Why Do Puppies Smell Good?

Newborn puppies smell charming because of how their bodies process their mother’s milk, which can inspire nostalgia for some people. Plus, there’s less bacterial contamination going on in their mouths, digestive systems, fur, and feet.

Have you ever wondered: why do puppies smell good or why can’t adult dogs smell the same? That’s because the reasons behind this aroma don’t last long, and the pups’ odor gradually changes as they mature.

What Do Puppies Smell Like?

While most people agree that puppies smell nice, not every dog is going to smell the same during their early months.

So, it’s usually hard to point your finger at what aroma reminds you of. That said, many dog owners find the scent close to one of these options:

• Vanilla malt
• Homemade biscuits
• Buttered toast
• Dairy cream

What Gives Puppies Their Distinctive Scent?

Here are the three main reasons behind that adorable pup scent:

1.   Puppy Breath Carries the Aroma of Milk

A major part of what an animal smells relates directly to what its diet looks like. For a tiny pup under three weeks, the sole source of nutrition is the mother’s breast milk.

You might wonder why the nursing mother doesn’t smell as charming as the little ones. After all, she’s the source of all that milk.

Well, you need to keep in mind that the babies take in the milk and digest it first. Then, traces of the altered chemical compounds float back to their breath.

So, it’s not really the same as fresh milk anymore.

That’s why some people believe that puppy breath is the main factor at play behind the distinctive pup aroma.

2.   Puppies Bodies Are a Clean Slate

You might think your pups poop like crazy and, therefore, must be filthy. Yet, they’re relatively clean.

For one, they still don’t have food remnants stuck between their teeth or halitosis on their tongues. They also don’t have dust, grim, and bacteria all over their coats.

In addition, assuming the litter is healthy, their digestive tracts should be free of parasite infestations.

In a way, this cleanliness leaves more room for the sweet vanilla-like milk aroma to linger and become more pungent.

3.   Puppies Are Reminiscent of New Beginnings

In the same way that people love how puppies smell, they also love fresh-cut grass, rainy soil, and babies’ heads.

Some people might claim that it’s the pheromones. While dogs can detect our pheromone signals, there’s no clear evidence that the opposite is also true just yet.

So, there might not be a precise scientific reason why all these things are particularly appealing to our senses. However, the common aspect here is that they all reflect a notion of purity and new beginnings!

How Long Do Puppies Keep Their Baby Scent?

In most litters, the weaning starts at three or four weeks and can last for a month or two.

You’ll likely notice a slight but detectable shift in the puppy’s breath during that period. That’s because the growing pup incorporates other food into his diet.

Once the pups are completely off their mother’s milk, the distinctive aroma should be mostly gone. Instead, you might notice unpleasant smells radiating from their breath or fur.

Can You Prolong a Puppy’s Scent?

As tough as it sounds, you can’t preserve your puppy’s aroma as he grows into an adult dog.

Some owners notice a whiff of the charming baby scent on their grown dogs. However, that only happens every now and then, and it’s usually not as intense as it once was.

That said, you can keep the foul odors at bay to let their natural aroma shine a bit.

Here’s how:

Tend to the Oral Hygiene

The main reason your buddy loses their puppy breath is the changes in their oral hygiene. As dogs get their permanent adult teeth, food particles, plaque, and bacteria take over.

Using dental chews can help, but they’ll rarely suffice on their own.

According to the American Kennel Club, you need to brush your pet’s teeth no less than three times weekly.

That might sound excessive at first, but it can save you a hefty bill on periodontal diseases.

Keep in mind that some chronic conditions can cause the poor pup’s breath to smell like urine, too. That’s why regular vet checkups are crucial to spot warning signs as soon as possible.

Set a Coat Maintenance Schedule

Aside from keeping up with oral hygiene, you need to be mindful of the debris the dog collects on his coat.

Canines have their crafty ways of getting themselves dirty, from rolling on dirt to drooling on themselves. Soon, their skins become breeding grounds for staph and yeast infections that lead to itching and body odor.

Usually, bathing once a month can keep the unpleasant odors and bacteria levels down.

However, breeds with oiler coats, like basset hounds, might need baths and grooming sessions more often. The dog’s activity level and environment are also factors to consider.

To take the guesswork out of it, you can bathe your little fellow the moment he starts to stink.

Prevent Bad Dietary Habits

Just like how the diet was the reason behind the sweet-milky aroma, it can also turn your pup stinky.

Here are a couple of common dietary mistakes to keep an eye out for:

Stealing Table Scraps

While there’s nothing particularly wrong with feeding your dog human food, it can sometimes affect their scent.

Eating pungent ingredients might not be a big deal for household members. After all, you’ll shower, brush your teeth, and change your clothes daily.

Meanwhile, the intense smell of something like cabbage will stay with your poor pup for long.

Coprophagia

It sounds disgusting, but some pups might eat their own fecal matter.

Coprophagia often happens when dogs have to poop around their living spaces. Their curiosity then pushes them to sniff and eat the feces, which can quickly turn their scent around.

However, if that’s not the case, then maybe your sneaky puppy is doing it during walks and could use some training.

Paul S.

Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament.com readers with the best answers to their questions.