How to wash fox poo off your dog

If you’re reading this article, then you’ve obviously got a dog that’s known in the trade as a ‘roller’. This article explains what to use to clean your dog to get rid of the smell of fox poo, why dogs do this and how to stop them doing it again in future.

When you have foxes in your local area then a normally simple task, such as letting your dog into the garden or off the leash in the local park, can quickly turn into a smelly nightmare.

You’ve got to try and intercept them before they bring the poo into the house (or in the car) and then find a way of getting them into the bath without getting it on yourself.

All in all, it’s a horrible and time consuming job and after all that effort, there’s no guarantee that your regular dog shampoo will actually get rid of the stink.

So what can you use to wash your dog instead?

A dog shampoo designed for fox poo

As you know, fox poo is particularly pungent and the smell can linger even after you’ve washed your dog.

This is because a lot of dog shampoos don’t contain any form of deodoriser, so though the germs may be gone, the disgusting smell still remains – not nice for you and your family, even if your dog doesn’t mind!

What you need is a dog shampoo that is tough enough to get rid of the germs and remove the smell, while also remaining kind to your dog’s skin.

Animology Fox Poo Deodorising Dog Shampoo 250ml RRP £6

Animology is a British brand that specialises in pet care products and they have developed a fox poo-specific shampoo to use on dogs.

Not only does the shampoo contain the all-important deodoriser for getting rid of the foul smell of fox poo, the formula also is low on lather so that it’s easy to rinse, therefore avoiding the long drawn out process of trying to get all the suds out under the shower. This should be particularly reassuring for those with long-haired dogs.

The in-built conditioner, containing Pro Vitamin B5, ensures that the coat will be left soft, shiny and smelling much nicer, enabling you to let your dog near you again without wincing.

The Animology Fox Poo Shampoo is suitable for all breeds of dog and is gentle enough to be used on  puppies.

How to wash your dog – video demonstration

Why do dogs roll in fox poo?

There’s no definitive answer on why dogs love rolling in fox poo, cow pats, dead animals and other things we find disgusting. However it is worth noting that just because you find a certain smell unpleasant, it doesn’t mean your dog does.

Other members of the Canidae family, like foxes, place great importance on the smell of faeces ranging from territory marking to reminders of where food is buried.

It’s quite possible that the desire to roll in something smelly is a leftover instinct passed down from your dog’s ancestors as a way of showing the other members of the pack where they had been that day.

Alternatively, it could be as a way of disguising its own smell from prey, enabling the dogs to sneak up without being detected.

How to stop your dog rolling in fox poo

Dog behaviouralists are keen to point out that a dog rolling around in poo is not doing something strange or abnormal. It’s annoying to you the owner, but in terms of dog behaviour, it’s perfectly acceptable.

In order to discourage your dog from rolling in poo, then you could try a remote activated dog collar, whereby you press a button that causes a vibration in the dog’s collar when it is doing something you dislike.

Alternatively, you could just make a loud disapproving noise every time your dog does it so that it begins to associate rolling in poo with your displeasure.

If your dog likes to roll in fox poo in your garden, then the best way to stop it happening again is to get to the source of the problem and deter foxes from coming into your garden.