Do French Bulldogs Smell? Why They Do & How To Stop It
Alex Vicente • Updated on August 21, 2023
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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Having a beautiful, loving French bulldog comes with quite a few challenges, from making sure their diets are healthy to making them exercise regularly.
Among the most challenging issues that French bulldog owners have to put up with is their puppy’s distinct scent.
This is natural for all dog breeds, but with Frenchies, the smell can get a little out of control sometimes.
Everything happens for a reason, though, and there are multiple dietary, medical, and hygienic causes as to why your Frenchie smells.
So, to avoid them stinking up your home, below, we’ll walk you through how to keep French bulldogs from smelling bad.
Table of Contents
Why Does My Bulldog Smell?
One of the things you need to be okay with when having a dog around is its natural scent.
It might be hard to grow accustomed to it at first, but sooner than later, you’ll be able to closely cuddle with them with no problem.
But what happens when your Frenchie’s natural smell starts to give in to a horrible stench that lingers onto your furniture, clothes, and the rest of your home?
It’s not a pretty scenario to find yourself in.
That’s why it’s important to know what can cause your French bulldog to smell in the first place.
Below, you’ll find five reasons why French bulldogs smell, one of which will most likely be the problem behind your Frenchie’s stinky odor.
1. An Unhealthy Diet
Malnutrition is a pretty common cause when it comes to smelly dogs.
Constantly feeding your Frenchie non-nutritious dog feed leads to bad breath and a gassy stomach.
It’s best if you make sure that your bulldog is getting enough natural nutrients and is staying away from artificial foods.
2. Digestive Problems
French bulldogs are known to have small stomachs and big appetites.
They munch down on their food too quickly and they eat almost anything.
As a result, Frenchies are always struggling with flatulence and other digestive problems that cause them to be pretty gassy.
As their caretaker, check that they’re pacing themselves during feeding times.
3. Improper Hygiene
Dogs are generally messy pets, which is why properly grooming them is an important part of maintaining their hygiene.
Clipping their nails, brushing their fur, and regularly brushing their teeth are just a few of the things you need to keep in mind.
Additionally, make sure that your Frenchie dries off well after a shower.
Otherwise, you’re allowing bacteria to foster in your puppy’s damp fur and cause them to smell.
4. Dirty Paws and Ears
The two parts of a Frenchie’s body that are most susceptible to catching bad smells are its paws and ears.
Your puppy’s paws take them everywhere, so they’re bound to be carrying around dirt, mud, and other bacteria-infesting particles.
Your dog’s ears are also home to dead skin cells and excess wax.
So, take the time to sanitize and clean your bulldog’s paws along with their ears, once or twice a week.
5. Unclean Bedding
Your Frenchie’s bed is where they likely spend most of their time.
They retire every night there, and over time, the bedding’s fabric will start to accumulate their shedded fur, dead skin, and the dirt on their paws.
Once a week, or every two weeks, wash the bedding with warm water and gentle-scented soap then let it air out.
This prevents the bad smell from rubbing off onto your French bulldog.
How Do I Keep My French Bulldog From Smelling?
A good place to start when taking care of your Frenchie is to stick to a consistent grooming schedule.
For starters, bath time for any dog needs to be two or three times a month at least. In the tub, make sure that you’re using a gentle soap.
Remember to stay away from their folds and skin wrinkles since shampooing them will cause irritation and itchiness.
Daily grooming activities, on the other hand, include brushing their teeth and cleaning their paws before bedtime.
Go the extra mile and treat your puppy’s fur with a mild cream that’ll protect them from bacteria building up in their coat.
Tips to Make Your French Bulldog Smell Better
Keeping in mind what makes your French Bulldog smell bad in the first place, all you need is to find smart solutions to counter those issues.
Your puppy’s eating habits, for example, can be easily fixed by purchasing them a slow-feeder dog bowl.
This can help pace them while nibbling on their food and prevent digestive problems.
If your Frenchie is difficult when it comes to brushing their teeth, consider buying them a dental chew toy.
You can fill it up with toothpaste and have them play and clean their teeth at the same time.
A final trick to help avoid your French bulldog from smelling is regularly cleaning their belongings and throwing them out when needed.
How Do I Properly Clean My French Bulldog?
To properly clean your Frenchie, here’s what you need to know:
- Daily clean their tail pockets with gentle baby wipes
- Use cotton swabs dipped in water and apple cider to clean their folds
- Bathe them in dog shampoo at least once a month
- Trim their nails once a week
- Wipe down their skin wrinkles daily
- Apply a dog-safe ear-cleaning solution every few days
- Brush their teeth as often as they’d let you
- During bath time, avoid getting shampoo in their folds or wrinkles
- Groom their paws and fur regularly
By following these tips, you’ll be keeping your French bulldog from smelling.
Wrapping Up
As a dog owner, you should constantly be on the lookout for any changes in your puppy’s scent or behavior.
If you find that something is off, it usually means there’s an issue with your puppy, be it its diet or its grooming habits.
Addressing such problems and strong scents as soon as possible might help prevent potential health risks from developing.
Keep your Frenchies strong, clean, and healthy!
About Alex Vicente
Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider
I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.