score:
0

Why does my dog have a metallic smell?

Why does my dog have a metallic smell? Could she be internally bleeding?

1 Answer

Sort by » oldest newest most voted
score:
1

This smell is most commonly associated with the anal glands. Dogs have two glands on the inside of their rectum that secrete a material with a very distinct smell. This is a marking mechanism and is specific to each dog. They should express on their own, each time the dog defecates and the stool applies pressure to the glands. If a dog is having trouble expressing these glands naturally (either due to soft stool, anatomy issues, etc.), they can get backed up. Dogs will lick their rear ends, scoot their bottoms along the carpet, etc. to try and help them express. It's unlikely there is any internal bleeding, but it would be a good idea to have your vet check the anal glands to make sure there isn't an issue with those.

Comments

I Express my girl's glands regularly and at times I still smell a metallic smell on her breath. Is there something else I need to do?

My dog also smells metallic, but after going outside. It has nothing to do with his anal glands either. Even if I open my window and he sniffs the air for a while, he gets a metallic scent. I know nothing is wrong with him because it’s always been like that, I’m just interested in why.