Why Do Dogs Roll in Stinky Stuff?

Last week, on a walk, it happened. We were strolling along, happy as can be, taking in all the sights and sounds around us, and Jones stopped, looked right in my eyes, and started the dreaded tumble….

Why do dogs roll in stinky stuff?!

Of course, I wasn’t quick enough to stop her in time to avert the crisis, and we both came out of it smelling like I don’t know what – but it wasn’t pleasant!

Why do dogs do this? It’s such a common thing – every dog in my life has done it, and while they have no qulams about the behaviour, it’s nothing short of gross for us, their pet parents.

So, what’s the deal? What’s behind this gag-worthy peculiarity, what, if anything, can we do to stop it, and what are the next steps if you stop it too late?

Why Do Dogs Roll in Stinky Stuff?

This is a very common (if gross to us) dog behaviour, and there are several theories about why dogs do it. It’s probably a mix of instinct, sensory satisfaction, social communication, and just plain fun.

Some of the main ideas:

1. Instinct/Ancestry
   Dogs descend from wild canids (wolves etc.) who may have rolled in strong scents – dead animals, fecal matter, decaying plants – in order to:
   • Mask their own scent (so prey wouldn’t smell them) or hide from predators. 
   • Bring back information about something in the environment (e.g. “I found this food source” or “this area smells interesting”) for the rest of their pack. 
2. Sensory Enrichment
   Dogs experience the world heavily through smell. Rolling in strong or novel scents gives them rich sensory input – smells on their fur, smell under their nose, etc. It can be stimulating/pleasurable.
3. Communication/Social Signalling
   By carrying a strong scent, the dog may be signalling something to other dogs (or even just marking territory by scent transfer). Returning from a smelly roll may be like “look what I found”.
4. Fun/Pleasure
   Sometimes it’s purely because it feels good. A roll in dirt or grass may scratch itchies, or give physical pleasure (rolling, rubbing), or simply be playful. 

Here are a bunch of the common things that dogs often roll in:

• Grass (freshly mowed or lush). Why? Lots of smells (other animals, people, soil), cool to roll in, comfortable texture.
• Dead animals/carrion. Why? Very strong, pungent smell. It may serve to “tell others” or simply be irresistible in terms of scent novelty. 
• Poop/Feces/Vomit. Especially animal poop. Strong scent, always available. 
• Dirt/Mud/Wet Soil. Why? It holds smells (rotting leaves, microbes), changes texture, cooling effect. Mud especially can help with itch or heat.
• Other organic decaying material (rotting leaves, carcasses, plants, sometimes seaweed)
  Smell, moisture, and decomposition all produce strong odour cues.
• Sometimes toys/objects with strong scent. If a toy is very “used”, or smells of something else, may roll to spread/drench in that smell.

What You Can Do to Discourage It

If you’d prefer your dog not roll in smelly stuff (for your own sanity, for neighbourhood etiquette, etc.), here are a few tactics to try:

1. “Leave it”
   • Teach “leave it”, even with distractions.
   • Use positive reinforcement (treats, praise) when they respond, so you can call them away from temptation.
   • Use leash (or long-line) in areas known to have lots of stinky temptations. 
2. Distraction
   • Watch ahead when walking; steer your dog away from potential odours (dead animals, poop, smelly vegetation).
   • Keep your dog occupied (play, training games, sniff work) so attention isn’t just on smells.
   • If off leash, choose clean areas, or check terrain before allowing free roam.
3. Prevent Access
   • Keep your dog leashed where there are dead animals or a lot of smelly hazards.
   • Clean up your yard (remove carcasses, clean up poop) so there’s less chance of encountering something disgusting.
4. Regular Enrichment and Exercise
   • Ensuring physical and mental stimulation reduces boredom, which can sometimes underlie “gross behaviour”.
   • Scent games, puzzle toys, walks, varied environments help satisfy your dog’s exploratory drive.

Time for a Bath? Choosing a Pet-Safe Shampoo

Ok, you got caught in the same situation that I did with Jones – seeing it happen in slow motion, but knowing no matter what you were too late to stop it. It’s time for a bath.

Bathing your dog using safe, non-irritating products is key. Here is our criteria on what to look for, and tips for how to pick a shampoo that’s safe and effective.

• For Pets ONLY. Choose a shampoo with a pH formulated for dogs. Human shampoos often are too acidic/basic and can strip natural oils or irritate skin – never use your shampoo on your pup!
• Research that ingredient list. If you don’t know what something is, find out and make sure it’s not known to be harmful or irritating. Many problematic ingredients hide behind complex chemical names. Fewer ingredients can mean fewer chances for irritation, allergic reactions, or unnecessary additives. Avoid harsh sulfates, strong artificial fragrances, dyes, and parabens.
• Go organic whenever possible. Certified organic ingredients tend to have stricter testing/regulation and fewer synthetic chemicals, which may reduce risk of irritation or chemical exposure.
• Don’t be fooled by “natural” on the label. “Natural” is not regulated strictly; lots of shampoos will say “natural” but include synthetic fragrances, potential irritants, or even toxic ingredients. Always check the ingredient list.
• Rinse thoroughly. Leftover shampoo or residue can trap odours or cause irritation.

[RELATED] We have more on choosing a pet-safe shampoo at this post.

Is This Harmful? When to Worry

Usually, this behaviour isn’t harmful in itself, though it can be unpleasant for the owner. Most of the time, our biggest worry is the stench they’re bringing home.

However, there are times when you want to be extra careful:

• If the thing your dog rolled in has parasites, toxins, or bacteria (e.g. dead animals, spoiled food, feces), there may be a health risk.
• If it happens very frequently, or the dog has a lot of skin irritation, odour, or if fur gets matted etc., there may be underlying skin health or behaviour issues.
• If your dog eats what it rolled in, that adds risk (poisoning, parasitic infection).

If you suspect any of that, checking with your trusted veterinarian is wise.

So, why do dogs roll in stinky stuff? Despite how it feels at the time (even with the direct eye contact), they don’t do it to annoy us or gross us out. There could be a few different, totally sensible (in their eyes) reasons. That doesn’t make it any less yucky, though. So next time, if you’re too late for a leave it or another distraction, take a breath (ok, not too deep), grab your pet-safe shampoo, and scrub up.