Why does my dog smell funny during the fireworks??

[Idratherbepaddleboarding]

My dog is terrified of fireworks and last night he was so stressed. He wanted to go in the spare room for some reasons so I got in the bed with him and put calming music on but there was a horrible smell in the room which I thought was coming from the tortoises as they were eating. It smells sort of… salady but not very nice!

Tonight he is managing OK so far with F1 on the TV loud. I think the drone of the cars is helping but unfortunately some went off while we were all in the kitchen getting our tea (he wouldn’t even eat second tea and he’s a Labrador!) and the smell is back but downstairs. It must be coming from him. It’s not his anal glands as he’s released them when scared before and that is definitely a different smell 🤢. Does anyone know what it could be??

Stress hormones/sweat.

The smell of fear ( hormones,clammy sweaty dog(

Fishy smell? He may have emptied his anal glands. They can do this as a fear response

Anal glands

Definitely not anal glands I’d know that smell anywhere 🤢. Must be so sort of hormone and I do have a very strong sense of smell! Poor thing, the race is over now, maybe I’ll have to try to find an old one for him?

Yes it's this , my last dog used to just stink when he was stressed which tbh was most of the time. It was a horrible oniony smell. I hope your dog is OK

Also it might be sweaty paws due to stress .

His paws do smell especially strong tonight but I love the smell of his paws 😳. It’s not his body, more the air around him! But yes, oniony/ vegetably is probably the best description.

He’s doing really well, we have classic FM now and he’s panting and sitting staring T the front door (from the living room) but he isn’t hiding or doing big stress yawns anymore. He won’t come and settle with me on the sofa though which would be the best place for him to feel secure and he usually loves to cuddle on the sofa with me. So we’re both sitting on the floor 🙈.

I'd just let him do what he wants with you giving reassuring noises maybe givehim a biscuit now and again. It's just horrible for them.

My Newdog isn't bothered I was worried because of past experience but he's fine.

Yes it is a hormone thing - you smell it if you ever go to the pound. I fucking hate fireworks. Not the fireworks so much, but the fact any idiot can buy them and set them off at all times, and you cant anticipate them. My 12 year old poodle cross has spent the last few nights shaking, whining and crying. Even with Xanax on board.

You're literally smelling his fear.

Really? That’s awful, poor dogs!

He’s made it to the sofa. And lying down but still on high alert. He seems to like the sound of the lady’s voice on classic FM but the adverts are winding him up again 🙈. I’m weirdly proud of him for being such a brave boy though 🥰.

You should be @Idratherbepaddleboarding! My other dog and the cats are completely not phased, but the older dog has been getting worse and worse. And I moved a few years ago to discover that the people opposite have a massive fireworks party every year - my poor old girl was frantic, she even got into the cat litter box at one point to try and hide!!!! Last year I drove up to the moors for a few hours to try and avoid it all. This year we are doing Xanax, snoods, wrapping in a blanket and very very loud tv and radio on every room. Thank god my neighbours are away!

I wouldn't give any reassuring noises as the dog might interpret this as you agreeing that there is something to be scared of. Just carry on about your business, and an occasional treat for the dog.

That may work for some situations but my dog is so distressed that holding her and talking to her is the only way to help her.

Soothing classical music and my company are the only things that work for my pair. Classic fm every fireworks night.

I love fireworks, but I strongly believe that only sparklers should be sold to the general public.

Poor dogs! We’re lucky that we live rurally and it’s all gone quiet here and he’s gone to sleep 🥰. I guess tomorrow will be worse though for household fireworks?

Been loud bangs near me since 6 pm and still going on.
As soon as one lot stop another lot get going. Doggie is stressed to bits - I have tried classical music and now resorted to a white noise machine.

I wish those who dismiss the problem could just see her and all your dogs to realise how callous and mean-spirited they are being.

Bless him he's a good boy 💙

Mine was terrified earlier as they were so loud the windows were rattling 🤬

But he calmed down fairly quickly and he's just been out for a wee with no issues, had his bedtime treat and is now snoring his head off under the covers 😂

We tried supplements this year which helped - he was still scared but it didn't last anywhere near as long as in previous years.

We had supplements and some Xylkene I think it's called but didn't work. He was shaking and wouldn't even take a high value treat. Shaking, panting. Poor boy

Tonight we have hit the jackpot and had no stress or funny smell, even though there were lots more fireworks 🥰. I think I’ve worked out that his concern is for the members of the family that aren’t in the room with him, bless him he’s concerned for our safety! I think that’s why he wanted to be upstairs on Friday, as DS was upstairs.

I took him to an indoor dog arena with a friend’s dogs at 6pm (it was booked before he I knew how scared he was, I knew he’d be secure in there and I’d hoped it would fire him out). My friend’s dogs were not phased by the fireworks going off and neither was ours as he was too busy chasing the ball. I think he may have been calmed too by the other dogs not being bothered. Now he’s too knackered to care 😂. Next year I’m booking the arena every night over bonfire night!

Just seen this post.

Pleased to hear that you've found a way to distract your dog OP. Hope it works for him every year.

It was awful here last night with fireworks and for the first time I noticed that my dog smelled very sweaty - she's small so the smell wouldn't be a noticeable as it would with a larger dog but it was very obvious.

The only way my dog copes is by being held on my lap. She will come and find me as soon as the bangs start and we sit, with the television on to try to cover some of the bang, until the bangs stop.

I hate fireworks. God knows how the poor wild animals cope it must terrify them.

Aww I'm glad he was fine and had fun at the dog park.