decaying fish that were obviously cleaned and filleted quite some time ago near our lake home. She now smells like dead rotten fish. Anyone have a remedy to suggest? I have tried tomato juice, apple cider vinegar and numerous 'specialty shampoos' and home remedies, however nothing seems to work. PLEASE Help!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

My daughter's dog rolled in a dead deer carcass. She got her husband to give him a regular dog bath which worked. It might pay to take him to groomers and let them solve the problem.

Lillyz · Answer

my dog got skunked not to long ago. The vet recommended 3% peroxide and baking soda. I think I was supposed to put a little soap in there too. I put it in a spray bottle and sprayed him with it and then took him a regular bath. Got the smell out.

Amy Lindstrom-Sternot · Answer

I'll give that a try. Thank you do so much for your help Lillyz.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Check with the vet. If the doggie ingested some of this it may be his body odor as a result. Much like people eating garlic they tend to emit a odor for a few days. 
Our dog is always getting into dead animals when he hangs out with the rest of the pack on the farm. We use lots of shampoo, L'Oreal cause he's worth it and my wife works there so its cheep,, but he always comes home fresh and clean smelling. But if after all those cleanings he still has a odor, Check with vet, they may want to see the pooch to make sure something else is not going on.

Amy Lindstrom-Sternot · Answer

That's very interesting. How long would this effect last if she had ingested the fish?

Shelli Barnes · Answer

I would use white vinegar. Go ahead and bathe him as usual, rinse well, then pour white vinegar all over him, let it set just for a minute then rinse thoroughly. If he still smells after he's dry, (wait a couple of days) I would sprinkle baking soda down into his fur to further neutralize the smell in his coat. Good luck :) They love that old dead stinky stuff don't they? Lol!

Debra · Answer

Look on line for the Skunk odor remover recipe, it truly works. Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, blue dawn dish soap.. correct measurements will be on the recipe, but it works and is safe. Good luck

Amy Lindstrom-Sternot · Answer

Thanks Debra I appreciate the idea. She's been sprayed by a skunk before and I've gotten rid of that smell in the past. This stink is definitely the worst one I've ever dealt with. Interesting stinky little mystery (or should I say stinky BIG mystery). :-)

Grady · Answer

She could have come upon dead fish once. My male bluetick coonhound ate some dead fish once and we brushed his teeth and took him to the vet and that solved the problem.

Amy Lindstrom-Sternot · Answer

Thank you all for your helpful advice. Desi is back to smelling like her doggy self. I used a combination of cures and found that the odor was an internal effect due to eating the same (spoiling) fish over the course of about a week. I kept Desi on her leash or inside until I found the remains she had been feasting on - YUCK !!! The smell worked it's way out of her system - which took about 3 days. Of course her breath will never be minty fresh, but I can deal with everyday doggy breath. Again, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared their advice...and experiences. If I am ever stumped with a problem and need help I know I can rely on my Hometalk friends.

Charlie · Answer

If he ate it, he will have bad breath, get a pet toothbrush and clean his tongue and teeth.

Deb K · Answer

Hi Amy, remember tomato juice helps with skunk, it likely helps with rotten fish smell too. Glad you got it cleared up.☺️

Mogie · Answer

We used Natures's Miracle.

My dog smells like dead fish. Help!

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My dog smells like dead fish. Help!

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