The Best Way To De-Skunk Your Dog

HELP! MY DOG GOT SPRAYED BY A SKUNK!

One of my clients, Luigi (pictured here), got sprayed in two separate incidents last week, losing a claw in one of the battles.

Needless to say, he stank. His odor filled the car, and his usual seat-mate Lola refused to go near him. The rain we got on Thursday only made the problem worse.

So how do you get that skunk smell to go away?

I'm sure most people have heard of using tomato juice baths to get rid of the smell. Unfortunately, they simply do not work. In our experience, neither do the expensive products made specifically to clean your dog after its encounter.

The most effective treatment we have found was first written up in 1993 by Paul Krebaum.

The Recipe

1 Quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
1 to 2 Tsp Liquid Soap (Dawn)

Do not wet your dog. Resist the urge to grab him and shove him in the shower - it will only weaken the solution you are going to use on him.

Using a plastic spatula or wooden spoon, mix together 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (DO NOT USE ANY OTHER STRENGTH), baking soda, and liquid soap in a plastic bucket. For very large dogs, just double the recipe.

Apply the mixture to your dog as soon as you mix it - the solution will get weaker over time. Work the mixture deep into the fur and leave it on for about 5 minutes.

Keep the solution out of your dog's eyes – it will sting.

Rinse your pet thoroughly with warm water.

Some heavily “skunked” areas may need 2 or 3 washes.

Pour any left over mixture down the drain with running water.

Warning!
Do Not Store Or Bottle This Mixture - It Can Explode!

This is hands down the best method for getting the skunk smell out of your dog.