How Do I Get Skunk Smell Off My Dog?

If your Dog is like mine, then they like to chase any and every animal that comes into their backyard. Sometimes these animals see your Dog as a Predator that is trying to harm them and use their best defense. In the case of Skunks, they link to blast that awful smell directly at their Predator.

How Do I get Skunk Smell off my Dog? Use an over-the-counter Skunk Odor Remover or make your own solution using 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Solution, 1/4 cup of Baking Soda, and 1-2 teaspoons of Dish Soap.

What Is Skunk Spray?

Skunk Spray is produced by the skunks anal glands and when triggered will secrete a sulfurous chemical called thiols to defend itself against predators. Skunks can spray as far as 15 feet, so it is very common for our Pets to get sprayed directly in the face. The secretion is a yellow oil that will cling to most surfaces, especially skin proteins. It acts like oil, therefore it does not mix with water and if the substance is forced to mixed with water, the skunk odor will become more pungent.

Is Skunk Spray Poisonous to Dogs?

Skunk Spray is not Poisonous to Dogs per say, but if your Dog got sprayed directly in the face, you need to ask yourself these questions:

Did my Dog ingest the spray? If you think so, then it can cause nausea or vomiting.
Are my Dogs eyes red or irritated? If yes, then flush them immediately with cool water because it can damage the cornea of the eye and cause temporary blindness. Skunk spray can act like tear gas if it gets into the eyes.
Is my Dog showing severe signs of sickness? Most likely, your dog ingested the skunk spray and you should consult your Veterinarian on how they would like you to proceed.
Is my Dog in any serious distress after being sprayed? If no, then you can take matters into your own hands and use a homemade odor neutralizer.

What Steps Do I Immediately Take After My Dog Is sprayed?

Flush your Dogs eyes, nose, and mouth with cool water
Remove the skunk smell from your Dogs fur (see below)
Keep an eye on your Dog for signs of distress, like trouble breathing, nausea, or vomiting and when in doubt consult your Veterinarian

How Do I Remove Skunk Smell From My Dog?

There are many tall tale remedies that mask the Skunk smell odor, like tomato juice or distilled vinegar. The two best remedies for removing skunk smell from your dog are below.

Use an over-the-counter Skunk Odor Remover
1. Buy this to have on hand, especially if you live in an area where Skunks are common.
2. Put on rubber gloves to avoid getting Skunk oils on your hands.
3. Wipe the affected area off as best you can with something absorbent, like a towel to remove as much of the skunk spray as possible.
4. Soap your Dog with some Dawn after you wet him because dish soap is oil based and will loosen the skunk secretion off the skin and coat.
5. Apply the Skunk Order Remover liberally at full concentration and let it sit on your Dog for 5-10 minutes.
6. Rinse the dawn and Skunk Oder Remover off your Dog.
7. Repeat Steps 3-5 if your Dog still smells foul. If your Dog has short and fine hair, you may only need one or two washes. If your Dogs hair is long and thick or has a double coat, you may need more washes.
Make your own solution using Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking Soda, and Dish Soap
1. Wipe the affected area off as best you can with something absorbent, like a towel to remove as much of the skunk spray as possible.
2. Make the Skunk Fighting Solution in a bucket
  1. 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Solution = 1 Quart
  2. Dish Soap (Dawn) = 1-2 teaspoons
  3. Baking Soda = 1/4 Cup
3. Put on rubber gloves to avoid getting Skunk oils on your hands.
4. Massage the solution all the way into your Dogs skin and let it sit for 10-20 minutes
5. Rinse with water
6. Bath your Dog with Dog Shampoo and Rinse well.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 if your Dog still smells foul. Again, Dogs that have long and thick hair or have a double coat, you may need more washes.

Why This Formula? Dish detergents break down the Skunk oil so it can be washed off, while the baking soda and peroxide oxidize the substance, so the smell is not as strong.

BE CAREFUL: Be extremely careful using Hydrogen Peroxide Solution around your Dogs eyes, nose, and Mouth. Also, use this combination immediately after mixing because if it is kept in a closed container it can explode.

BE ADVISED: Hydrogen Peroxide is bleach, so you may see a change in your Dogs coat.

If you are fortunate enough to know where in the yard the skunk sprayed your dog, hose the soil until it is really soaked because if your Dog is like mine, your Dog will roll into that foul smell again if it exists.