Best Way To Get Rid of Skunk Smell

If you do a search on how to get rid of skunk smell, you'll discover various methods. Whichever one you choose will have more chance of success if you know one important secret.  We'll get to that later.

Without a doubt, you weren't thinking about removing skunk odor when you first decided to get a dog - right?

But, you'll be patting yourself on the back if you already know how to deal with skunk smell, if and when your dog has that inevitable run-in with a skunk.

Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Juvenile - Guelph

As dog owners, most of us have already been there, done that. If you haven't, it's only a matter of time!

Skunks often stroll through neighborhoods at night, as in the dark - they don't care if it's not the ideal time for your dog to have a run-in with one of them.

So always be at the ready with a flashlight so you can pinpoint their location, as well as you dog's, while assessing whether anything can be done to ward off an encounter.

But if a face off is already underway with no happy ending in sight, you may as well not bother trying to call off your dog because he won't come running until he's covered in eau de skunk!

Hopefully, in the meantime, you'll have sensibly put on your de-contamination suit!

So with all the excitement over, you can now put to use your tool kit of anti-skunk-smell remedies. What, you don't have one???

Better stick around a bit longer then and find out what remedies other pet owners have already tried.


How Do We Begin to Get Rid of Skunk Smell?

Aromatherapy? hmm, sounds like a good place to look for a solution. But no luck, seems like skunk juice is one aroma without a therapy.

But wait, there's the old tomato juice cure that may be worth a try?

Ah, too bad, not so, after a few gallons of juicing, the only thing you can smell is the dominant odor of tomato juice, and the dog has a red face.

Skunk Odor? You guessed it - still there, but any newcomer to the scene will still smell skunk and again so will you, in due time.


Methods And Folklore

Following is a list of "how get rid of skunk smell" remedies that have been used by dog owners at one time or another. Go ahead and try them if you're so inclined, and let us know your results. We can't vouch for each one, because we haven't tried them all.

One important thing to note is that if your dog's eyes have been sprayed, take care of them first with a dog eye wash such as Ark Naturals Eyes So Bright

Here are some of the various remedies - in no particular order:

  • A mixture of dish soap, water and vinegar.
  • Feminine douche product - some have found this very effective.
  • Lemon anti-bacterial kitchen soap.
  • Toothpaste - yes you read it correctly!
  • Oxyclean mixed with dog shampoo.
  • Dishwashing liquid.
  • Vanilla Extract.
  • Apple Cider.
  • Selsun Blue.


    • One of the more popular remedies is this one:

Combine:

  • Baking soda (1/4 cup, or more),
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide (1qt),
  • dog shampoo(about 1 tsp).

Mix fresh and apply with sponge, take care around eyes. Rinse off after about 10-15 mins.

Be aware that this method may very likely turn your dog into a blond - temporarily that is!


 Around The House

One way or another, even with precautions, skunk odor will most likely find a way to stink up your house.  That said, here are some odor removing suggestions:

  • To absorb odor in the air, set out bowls of vinegar.
  • Bleach in the laundry (approx. 1c per gal) to wash clothes and any house related items that won't be harmed by bleach (NEVER on the dog)
  • Add Borax OR ammonia to the wash, not both.
  • Baking soda on rugs, vacuum up after odor has dissipated. Change bags in vacuum.
  • After clean-up, change filters in all household systems related to air circulation (HVAC).


Eliminating Skunk Smell - Conclusion

The peroxide mixture seems to be the most popular remedy for getting rid of skunk smell. Plus, you can keep all of the ingredients on hand to make up a batch if needed.

Don't try to store a mixed batch as it could explode. Also, it loses effectiveness a short while after mixing - about an hour.

If you go this route, put a little mineral oil in the eyes for protection, then sponge on the solution and let it sit on the dog about five minutes, then rinse out.

To finish the job, we recommend following up with a commercial skunk remover product. Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover is a popular product that works well.


The Secret To Getting Rid Of Skunk Smell

In all that's been said here there is one very important secret we're going to pass along to you. This is the key to success no matter which remedy you select to get rid of skunk smell.

  • Here it is - the sooner you handle the problem the better. Get those rubber gloves on and shampoo your dog right away, before the skunk spray dries. This is critical!!


Then go ahead and follow up his bath with the smell removing remedy of your choice. This bit of information is what we learned from firsthand skunk experiences and now you know the secret too!

Good luck to you and Rover!



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