How to Remove Skunk Odor from Your Pet's Fur
A Recipe That is Proven to Rid a Pet of that Skunky Smell
Aug 4, 2008
Your dog is out for a walk or playing out in the yard when he encounters a skunk. And before you know it, he’s barking, running toward the skunk and then you smell it – that strong, pungent, unmistakable odor.
Dogs, cats and other curious pets are commonly in a frightened skunk’s line of fire, but there is one home remedy that can be successful in removing skunk odor from a pet’s fur. Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, offered the following recipe for owners of dogs, cats and other pets who have been sprayed by a skunk.
Ingredients
- One pint of hydrogen peroxide
- One-half a cup of baking soda
- Two tablespoons of dish soap
- A bottle of vinegar
Directions
- Mix the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap in a large bowl and stir until the baking soda is completely dissolved.
- Next, use a spray bottle or sponge to generously apply the mixture onto the pet’s fur. Work the mixture through the fur and onto the skin below, massaging the solution into the affected area for ten minutes. Be cautious when applying this solution to the face, as the mixture should not come in contact with the eyes.
- After ten minutes has passed, thoroughly rinse the solution from the animal’s fur and skin. Once the solution is completely rinsed away (there should be no soap bubbles remaining in the water as it flows off the body), towel the pet’s fur.
- If the odor is still relatively strong and skunky, repeat the above-mentioned steps. If the odor is largely eliminated, then continue on to the next step.
- Once the solution of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap and baking soda has been rinsed away, use a sponge or spray bottle to apply generous amounts of vinegar to the pet’s damp fur and skin. Again, saturate the fur and massage the solution into the fur and skin.
- After letting the solution sit for twenty minutes, thoroughly rinse the pet with fresh water.
- Often, the pet is left smelling vaguely of vinegar. To leave your pet smelling fresh and clean, follow with a gentle pet shampoo and conditioner.
Additional skunk odor removal recipes for pets can be found in How to Make Home Remedies to Remove Skunk Odor From a Pet's Fur.
If the temperature and weather allows, performing steps one through three outdoors can help to keep your home free of the pungent skunk smell.
Pet owners are cautioned that these skunk odor removal techniques can result in slight discoloration to the animal’s fur.
“Unfortunately, many pets who are sprayed by a skunk suffer eye irritation. The dog or cat’s head and face tends to get sprayed in many cases, and this can lead to serious redness and inflammation,” Dr. Levine explained.
In the event that a pet suffers a direct shot of skunk spray to the eyes, owners will need to seek immediate veterinary attention. If the vet’s office is more than five or ten minutes away, it’s recommended that owners first flush their pet’s eyes at home. Flush the eyes for several minutes with fresh, lukewarm water or a plain saline wound wash solution. Follow with soothing eye drops designed to eliminate irritation and redness.
Dr. Levine concluded, “In cases where a dog has a run-in with a skunk, eye irritation and eye infections can occasionally occur, as can skin rashes, but generally speaking, most pets will not suffer any long term effects from an encounter with a skunk.”
Pet owners should also take measures to keep skunks away from the home and yard. Covering trash cans and keeping your trash in the shed or garage can help reduce the frequency of visits from those little black and whilte creatures.
