One of the most frustrating and disgusting things that can happen to a pet owner is finding out their dog has been sprayed by a skunk. Your first instinct will probably be to get him into the tub, but do you know how to get rid of skunk smell on dogs?
Most pet parents use tomato juice as their go-to skunk odor remover. Unfortunately, it isn't the best option. Skunk spray is a noxious oil, which isn't easily removed from the fur. A tomato juice bath will remove some of the oil, but it won't strip all of it from Fido's coat.
Tomato juice does not remove the chemical components of skunk spray. It also does not do anything to neutralize the odor. Simply put, tomato juice will not get rid of 100% of the skunk smell on your dog.
So, do you know how to get rid of skunk smell on dogs? I do! We live in a rural part of central Maine, and skunks are quite a common nuisance in our area. I've had dogs for more than 20 years, and unfortunately I've had the opportunity to try many different remedies to remove skunk spray.
How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell on Dogs
My go-to skunk odor remover is a homemade dog shampoo. The recipe is:
- 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 tsp. Dawn dish soap
You don't necessarily need to use Dawn brand dish soap, as long as you find a store brand that cuts grease the same way. The dish soap is used to break up the oils in the skunk spray. This allows the peroxide and baking soda to do their job – stripping the chemical components of the spray.
Use this mixture like a shampoo. First, thoroughly wet your dog's coat. Work this mixture into the coat and down to your pup's skin. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes, or as long as you can get your pooch to stay in the tub without getting to anxious.
Rinse this skunk odor eliminator from your dog thoroughly. His coat won't smell the best after using this mixture, so you may want to give your pup a quick wash with regular dog shampoo as well. Just be sure to choose a shampoo that is safe and healthy.
I've found one other remedy for how to get rid of skunk smell on dogs, and it's also a homemade option. Mix 2 parts water with 1 part apple cider vinegar. The vinegar strips the oil from the coat and also helps to neutralize the odor. Vinegar is actually known for its odor eliminating powers and is a common ingredient in many homemade household cleaners.
Follow the same instructions above to use this homemade skunk odor remover. If you're looking for a commercial skunk odor remover, check out OdorKlenz Skunk Odor Eliminator. I've reviewed their odor eliminating products, and you can read all about them here.
There are many commercial skunk odor eliminating products on the market, but the only effective product that I have ever used is the OdorKlenz Skunk Odor Eliminator. If you've used one that worked well, please share your experience in the comments below.
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