Animals are important members of many households. Although a pet parent may love a wagging tail or the sweet purr of love, he or she may not enjoy the odors that usually permeate from a pet.

All animals give off some type of aroma. Humans have different grooming products that can help them smell fresh and clean. Pets cannot control their own odor and must rely on their owners to address any issues. There are different ways to keep smells at bay and prevent new ones from happening.

Identify the odor

Pets emanate odors for different reasons. Some aromas may be linked to the pet, while others may involve the pet’s waste. Still others may be indicative of illness and should be treated immediately. Once the source of the smell is identified, it is easy to take action to alleviate it.

Clean pets

Naturally, a clean animal smells much better than a dirty one. Dogs and cats may accumulate bacteria in their fur as well as organic matter that gets stuck and decays. When animals groom themselves, the saliva applied to the fur through licking also may be prone to bacteria growth; and eventually their fur can start to smell. Pet owners with dogs or cats that have long fur around the face may find their pet’s fur gets dragged through the water bowl and food dish, attracting particles that can end up leading to smells.

Some pets also engage in “scent camouflage,” according to veterinarian Janet Crosby. The pet may roll around in the grass or something odoriferous to mask his own scent, and this can also be a source of foul odors.