How to Quickly Get Skunk Smell off Your Dog (7 Simple Steps)

Updated on Mar 18, 2024

We’d like to think that skunks spraying dogs isn’t as common in real life as it is in the movies. However, dogs love to chase wild animals, and they don’t know the particular consequences of chasing skunks. Of course, we can’t blame skunks for their behavior. They’re just protecting themselves, after all.

Still, it’s difficult to remove the skunk smell from our dog. Not only does the stench bother our dogs, but it’ll also bother us. There is no way a skunk-smelling dog can hang out inside or even near the backdoor.

There are several ways to remove the skunk smell from your pup. Some of these methods work better than others, however. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best solutions.

The 7 Steps to Get Rid of Skunk Smell on Dogs

You may have heard that bathing our dog in tomato juice can remove the stench. However, that isn’t necessary, nor is it highly effective. You can remove the skunk smell using basic household items like baking soda and dishwashing detergent.

Before we jump into the step-by-step instructions, let’s look at what you’ll need:

¼ cup of baking soda
1-2 teaspoons of mild dishwashing detergent (Dawn works great)
1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide

1. Don’t Take Your Pooch Inside

Your first instinct may be to rush your pup to the bath. However, the oils from the skunk spray will transfer to everything they touch, including your bath, hands, clothes, etc. You want to minimize contact as much as possible.

Instead, you want to take your dog to a safe, outdoor space. Don’t let them roam around much, even outdoors. Use a leash to create a tie-out if you don’t already have one. You want them as confined as possible while remaining outside.

2. Check Your Dog

Now that your dog is somewhere safe, you should look them over for injuries. Gloves are necessary for this step since you don’t want to rub your hands all in their skunky fur. If they were sprayed in the face, you should drizzle clean water over their eyes. The oils can injure their eyes if not removed quickly.

Rinsing can be difficult, especially if your dog is fighting you, but you can get a second pair of hands to help you if necessary. You’ll also want to check for injuries. Since your dog got close enough to the skunk to be sprayed, it is possible that they also got in a fight.

Skunks can carry diseases, which can be transferred through bites. It is essential to check your dog thoroughly for possible injuries. If there are any, follow up with your vet.

3. Create the DIY Skunk Remover

Most people do not have skunk odor removers sitting around their homes. You’ll probably need to make a DIY solution. Luckily, it isn’t too difficult. You’ll need the ingredients we’ve listed above, including baking soda, dishwashing detergent, and hydrogen peroxide.

Mix them in a bucket, and then apply it to your dog. You can use a smaller cup and pour it over your canine, or you can apply it with a washcloth. Either way, be sure to get everywhere.

4. Wait

Let the solution stay on your dog for about 10 to 20 minutes. Keep them confined during this time, but do not let them lick the solution off. Now may be a good time to distract them with a bone or treat. If any long-lasting chews are lying around, it is time to pull them out.

5. Rinse

Grab a hose or another bucket, and rinse your canine off. You’ll want to remove all of the solution since it can irritate your pet’s skin if you leave it on for too long.

garden hose in grass — Image Credit: Pixabay

6. Repeat as Necessary

You may need to repeat the process if the smell is not gone. Sometimes, it may only take one try before the scent is gone. However, in other cases, you’ll want to do it two or even three times to get rid of the stench completely.

7. Buy a Skunk Odor Remover

If your dog got sprayed once, it could happen again. Save yourself the work next time and purchase a commercial soap that removes the skunk smell. Quite a few are on the market, though we like the Natural Chemistry Skunks Etc. Odor Remover the best.

This formula is specifically formulated for removing skunk odors. You can use it on pets, as well as on carpets and upholstery. It is made with biodegradable ingredients, which is one reason we recommend it.

An Alternative: Visit the Groomer

If you absolutely cannot stand the smell or don’t have the necessary ingredients available to you, a visit to the groomer might be in order. Most know how to remove the skunk smell and may even be able to make you an emergency appointment. Traveling groomers are especially helpful in this situation since you won’t have to put your pup in your car.

Happy dog in a towel sitting at the groomer table after bath — Image Credit: Kasefoto, Shutterstock

FAQs

Is Skunk Spray Dangerous to Dogs?

Luckily, the skunk spray is usually pretty harmless. However, some dogs are allergic to it. In those situations, the spray can make the dog anemic. This can be serious since it will affect your dog’s ability to carry oxygen and other nutrients to the organs that need them.

The skunk spray can also become dangerous if it gets in your dog’s eyes. It won’t hurt if the oils stay in your pet’s eyes for a short period, but it can hurt if it stays there longer. That’s why we recommend flushing their eyes as soon as they are in a safe area.

How Do You Get Skunk Smell Off a Dog Without Peroxide?

If you don’t have peroxide, you can use vinegar instead. The only problem is that your dog will smell like vinegar. While the scent of vinegar is better than that of a skunk’s, it isn’t always the best alternative.

If you use vinegar, we recommend giving them a bath afterward to remove the odor.

Skunk and chihuahua — Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock

How Long Does It Take for Skunk Smell to Wear Off a Dog?

If you don’t do anything to treat your dog, the odor can last up to 3 weeks. This is far longer than you can keep your dog quarantined. For this reason, we recommend removing the odor using the method we outlined in this article.

Does Tomato Juice Remove Skunk Smell?

Not really. This is an old myth. Tomato juice doesn’t do an excellent job of removing the skunk smell. It only smells so strongly that it disrupts your senses, preventing you from smelling anything.

Final Thoughts

Removing the skunk smell from your dog’s coat may require a few applications of the DIY formula, depending on your dog’s coat. Short-haired dogs may only need one treatment, but shaggy pups may require several applications and a bath. You can also buy specialized cleaners to remove the odor quickly, but they’re more expensive than baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent.

Featured Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock