If you are wondering: “why does my dog smell like syrup?” it’s not an uncommon query. However, the reasons can sometimes be quite uncommon. Read on to find out what could be causing this.
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If you notice that your dog is emitting the sweet smell of maple syrup, there are many reasons which can be causing this the simplest one being that they possibly walked on maple syrup in your kitchen.
However, dogs’ fur and urine smell sweet like syrup in certain medical conditions. You should read this article to find the correct reason behind your dog’s unusual smell.
Why Does Dog Smell Of Maple Syrup?
The factors for your dog smelling like syrup depends on where it came from. The smell may come from your dog’s mouth, furs, or urine. There are three reasons possible for your dog to smell like maple syrup.
They were being naughty
Most dogs try to go through the trash and smell from there. If your dog’s body smells sweet, It is possible for your dog to get a maple syrup smell from your pantry or kitchen.
You should check your kitchen to obtain evidence of your dog’s action. You can also check your dogs’ mouth and see if it has something sticky near its tongue.
You must not worry if your dog ate maple syrup if it is safe for dogs to consume. However, if your dog overconsumes maple syrup, it will increase its sugar content. Lastly, check if the syrup was fake and contained xylitol xylitol is poisonous for dogs, so in such a case please call up your vet immediately.
Cudweed plants
Another reason your dog smells like maple syrup is the Cudweed plant. Your dog may find this plant in your garden and try to chew on it. The California Cudweed has a similar fragrance to maple syrup, and its leaves are sticky.
You should look for this plant in your garden to determine the reason for your dog’s smell. The plant has a faint smell like just like syrup and white flowers so you should look for white clusters. This plant is not toxic, but you should still stop your dog.
Diabetes
If you don’t find any evidence supporting the above reason for your dog smelling like maple syrup, then a specific medical condition is responsible. Dogs with diabetes might smell like maple syrup.
This condition happens in dogs that have too much sugar in their urine/blood.
You can smell a sweet aroma of maple syrup on your dog if it has diabetes. People also call this maple syrup urine disease because, in this condition, a dog’s urine smells fruity like maple syrup.
However, some dogs naturally have a sweet aroma all the time. If your dog smells sweet, it may not be because of any disease or something they ate.
Symptoms of Maple Syrup Urine Disease
Dogs with diabetes or maple syrup urine disease show some common symptoms that can help you identify whether your dog is physically fit or not. You may find your dog’s breath smells sweet in canine diabetes. Some common symptoms of maple syrup urine disease in early-stage, include:
- Weight loss
- Sweet urine smell
- Lack of energy
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Increased appetite
If you find any of these symptoms of MSUD in your dog, your dog is at an early stage of diabetes and can be easily treated. However, if your dog is left untreated, then diabetes will progress, and your dog will show these symptoms, including:
- Lack of appetite
- Depression
- Urinary tract infection
- Vomiting
- Failing eyesight
- Lethargy and exhaustion
Dog Breeds Susceptible to Canine Diabetes
Dogs who over-consume sugary, fatty foods or are obese can develop canine diabetes. However, some dog breeds, including pugs, beagles, Poodles, Fox Terriers, and Dachshunds are more sensitive to diabetes.
You should visit your vet and get your dog examined with a diabetes test to determine its severity. Some other factors can also cause diabetes in your dog, including age, obesity, and pancreatitis
Luckily, treatment for canine diabetes is available for dog owners.
What Should You Do When Your Dog Smells Like Maple Syrup?
If you worry about this change in your four-legged friend, you should first find its factor responsible for the sweet smell. There are some tips that you should follow if you notice this sudden change in your dog, including:
- Brushing: If your dog consumes maple syrup or chews Cudweed plants, brushing can help remove the smell from your dog’s mouth. You can also shower your dog if the smell comes from its fur.
- Balance diet: Your dog may have diabetes, which you should control using a balanced diet. Avoid giving your dog food that contains sugar or artificial flavor.
- Regular exercise: Exercising can help your dog keep it healthy and prevent it from developing a medical condition that makes them smell sweet.
- Visit a vet: Consult your veterinarian about your dog’s condition before starting any diet or exercise.
- Insulin injection: When your vet diagnoses your dog with diabetes, they will tell you to provide two doses of insulin injection after their meal for its treatment.
Answer to More Questions Related to Dog’s Sweet Smell
Why does my dog smell like vanilla?
It might need a bath! Clean out your dog’s anal region properly
Dogs have anal sacs that mainly produce the smell of vanilla. This sweet smell indicates that your dog needs a bath or to get its anal sacs clean. If you don’t clean them, the scent can change into a bad yeast-like smell. However, dogs with diabetes also have the smell of vanilla in their urine.
Why does my dog smell like syrup?
It might be linked to diabetes or MSUD, best get it checked by the vet.
Sweet-smelling dogs either ate maple syrup or had canine diabetes. If your dog’s mouth smells like syrup, there is a chance that your dog will get maple syrup from your kitchen. However, it is best for a dog owner to speak with a veterinarian if their dog’s urine smells fruity, as it might be linked to diabetes.
A Few Final Words
The reason behind your dog smelling like sweet syrup is possible because they ate your maple syrup in your absence. Chewing a Cudweed plant can also cause your dog to smell like maple syrup.
However, in some cases, your dog has certain medical conditions such as diabetes that cause this change in your dog. You should visit a vet and examine your dog for these smelling illnesses.
Thank you for reading we would love to hear your suggestions. If you had queries that were left unanswered, write to us in the comments and we will revert quickly.
There are other uncommon things like dogs chasing flies or grabbing at your arm, which you might also like to learn about. Keep reading our site for more such informative articles