How to Remove Skunk Smell from Dogs: Emergency Recipe
Your dog comes inside the house, and instantly, you are met with the unmistakable, awful scent of skunk spray. For a pet owner, it is nothing less than a tragedy, a bad smell that lingers around your dog’s coat, and on your furniture, and on everything your dog touches. The effort it takes to remove that aroma is taxing, and you can’t imagine the smell going away.
Not to worry! It is easier than you think. Getting rid of the skunk smell on dogs does not have to mean expensive treatments and countless trips to the vet. This guide will show you a fast, easy, emergency recipe using ingredients you probably already have in your home that will neutralize the odor and have your dog smelling like new in no time. We will also give you some tips on how to keep this from happening again and recommend how a mobile dog groomer could be a secret weapon for keeping your dog clean.
Understanding the Skunk Smell and Its Stubbornness
Before discussing how to get rid of the smell, it is helpful to understand why it is so persistent. Skunk spray contains sulfur chemicals called thiols, which have an extreme, nasty smell. Thiols are oily and stay with whatever they touch. The smell not only sits on the fur, but it also gets into the skin and can spread to furniture, your clothes, and your car if not treated quickly enough. As a pet owner, the best thing you can do is respond quickly and know how to get the skunk smell out of your dog’s fur. If you are not prepared with the proper products and tools to clean the affected area, you will end up smelling worse than you could have imagined.
Emergency Skunk Smell Removal Recipe
Now let’s move on to the solution. Here is an emergency recipe that will help you quickly get the skunk smell out of your dog. This method is effective, inexpensive, and easy.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide serves as a natural deodorizer and neutralizes thiol odors.
- 1/4 cup of baking soda: Baking soda absorbs the odor and is gentle on the skin.
- 1–2 teaspoons of mild dish soap: Dish soap breaks down the oily skunk spray.
- 1–2 cups of warm water: This will dilute the mixture and help you apply it to your dog.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Mix the Ingredients:
In a big container, mix the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap and stir gently until the baking soda is completely dissolved. It is important to mix it right before use, as the solution will begin losing strength over time.
Applying the Mixture to Your Dog:
Before applying the mixture, be sure to put gloves on first to avoid skin irritation. Starting down from the neck, work the mixture into your dog's fur, avoiding the eyes, ears, and mouth. Move the solution through their fur and focus on the areas where the smell is most concentrated.
Let It Sit:
You will want to let the solution sit on your dog’s coat for about 5-10 minutes, and during this time be sure to watch your dog closely to ensure they are not licking or ingesting the solution.
Rinse Thoroughly:
When the time is up, you will want to rinse your dog thoroughly in a warm way, removing all the solution. Leaving the solution on could irritate your dog's skin.
Repeat If You Have To:
You may want to repeat this process if the stench persists, but do your best to not overapply the solution as to avoid irritation. Afterward, you will want to give your dog a gentle wash with their own dog shampoo to keep their skin nice and hydrated.
Why This Works
The solution of hydrogen peroxide along with baking soda is incredibly effective because it treats the sulfur compounds that are in a skunk's spray. Hydrogen peroxide works by breaking down the chemicals, while the baking soda absorbs all of the smell that's left. The dish soap helps break down the oils to remove the odor easily by washing it away.
Skunk Smell Prevention: How to Keep Your Dog Safe
Although knowing how to remove skunk odor from dogs is important, it is always better to avoid skunk encounters. To that end, here are a few ways to prevent your dog from attracting skunks:
- Leash Your Dog During Night Walks: Skunks are nocturnal animals, so it’s best to keep your dog leashed when you go out in the evening and overnight.
- Secure Your Yard: Skunks are often drawn to food sources and places to hide in your yard. To avoid attracting skunks, make sure your yard is secured and avoid leaving trash cans and food sources that a skunk may find appealing.
- Stay Away From Skunk Heavy/Active Areas: If you live in an area known for skunks, make sure to keep your dog away from areas where skunks dwell, such as woods or brush.
When to Seek Help from a Professional Groomer
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can't remove the skunk smell from your dog. If the scent continues to be a problem or if your dog's skin is reacting with irritation, it may be appropriate to contact your dog groomer. Professional groomers are trained to deal with skunk smell and can properly clean your dog without harming their skin or coat.
The dog groomer comes to your home, which alleviates the burden of taking a dog to a dog grooming salon. Professional groomers have quality products and tools to eliminate the smell, which you will have trouble doing without. Providing your dog with a professional bath also allows a groomer to check for irritation related to the skunk spray.
Other Methods You Can Try
Although the emergency recipe mentioned above is effective in most situations, there are some other alternatives you might want to consider if you're in a big hurry or need extra help:
- Tomato Juice: While not the best solution, tomato juice has been a traditional remedy. It will help mask the smell for a little bit, but it will not remove it. It is probably not going to be your primary solution.
- Vinegar and Water: Many folks swear by a vinegar and water mix for a deodorizer. However, this will not work as quickly to neutralize the skunk smell than hydrogen peroxide will.
- Commercial Skunk Odor Removers: If you're really in a hurry and can't make a homemade solution, there are formulated commercial skunk odor removers. Just be sure to read the label and only purchase one that is specifically safe to use on dogs.
Conclusion
Having a skunk-sprayed dog can be a little stressful, but it's not the end of the world. You have the emergency recipe, which is a way to act fast and safely remove the skunk odor, but prevention is the best option. Taking preventive measures to lessen the chances of skunk dog encounters will ultimately help you avoid the problems associated with a skunk smell at some point. If you need extra help or more thorough cleaning of your dog, contact a mobile dog groomer. They will help your dog feel normal again and make sure the skunk odor is a thing of the past.
FAQs About Removing Skunk Smell from Dogs
What is the best homemade skunk odor remover?
The best homemade odor remover includes 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1-2 teaspoons of mild dish soap. This combination is effective at neutralizing the odor of skunk spray.
Will vinegar remove skunk smell from dogs?
Although vinegar can help mask the smell of skunk spray, it's not going to be as effective as hydrogen peroxide-based solutions that can actually remove the smell.
How long will a skunk smell last on a dog?
If there is no treatment applied, the skunk smell can last for several days. Unfortunately, if you do not clean up soon enough, the treatment won't be able to eliminate the odor until several hours have passed.
How do vets remove skunk odors?
Vets usually have deodorizing shampoos or prescription solutions that are more powerful than homemade versions.
Is skunk spray toxic?
Skunk spray is not considered toxic, but it can irritate a dog's eyes, nose, and skin, so it is a good idea to wash it off as soon as you can.
