So, the other night, this little stinker:
decided to have a not-so-pleasant conversation with this little stinker:
Years ago, when this happened to my greyhound, I used tomato juice (it’s what we’ve all heard works, right?) Not only did it not help the smell, but greyhounds don’t have a lot of hair and when I pulled on Dana’s leash to get him away from the skunk, his neck skin got raw and the tomato juice severely irritated his poor neck. It was a long night for both of us.
Marc knew of this story (it was before we met, but I had mentioned it several times) and so when Pippin got sprayed (I wasn’t home) he took to the internet to find another solution. When Marc pulled up this recipe, he left to get the supplies at the store.
(Nothing like a Dummies solution to anything.)
You know those people that say they like the smell of skunk? Well yeah, what they’re really saying is that they like the faint whiff of skunk, much like you might have liked the after-smell of your Grandfather’s cigar. Skunk oil up close is deadly. It’s gag, headache, and skin-rash inducing. I assure you there is nothing in the least bit pleasant about a skunk’s spray.
I’m here to tell you that this solution worked. It worked so well that we can barely smell skunk on Pippin anymore (if you bury your nose in his snout you can, but who (other than me) is going to be doing that?) This is a keeper.
If you have a dog, do yourself a favor. Print out these directions and keep them in a spot where you will be able to remember where they are. I’ve only had two dogs that have been sprayed by skunks, but that’s enough for me to be forever prepared.
How to Remove Skunk Odor from Dogs
Part of the Dog Grooming For Dummies Cheat Sheet
What do you do when your dog has been sprayed by a skunk? Use the following remedy to remove the skunk smell from your dog. It requires baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid dishwashing soap (the kind made for washing dishes by hand). Always keep these ingredients on hand in case your dog runs into a skunk.
Here’s the de-skunking recipe you need for any-sized dog:
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Combine 1/2 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/8 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap in an open container.
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Draw a tepid bath and put your dog in it.
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Apply the solution liberally throughout your dog’s coat and suds him up well (to the skin). Avoid getting any solution in his eyes.
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Rinse your dog well, drain the tub, and rinse well again.
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Smell for any spots you’ve missed and repeat Steps 1 through 4 if necessary.
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Follow up with a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner for dogs; rinse well to remove all residue.
Don’t be fooled by some of the popular remedies for removing skunk spray from your dog. Here are reasons they don’t really work:
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Tomato juice: An old standby, tomato juice does darn near nothing. It may cut through the oils in the skunk spray, but you still end up with a stinky dog — and a pinkish colored one at that.
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Vinegar and water douche: Here’s another home remedy that really doesn’t do much. Yes, it may mask the smell a bit, but it doesn’t do much else.
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Professional odor removers: These substances work okay on a variety of levels, but you’ll still know that your dog has been skunked.
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Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
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