When you consider adding a four-legged friend to your family, you might wonder about their temperament or energy level. You don’t often think about the smell that might accompany your new dog. If you are thinking about bringing home a Maltipoo or already have one, you need to know how to best manage their doggy odor.
Maltipoos do not have a strong dog odor. As long as you keep up with their grooming, such as brushing their teeth and bathing them once every four to six weeks, you will be able to maintain their coat. Diet and skin issues can also cause odors in the Maltipoo, so be sure to consult a vet.
If you are concerned about the overwhelming dog smell in your home, here are a few things you should know about how this breed compares when it comes to smell.
Do Maltipoos Smell Doggy?
The good news is that your new Maltipoo is not likely to carry a strong odor with it. For the most part, they are very clean dogs though they still need regular grooming and baths. You might have some slight smell typical to all dogs, but it should not be overwhelming unless something is amiss with your pup.
Routine grooming is essential to keeping up with a clean and odor-free canine. This is a must-do item for all breeds and not specific to the Maltipoo. However, grooming this breed may require more care than other short-haired dogs.
How Often Should You Bathe a Maltipoo?
Bathing your dog is part of keeping your Maltipoo happy and healthy, as well as eliminating some of that natural doggy odor. While many people take their pups for a trim at the groomer and may have them bathed there, others prefer to take care of routine grooming on their own at home.
If you are doing it all on your own, how often should you be bathing your Maltipoo?
For the most part, you should only bathe your dog every four to six weeks. Each time you wash them, you strip the oils from their skin and fur. When cleaned too often, this leads to health problems such as dry skin and increased dander.
Be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo that contains nourishing ingredients like oatmeal. Always use a pet-friendly shampoo on your pup, such as this Oatmeal Formula from Wahl from Amazon.
Grooming Requirements
In addition to regular bathing, you will need to take care of your dog’s oral health. Their mouth is one source of odor that can be hard to control without regular cleaning. If you sniff your Maltipoo and only smell their bad breath, then it might be time to consider brushing their teeth.
It is best to get in the habit of doing this daily. Use toothpaste that is made specifically for dogs. Many of the leading brands have safe flavors for canines, which will appeal to their tastebuds. You can easily find dog tubes of toothpaste that taste like:
No matter what your pup’s preference may be, there is a toothpaste out there that they will enjoy getting a taste of every morning when you brush their teeth.
Cleaning around their eyes is equally important. Many Maltipoos have eye drainage that needs to be wiped up using a special wipe or a warm washcloth. Cleaning around their eyes takes just a few minutes, but it can yield big dividends when it comes to the odor of your dog.
When the fur around the eyes gets wet, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to a strong odor. Even if you don’t use a tear-stain remover, regularly cleaning their eyes can be highly beneficial to prevent it from turning into conjunctivitis.
Reasons Your Maltipoo Might Smell
Are you struggling with a Maltipoo who still has a doggy odor, even if you are keeping up with their routine grooming? There are a few reasons your dog may smell, even though this breed is not known for its pungent odor. A few reasons your Maltipoo may smell include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Inadequate grooming such as baths
- Diet
- Skin conditions
While the first two are pretty quickly resolved with more attention paid to their grooming, the last two are a bit more challenging to pinpoint and solve.
Resolving Diet
Diet and nutrition influence your dog’s coat, the health of their skin, and ultimately their smell. When something is amiss with their diet, you may notice a scent start to pop up on your dog even if you keep up with their hygiene.
Check the label of your dog’s kibble to ensure that it is made with high-quality ingredients instead of filler items. A simple switch to a different type of food might make all the difference in their smell.
You can talk with your veterinarian about the food they recommend for your Maltipoo, but here are a few key elements you should keep in mind when selecting food:
- No fillers (should be made from vegetables and real meat)
- All-natural labels
- Gluten-free
- Supplements to help with fur and skin health, joint issues, and digestion
If you decide to switch their food, be sure to do so slowly. Transition them away from the food they currently eat by mixing a small amount with their new kibble. This makes it easier on their sensitive digestive systems and increases the likelihood of a successful switch without any tummy upset.
Skin Conditions
For those diligent owners who have already examined their dog’s diet, it might be time to take your dog to the veterinarian for a once-over. Skin conditions like candida and yeast infections are relatively common and lead to odors that weren’t present before. If your Maltipoo never smelled in the past but has suddenly started, it could be the sign of an infection.
Unlike traditional doggy odors, a yeast infection will typically have a sweet smell. It can affect any part of the dog’s body, including the skin, ears, and paws.
In addition to the smell, candida also affects the skin’s overall appearance. It might turn red and become itchy for your dog. If the yeast infection is on the face or ears, you might notice that they spend a lot of time rubbing up against things and trying to scratch.
Alternatively, it could pop up as greasy or flaky skin. Because they are itching the skin, likely, there will also be hair loss in the affected areas.
This is one condition that you will want to make an appointment with your veterinarian to resolve quickly. It can be treated in several ways, including antifungal drops, antifungal ointments, special shampoos, or even oral medication.
Do Maltipoos Shed?
When it comes to the grooming of your Maltipoo, many people are curious how they stack up against hypoallergenic dogs like the Cavachon or the Newfypoo. The American Kennel Club states that no dog is truly hypoallergenic, but some may be better for allergy sufferers than others.
How Does the Maltipoo Fare on this Comparison?
Allergy sufferers can rejoice because the Maltipoo will be great for their symptoms. One of the most appealing parts of having this breed is having hair instead of fur. This means that they do not shed as much as other dogs.
Most people are allergic to the protein found in a dog’s saliva and urine. This protein can be passed from your dog’s mouth to the rest of their body as they groom themselves or bite at themselves. As the dander from their skin is shed into the home, you might notice increased allergy symptoms.
Fortunately, this can be resolved through regular brushing. Aim to brush your Maltipoo daily for at least a few minutes to get rid of loose dander in a controlled environment. It will be much easier for you to sweep up any loose hair or dead skin cells when you brush them regularly.
Other things you can do to minimize allergies with this non-shedding breed include:
- Replacing the air filters in your home more frequently
- Purchasing HEPA filters instead of inexpensive air filters
- Vacuuming or sweeping more often
- Switching from carpet to hard surface floors like wood or laminate
- Limiting where your Maltipoo is allowed in the house
With a few of these techniques and regular grooming, your Maltipoo will be easier on allergies if this is a concern for you.
Getting a Maltipoo Without a Doggy Smell
There is good news if you are thinking about adding a new dog to your family but are concerned about the potential odor. The Maltipoo is a relatively clean dog that needs minimal upkeep to smell fresh. With routine grooming and an excellent diet, you can rest assured that your dog will have very little doggy odor that makes your house smell like a kennel!
