How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell from a Dog

Fencing and traps may help control skunks.

Once you stop gagging, getting your dog back to a normal smell after it encounters a skunk is your main goal. Skunk spray on your dog may spread to your clothing, home or car. So minimize physical contact by using rubber gloves and paper towels -- or towels you won't mind throwing away. While a quick bath helps remove some of the skunk oils, the smell generally remains stronger than most owners want. Neutralizing the remaining odor often requires other ingredients that chemically help break down the oils.

Things You'll Need

• Skunk spray neutralizer -- available from veterinarians or pet supply stores
• Soap, detergent or dog shampoo
• Rubber gloves
• Paper towels or old towels
• Tomato juice
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 2 tsp. liquid soap
• 1 qt. 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• Plastic container

Instructions

1. Apply a commercial skunk spray neutralizer, advises Utah State University Cooperative Extension. Follow the directions on the product. Avoid getting the product into your dog's eyes or nose. Use a wet cloth to dab the product onto its muzzle, ears and facial area. Wash the dog using mild soap, dog shampoo or mild dish washing detergent. Rinse thoroughly, and dry the dog.

2. Again, wash your dog with dog shampoo, liquid dish washing detergent or mild laundry detergent. Work up a lather, then thoroughly rinse. Pour tomato juice on the dog, rub the juice into the fur and allow it to soak for approximately 20 minutes, advises Purdue University. Wash the dog again, and rinse. Repeat the process until the skunk odor is gone.

3. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 2 tsp. mild liquid soap and 1 qt. medical grade 3 percent strength hydrogen peroxide in a plastic container, advises chemist Paul Krebaum. Pour the solution on your dog, avoiding its eyes and nose. Rub the solution into the coat, and allow the dog to soak for at least 5 minutes. Repeat the process, if odor remains.

Tips & Warnings

• Flush your dog's eyes with saline solution or other human eye drops, to avoid irritation from the skunk spray.

• Use only mild liquid soap in the hydrogen peroxide mixture, as strong degreaser formulas interfere with the chemical action.

• Due to rabies concerns, check your dog to ensure the skunk delivered only a spray, not any wounds. Report any observations of the skunk behaving in an aggressive or unusual manner.

• Never store the hydrogen peroxide mix in a sealed container, to avoid the chemicals from building pressure and exploding.

• Make sure you use baking soda -- not washing soda, as it can burn the skin.

• Tomato juice may cause temporary staining of light-colored coats.

References

• The Skunk Remedy Homepage; Paul Krebaum
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Odors
• Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine: How to "Deskunk" Your Dog

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• University of California; Skunks Management Guidelines; T. P. Salmon et al.; June 2004
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Rabid Skunks Reported in the United States During 2009
• Purdue University: Wildlife Conflicts Information Website -- Skunks