How to Remove Skunk Odor From Your Dog

Though you'll find sprays and rinses at pet stores for removing skunk stinks, you rarely have the luxury of running to the store when a skunk strikes. Battle the odor with this homemade remedy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber Gloves
• Dog Shampoo
• Eye Drops Or Olive Oil
• Tomato Juice

1. Keep your dog outside if possible. It could take weeks to remove this noxious odor from your house.

2. Check her eyes. Skunk spray can irritate them. If they are red and irritated, add eye drops designed for humans to relieve the irritation.

3. Don rubber gloves and wash the dog thoroughly with dog shampoo. Rinse and dry her.

4. Douse her with tomato juice, which diminishes the stench. Use enough to soak the fur thoroughly. It might take several cans. Allow the tomato juice to soak in for 10 to 20 minutes.

5. Rinse out the tomato juice. Reapply it if the odor lingers.

6. If the tomato juice doesn't work or if you'd rather drink it than wash your dog in it, try a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and regular dish soap. Use about 1 qt of 3% peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and a drizzle of dish soap. Mix it well and add a cup of water if needed and then lather up your dog right away.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep skunks away by using garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and by bringing pet food indoors at night.

[nlper999]

on 9/16/2009 Last year I used up a product called "PDQ" that was a magic bullet for skunk, just spray on the part of the dog and the smell would go away. Since then, Ruby still keeps getting hit by skunks, but we have just got used to it. Less easy to tolerate is "skunk breath" from attempting to lick or grab the skunk by it's butt just as it delivers its load. Any suggestions for an internal remedy?

[laryb]

on 9/9/2009 I tried tomato juice and peroxide. Sorry to say it did not give me the desired results. My veterinarian used a very effective product “DoggiCLEEN Skunk Spay”. It got rid of the skunk stench on my dogs quickly and very effectively.

[ruby5]

on 8/31/2009 From personal experience: Tomato juice doesn't work at all. Regular soap does but only if you bathe at least 5 times. The peroxide mixture is pretty darn good. Leaves only a fairly faint, bearable smell.

[Hollygirl321]

on 11/9/2008 i have had my dog got sprayed...it was not pretty..........

[KFK1]

on 8/17/2008 Great suggestions, overall- but PEOPLE: FEBREZE IS TOXIC! It has all sorts of chemicals in it; its for fabrics, NOT to apply directly on your dog!! Dogs, like people, absorb things easily through their skin. So, please don't use Febreze to clean your dog...there are so many other gentle and effective and safe alternatives.