A common challenge people have when trying to stop their Labrador from smelling is that they don’t know how to provide the necessary care. It can be hard on your wallet. Learn more about everything you need below!
Table of Contents
Feed your Labrador a high-quality food
Labradors are a breed of dog known for their high energy levels. Because of this, it’s essential to ensure they are getting the proper nutrients to keep them healthy and smelling fresh.
High-quality food will help ensure that your Labrador gets the right balance of proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. These all play a role in keeping your dog smelling good and staying healthy.
Feeding them excess protein can lead to bad breath. Extra protein is not used but remains in the body as waste material. So ensure you read those labels carefully, as dogs require about 25 percent protein on average (25 percent of daily calories from protein).
What to look for when purchasing high-quality foods:
High-quality dog food should contain chicken or lamb. If you can’t find these foods, look for whole grains, such as rice and oats, high in fiber. These ingredients will help your dog produce less gas, which is an additional benefit to consuming a good diet.
To ensure that the food is nutritious, look at the list of ingredients. Ingredients are listed in descending order to see meat items listed before grain products.
How to calculate the right amount of food to feed your Labrador:
It’s up to you to choose the right food for your Labrador, but it’s important to remember that your dog will have a specific requirement of calories per day.
Labradors should not gain or lose weight unless there is a medical reason. So, monitor their food intake and ensure they eat not too many calories per day.
As a rule of thumb:
- 50-pound Lab feeds 2-1/2 to 3 cups daily.
- 60-pound Lab feeds 3 to 3-1/2 cups daily.
- 70-pound Lab feeds 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups daily.
- 80-pound Lab feeds 3-1/2 to 4 cups daily.
- 100-pound Lab feeds 4-1/4 to 4-3/4 cups daily.
The benefits of feeding your Labrador a high-quality diet:
A high-quality diet will help ensure that your Labrador gets the right balance of proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins they need. When you feed your dog a healthy diet, it can help decrease or eliminate health problems. These problems include anal gland issues, yeast infections, and ear infections.
Brush your Labrador’s teeth at least 2 times per week
It’s essential to brush your Labrador’s teeth regularly to help keep them healthy and smelling fresh. Brushing your teeth at least twice a week would be best.
There are a few benefits of brushing your dog’s teeth regularly:
- It can help to prevent bad breath.
- Brushing your dog’s teeth can help avoid dental problems like cavities and gum disease.
- It’s an excellent way to bond with your pet.
How to brush your Labrador’s teeth:
1. Start by getting your Labrador used to having their mouth open by gently massaging their gums with your fingers.
2. Then, in a circular motion, use a toothbrush with soft bristles to brush their teeth.
3. Make sure not to scrub too hard, or you could damage your dog’s gums!
4. Finish using a canine toothpaste and toothbrush to give their teeth a final polish.
Keep your Labrador outside for several hours a day
Keeping your Labrador outside on the lawn is another way to get them to smell good. When they are out in nature, it will help them release toxins through perspiration and urination. For this reason, it’s essential to let them stay outside for several hours each day.
Tips for Keeping Your Labrador Outside:
- Ensure they have access to clean fresh water
- If it’s hot and humid outside, give your Labrador a bowl of ice cubes to keep them refreshed
- Provide them with a nice patch of grass to play on and rest on. If you’re worried about ticks and fleas, check their fur regularly for these pests.
How to Keep Your Labrador Active Outside:
Labradors are active dogs, so ensure they have plenty of opportunities to exercise outside. They should be allowed to play with other dogs, swim in the water, and walk regularly.
Labradors will run around energetically for several hours each day if you let them! However, ensure your Labrador is well-rested so they don’t become overtired.
Benefits of Keeping Your Labrador Outside
They’ll be much happier and healthier if you take the time to play with them outside regularly. Labradors are happiest when they can run around in nature, so it’s good for their health to let them out of the house! It’s also an excellent way to socialize your Labrador with other dogs.
Bathe your Labrador with a shampoo that can eliminate odors
It’s important to bathe your Labrador regularly with shampoo to help eliminate unwanted smells. The shampoo will help remove any dirt or bacteria causing their smell when you bathe them. Ensure to rinse their fur thoroughly after applying the shampoo to avoid residue. Only use “dog-approved” shampoos.
The right shampoo
Using the right shampoo is important because you don’t want to irritate their skin or make them smelly. A good shampoo will contain deodorizing and antibacterial properties that can help to remove odors.
Applying shampoo correctly
It’s vital to apply shampoo correctly so you don’t irritate your Labrador’s skin. Put some in your hands and gently massage it into their fur to use the shampoo. Work the shampoo down the entire length of their coat to ensure that they’re completely covered.
Rinsing thoroughly
It’s essential to rinse the shampoo out thoroughly to avoid residue in their fur. To prevent this from happening, you’ll need to use a large quantity of water and always start at their head when rinsing them off.
Benefits of regularly bathing your Labrador
There are lots of benefits to regularly bathing your dog! Bathing them with the right shampoo will help remove dirt, bacteria, and unwanted odors. It’s also a good way for both you and your Labrador to bond. Labradors like having baths, so they shouldn’t be too anxious.
Groom your dog regularly
Labradors need to be groomed regularly to keep them smelling nice and looking their best. Grooming is an essential part of your Labrador’s overall care and should not be neglected.
Keep up on medical care
Labradors are prone to several health problems, so they must keep up with their medical care. Some of the most common health problems include obesity, joint pains, and cancer.
Obesity
Labradors can quickly become overweight because they can eat large amounts of food. When you feed your Labrador, stick to the recommended portions. Also, please provide them with plenty of opportunities to exercise outside!
Joint problems
Labradors are susceptible to joint problems like arthritis as they age. Provide your dog with plenty of exercise and keep up with their medical care to prevent this from happening.
Cancer
As with most other dogs, labradors are at risk of developing cancer. Luckily there are a lot of different treatments available for this disease! Make sure you catch it early by regular veterinary check-ups and providing them with the necessary care.
Conclusion
To stop your Labrador from smelling, you’ll need to provide them with the proper diet, tooth care, time outside, and more. A healthy diet, brushing their teeth, and getting regular veterinary check-ups can help prevent them from developing any of these problems. If you provide your Labrador with the right care and attention, they’ll never stop smelling fresh and lovely!
FAQ
What if my Labrador does smell?
If you notice your labrador smells, it’s probably because they have some medical problem or aren’t being looked after properly. If this is the case, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
How often should I bathe my Labrador?
While there isn’t a set time frame for when you should bathe your dog, it’s recommended that you do so regularly.
What shampoo should I use on my Labrador?
It’s important that the shampoo doesn’t irritate their skin and kills bacteria! Choose an antibacterial shampoo with deodorizing properties.
How can I prevent my Labrador from smelling?
You can do quite a few things to prevent your Labrador from smelling! Ensure that they get enough exercise, have a healthy diet, make time for regular veterinary check-ups, brush their teeth, and bathe them regularly.
Are Labradors prone to health problems?
Yes. Labradors are susceptible to health problems like arthritis, obesity, and cancer. Schedule regular check-ups with your vet!
