Dog Get Skunked? Here’s How To Remove Dog Skunk Odor

Chances are, your dog will probably come in contact with a skunk at some point in time.

Hopefully, he’ll run the other way, rather than sticking around long enough to get skunked!

But if not, then you’ll need a good remedy for removing that skunk smell from your dog’s fur.

Using Tomato Juice To Remove Dog Skunk Odor

You may have heard about using tomato juice to de-skunk a dog. However, simply pouring tomato juice all over your dog’s coat and then rinsing it out doesn’t seem to be nearly as effective as the hydrogen peroxide recipe below.

Forget what you have heard about tomato juice — it doesn’t work. Skunk spray is mainly composed of low molecular weight thiol compounds. (“Thiols” are compounds with the “-SH radical” attached to a carbon atom.) In industrial applications, alkaline hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is used for scrubbing similar compounds from waste gas streams. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda — when combined — become a “chemical engine” for churning out oxygen. That’s why it has to be used immediately after mixing. The soap breaks up the oils in the skunk spray, allowing the other ingredients to do their work.  

– Source

The Best Dog Skunk Odor Remover

What you really need to remove dog skunk odor is:

• 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons of dishwashing detergent

First, mix all 3 of the above ingredients together. (IMPORTANT: Don’t put this mixture in a capped bottle because it can explode!)

Then, wet your dog’s coat thoroughly with the above mixture. (Make sure to keep it out of your dog’s eyes, nose, and mouth.) Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.

Finally, rinse your dog’s coat thoroughly.

You may need to apply the mixture more than once in order to completely get rid of the skunk smell, but it’s a tried & true DIY recipe that works well for many dog owners! 

Dogs vs Wildlife

Of course, a skunk is not the only form of wildlife your dog may encounter in the outdoors.  A few other wild animals that are likely to catch your dog’s eyes are: birds, frogs & toads, and rabbits.

Here’s what to do if your dog decides to chase other forms of wildlife.

Take a quick survey about your dog’s interactions with wildlife!

Lynnette Walczak( Publisher )

I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn’t think of.

I’m a lifelong dog owner — currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I’ve always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians — whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I’ve been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started… and before the days of Facebook and YouTube).

My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what’s ‘normal’ and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog — how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year!

When I’m not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I’ve written over 600 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.