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Dog Smell on the Dog: Wipes and Shampoos for Between Baths

Most dog odor comes from a damp coat, dirty bedding or built-up skin oil. Dry, brush and wash the bedding first, then use wipes to freshen between baths.

By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read

Time
20 min
Cost
Under $20
Difficulty
Easy
A rumpled dog bed on a wooden floor with a folded towel and a soft brush beside it
In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Free vs. permanent fix
  3. What you'll need
  4. Why it happens
  5. Try this first (free)
  6. When free fixes aren't enough
  7. Buy the fix
  8. Dog smells? Find the spot before you pick a product
  9. What to skip
  10. FAQ
  11. Related problems

Quick answer

How to get rid of dog smell on dog: most of the time the cause is a damp coat, dirty bedding or built-up skin oil. Brush the coat, dry it all the way down to the skin, wash the bedding weekly and wipe the paws, belly and face. Deodorizing dog wipes freshen the coat between baths. A sudden, strong or yeasty smell is a reason to call the vet.

Free fix vs. permanent fix

Free fix · 20 minutes

Brush, dry and wash the bedding

  • Brush out loose hair, dander and dirt
  • Towel and air-dry the coat until the skin feels dry
  • Wash the bed, blankets and collar every week
  • Wipe paws, belly and face with a damp cloth

How long it lasts: A few days to a couple of weeks. The coat picks the smell up again from dirty bedding or a damp day.

Most readers choose Permanent fix
Deodorizing dog wipes (illustration)
Illustration

Deodorizing dog wipes for between baths

Wipes lift the oils, dirt and bacteria that cause odor from the coat and skin folds without a full bath. That keeps the smell down without drying out the skin by shampooing too often.

What to get: Deodorizing dog wipes

How long it lasts: Each wipe-down keeps the coat fresh for a few days, so baths can stay spaced out.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you'll need

  • Soft grooming brush

    Pick one that suits the coat. Brush before any wipe or bath

    You have it

  • Towels

    For drying the coat down to the skin

    You have it

  • Fragrance-free laundry detergent

    For the bed, blankets and collar

    You have it
  • Our pick
    Deodorizing dog wipes (illustration)
    Illustration

    Deodorizing dog wipes

    Made for dogs, alcohol-free and light on perfume

    Check price
  • Deodorizing dog shampoo (illustration)
    Illustration

    Deodorizing dog shampoo

    For the monthly bath. Never use human shampoo

    Check price

Why it happens

1

A coat that stays damp

A wet dog smell comes from bacteria and yeast that thrive in damp fur. A thick or double coat can stay wet next to the skin long after the top feels dry.

2

Dirty bedding, blankets and collars

Dog beds and collars soak up oil, saliva and dirt. When the dog lies back down, the smell goes straight back into the coat.

3

Skin oil and dirt in the folds

Oil builds up in skin folds, on the paws and around the tail base. That is why some dogs smell even soon after a bath.

4

Ears, mouth or anal glands

Many smells blamed on the coat are really from the mouth, ears or rear. Bad breath, dirty ears and full anal glands all smell strongly.

5

A skin problem

Allergies and yeast or bacterial infections give the skin a musty, greasy or sour smell, often with itching or redness. That needs a vet, not a deodorizer.

Try this first (free)

Do these in order, starting with the simplest.

  1. Find where the smell comes from

    Sniff the coat, ears, mouth, paws and the base of the tail. If one spot smells much stronger than the rest, fix that spot first.

  2. Brush out the coat

    Tool used: Soft grooming brush

    Brush a few times a week, daily for long coats. It removes dander, loose hair and dirt that hold odor.

  3. Wash the bedding and the collar

    Tool used: Fragrance-free laundry detergent

    Wash the bed cover, blankets and collar once a week in warm water, using a fragrance-free detergent. Follow the care label, and dry everything fully.

  4. Dry the coat all the way

    Tool used: Towels

    After a bath, swim or rainy walk, towel the dog dry, then let it air-dry or use a low-heat setting until the fur feels dry down to the skin.

