What this means
Healthy dog skin feels dry to the touch and the coat is clean and light. When the skin becomes oily, sticky or damp and the coat clumps and turns greasy, the change is usually noticed on your fingers, hand or bedding, and a sharp, unpleasant smell comes with it. Sometimes the skin looks shiny, sometimes it carries a yellow or brown waxy layer.
Greasy, damp skin makes a favourable environment for bacteria and yeast to multiply, so they often join an original problem. The original cause may be allergy, a hormone disorder or altered oil production by the skin. That is why it matters not only to see the infection but to find what let it develop.
Look at where the skin is greasiest: in the skin folds, ears, armpits, groin, between the toes, or all over the body. Notice whether your dog scratches or licks, whether the skin is red, darkened or thickened, and whether hair has fallen out. Also note whether the smell came on suddenly or has built up slowly.
Frequent bathing does not remove the cause and can irritate the skin further. Write down when the change began and show your dog to a vet.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Bacterial or yeast infection
Microorganisms multiply in greasy, damp skin and cause smell, redness, crusts and itching. Infection often joins another problem.
About the condition: Skin infections -
Allergy
In skin irritated by allergy, oil production and the growth of microorganisms rise. The dog scratches and licks, and the skin becomes greasy and smelly.
About the condition: Allergies (food, skin and environmental) -
Hormone disorders
Some hormone disorders change the skin's oil production. The skin turns greasy, the coat thins, and weight or energy may change as well.
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Moisture in skin folds
Moisture and oil collect in skin folds and where skin rubs, causing smell and inflammation.
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Altered oil production in the skin
In some dogs the skin makes more oil than it needs and stays sticky, with flakes. A vet needs to establish the cause.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Where the skin is greasiest: folds, ears, armpits, groin, between the toes or everywhere
- Whether there is an unpleasant smell and when it began
- Whether your dog scratches, licks or rubs
- Whether the skin is red, darkened or thickened
- Whether there are flakes, crusts or pustules
- Whether weight, thirst or energy have changed
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if the skin has been greasy, damp or smelly for more than a few days, or if your dog is scratching, the skin is red or hair is falling out.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
Body systems: Skin and coat