Comments on: How to Get Skunk Smell out of Pet Fur

on 9/8/2006 I tried making a paste of baking soda and vinegar and rubbed it all over him first, then washed him with the dishwashing soap. Worked like a charm, had to go over him twice, but the smell is gone.

on 8/19/2006 Mix 2 thirds cup baking soda, half cup of lemon juice and 3/4
pint of gasoline.(diesel) Scrub him vigorously 3 times for 4 minutes each. Then tie him in direct sunlight to dry off for about 35-40 minutes making sure to check on him about every 5 and a half to 6 minutes. This is sure to remove any foreign invaders from any interment object.

on 8/17/2006 I used a solution of hydrogen peroxide (3% bought at the drug store), baking soda and some dish soap (just to lather) and sponged him down. The smell completely disappeared.

The house smelled worse than the yard; I sprayed that with Febreze. The smell didn't disappear completely, but it certainly smelled better.

on 8/15/2006 We used tomato juice on our skunked dog several years ago - with limited success. He was able to come back into the house after about 3-4 days, but still had some of the odor lingering for several more days.

Last night, the dog got sprayed - full face - when he tried to make a new friend. This time we used 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of Ivory dish soap. We waited 10 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly. Then we repeated this treatment. Almost 100% of the smell was gone - even with his fur still wet!

Later in the day, I noticed he still had a faint odor - so I repeated the treatment one more time. This eliminated all traces of the skunk and the dog was able to come back inside the house the same day.

on 8/14/2006 My dogs found a 'striped kitty' in the yard, and got skunked. The first skunking incident was at 2 AM, so the dogs were locked in the shed for the rest of the night, and in the morning got the peroxide-baking soda treatment. It worked fairly well, but the dogs still smelled. The next night, the dogs got skunked again ... back to the shed, and another treatment in the morning.

Yesterday the dogs got skunked yet again, and this time also managed to mortally wound the skunk. This time I was able to de-skunk them right away, and treating them right away seemed to make all the difference between having them smell better, and having them smell completely skunk-free. I still had a skunk corpse to deal with, and dug a very deep hole (not fun in 95 degree weather) and buried it. I throughly hosed the yard where the skunk died, but there's still a lot of aroma coming from that area.

on 8/8/2006 Taking tips from everyone who wrote in, I used 2 extra large bottles of hydrogen peroxide, a full container of baking powder and about a cup of Palmolive dish soap with oxygenators. I left this on my dog for 20 minutes, rinsed her off and bathed her in a vinegar douche, then bathed her again in regular dog shampoo. She's completely odor free!

on 8/8/2006 1. Buy 6 good sized tomatoes from the store.
2. Mix with 1 stick of butter and 2 cups of milk.
3. Rub on the pet thoroughly.
4. Leave on for 15 minutes.
5. Wash of with a hose or give them a bath.

on 8/8/2006 My Shepherd just got skunked (on the face and head). I used Dawn dish soap and it worked perfectly. I've used this in the past and swear by it. No more odor at all. Best of all, it doesn't cost a fortune.

on 8/8/2006 Vinegar, baking soda, and liquid dish soap has been the best. First I tried peroxide with the others. My black dog turned reddish-colored, but it was a small price to pay. Sponge on the vinegar foam on the face and wait for it to neutralize the stink. I keep smelling the dog as I do this until I'm satisfied, then I use a dog shampoo. Good to go! Will she ever learn?

on 7/26/2006 Actually, Febreze is made up of water, alcohol, corn-derived enzymes, and fragrance. While you probably wouldn't want to drink it, and you don't want to get it into your eyes (the alcohol would definitely burn), I don't see anything in it that is de facto toxic.

It's probably fine to use on your pet (avoiding the eyes). The alcohol will evaporate rather quickly. Just shampoo after about 24 hours or so to get rid of the perfumes.

on 7/21/2006 First, do not use things that are not intended to be put on or in a human body on your pet (like cleaners and chemicals for starters). Secondly, their skin is already going to be sensitive from the spray, putting something that will burn even more, like peroxide and vinegar on them is cruel. Do be careful of the strength and amount you use and where you use it, (eyes, ears genitals, etc). Use something safe, like baby shampoo, you don't want to blind your pet! Perfuming is just a cover-up. Many products out there do nothing but cover- up odor, like De-Skunk. These products end up making the pets sneeze, eyes tear and burn their sense of smell, driving them crazy.

I got a kick out of these remedies, and many good points were taken, esp. about chemical reactions, you can mix two seemingly harmless items together and create something dangerous! Many work, some don't, some just hide it for a while. I've tried them all over the years.

I ended up with the baking soda rub, then add peroxide only 10%, then Dawn dish soap from the ears down. Face I use J&J No Tears Baby shampoo - trust me, other brands may say they are, but try some suds in Your eyes, they are not, I have only found J&J to be truly painless. If there is a slight smell left, some watered down real vanilla helps and is non toxic.

Please, think before you try that de-skunking concoction on your beloved pet!

on 7/12/2006 My puppy had a meeting with a skunk and I had him in the tub in less than a minute. I worked a gallon of spicy V-8 tomato juice into his fur and let that set for a few minutes. I then gave him two baths with a scented puppy shampoo and a final baby powder scented cream rinse. He smells great! Make sure you do it immediately.

on 7/10/2006 We buy a product called OdorMute. I keep it on hand for any organic stench, skunk, rolling in dead fish at the lake, etc. You just mix the powder with warm water and spray it or pour it on.

on 7/10/2006 I have used over the counter remedies to get rid of skunk odor and wasn't pleased with the results. Dish soap breaks down oils, and skunk spray is just that. Just one good washing, that's all you need.

on 7/7/2006 Mix together the following and apply with sponge:
(double amounts for large dogs).

1 quart hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

Place 2 drops of olive or corn oil in dog's eyes before bathing. Bathe dog - lather well and soak for 10 minutes. Be sure to wash the face area and rinse well.