  5. Wipe between baths

    Tool used: Deodorizing dog wipes

    Wipe the coat, paws, belly and skin folds with a dog wipe after walks. Avoid the eyes and the inside of the ears.

    Deodorizing dog wipes (illustration)
    Illustration

    Tool for this step

    Deodorizing dog wipes · Made for dogs, alcohol-free and light on perfume

    Check price on Amazon

When free fixes aren't enough

If the bedding is clean and the coat is dry, but the dog smells again within a day or two, the cause may be skin, ears or teeth, and a deodorizer will only cover it. Call your vet for a strong yeasty, musty or fishy smell, a smell that returns right after a bath, scratching, red or greasy skin, hair loss, head shaking, ear discharge or bad breath. Wipes are for freshening a healthy coat, not for treating an infection.

Buy the fix

Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.

Our picks compared
PickProductFixesWho it's forBuy
Best pick
Deodorizing dog wipes (illustration)
Illustration
Deodorizing dog wipes
coat and skin odor between baths Dog owners who want a fresher dog without bathing every week, especially after walks and park days. Check price
Upgrade pick
Deodorizing dog shampoo (illustration)
Illustration
Deodorizing dog shampoo
the deeper odor a wipe cannot reach Dogs that are due for a bath and need more than a wipe-down. Check price
Best pick
Deodorizing dog wipes (illustration)
Illustration

Deodorizing dog wipes

Fixes: coat and skin odor between baths

Look for: Made for dogs, not baby or household wipes; Alcohol-free and light on perfume; Thick enough that they do not tear on a larger coat.

Who it's for
Dog owners who want a fresher dog without bathing every week, especially after walks and park days.
Honest downside
The skin is broken, red or infected. Ask a vet what to use first.
Check price on Amazon
Upgrade pick
Deodorizing dog shampoo (illustration)
Illustration

Deodorizing dog shampoo

Fixes: the deeper odor a wipe cannot reach

Look for: Formulated for dogs, since dog skin differs from human skin; Mild and soap-free, with no harsh dyes; A puppy-safe label if the dog is a puppy.

Who it's for
Dogs that are due for a bath and need more than a wipe-down.
Honest downside
Your vet has prescribed a medicated shampoo. Use that instead.
Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.

How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on veterinary and grooming guides on dog skin, coat and odor, pet care labels, and the problems and fixes people report in owner reviews. We do not test products by hand.

Dog smells? Find the spot before you pick a product

  • Whole coat smells: damp fur, dirty bedding or oil. Brush, dry, wash the bed and wipe.
  • Paws: wipe after walks and dry between the toes.
  • Ears: a sour or yeasty smell, dark discharge or head shaking means a vet visit.
  • Mouth: breath that smells foul points to teeth, so ask the vet about dental care.
  • Rear: a sharp fishy smell can mean the anal glands, which a vet or groomer can check.

What to skip

Scented sprays, essential oils and human shampoo

Perfume masks smell without removing it. Many essential oils, including tea tree, can harm dogs, and human shampoo is not made for dog skin. Use products made for dogs, and check with your vet if you are unsure.

Frequently asked questions

Puppy smells even after bath. What is going on?
Often the coat is still damp near the skin, or the bedding is putting the smell right back. Puppies can also have ear, mouth or skin smells. Dry them fully and wash the bed. If the smell stays, ask the vet.
Can I use baby wipes on my dog?
Wipes made for dogs are a better choice, since dogs lick their paws and coat. Baby and household wipes can contain fragrance and ingredients not meant to be licked.
How often should I bathe a smelly dog?
Many healthy dogs do fine with a bath every month or two, but coat, skin and activity change that. Bathing too often can dry the skin, so use wipes between baths and ask your vet if the skin is sensitive.
Why does my dog smell like corn chips?
A mild corn-chip smell on the paws is common and usually comes from the normal bacteria and yeast on the skin. A strong smell with licking, redness or hair loss should be checked by a vet.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure

Deodorizing dog wipes (illustration)
Illustration

Our pick: Deodorizing dog wipes

Check price