It’s 10 p.m., your dog just came racing back from the yard, and the smell hits you before they do. Yep. Skunk.
Take a breath (through your mouth). Getting skunk smell out of your dog is very doable if you act fast and skip the myths. Here’s what actually works, step by step.
First: keep your dog outside
Skunk spray is an oily mix of sulfur compounds. It transfers to everything it touches, so a skunked dog running across your couch means a skunked couch.
- Keep your dog outside, in a garage or in a bathroom with no rugs.
- Put on old clothes and rubber gloves.
- Grab old towels you don’t mind throwing away.
Don’t hose your dog down yet. Water alone spreads the oil instead of lifting it.
Check your dog’s eyes, mouth and skin
Skunks aim for the face, and the spray stings. Look your dog over before you start scrubbing.
- Eyes: red, watery or squinting eyes need a gentle rinse with plain lukewarm water or a sterile saline eye wash. Then call your vet.
- Mouth: drooling or pawing at the face is common. Offer water.
- Bites or scratches: call your vet the same night. Skunks can carry rabies, so any contact wound needs a professional look.
In rare cases, skunk spray can make a dog sick, especially small dogs sprayed heavily. Call your vet right away if you see vomiting, weakness, pale gums or dark-colored urine.
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Why tomato juice doesn’t work
Tomato juice is the classic advice, and it’s mostly a myth. It doesn’t break down the smell compounds.
- Your nose gets tired of the skunk smell, so it seems to fade.
- The tomato smell covers some of it for a while.
- The next day, the skunk smell is back, plus your light-colored dog may be pink.
Vinegar on its own doesn’t solve it either. You need something that chemically changes the sulfur compounds.
The peroxide, baking soda and dish soap wash
This is the widely used home recipe for skunk odor, and it works far better than tomato juice. Mix it in an open bowl or bucket right before you use it.
- 1 quart of fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide (the regular drugstore kind, not a stronger salon or pool product)
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of plain liquid dish soap
Big dog? Make a second batch rather than doubling it in one container.
How to wash a skunked dog
Work outside or in the tub, and keep the mix away from your dog’s eyes, nose and mouth.
- Start on dry fur. Work the mix deep into the coat where they got hit, usually the face, neck and chest.
- Use a washcloth on the face. Wipe carefully around the muzzle, staying well away from the eyes.
- Let it sit about 5 minutes. Not longer. Peroxide can lighten dark fur.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear.
- Follow with a regular dog shampoo and rinse again.
- Repeat once more if the smell is still strong.
Dry your dog with old towels and keep them warm. A wet dog on a cold night gets chilled fast.
Safety rules for the skunk mix
The mix is simple, but it has a few rules you really shouldn’t skip.
- Never store it. It releases oxygen, and a closed bottle can burst. Pour leftovers down the drain with running water.
- Don’t add vinegar or anything else. Mixing peroxide with vinegar makes a harsh acid you don’t want on skin.
- Don’t let your dog lick it. Rinse well and watch them until they’re dry.
- Skip it on broken skin. Ask your vet what to use instead.
If you’d rather not mix anything, a commercial skunk shampoo from the pet store is a good option. Follow the label.
Wash the collar, towels and your clothes
Your dog smells better, but the smell is hiding everywhere else.
- Collar and harness: wash in warm soapy water. Old fabric collars may be easier to replace.
- Towels and your clothes: wash with regular detergent plus half a cup of baking soda, and line dry if you can.
- Dog bed: wash the cover. If it still reeks after two washes, it’s time for a new one.
Do not mix bleach with any other cleaner while you’re tackling the laundry. One product at a time.
Get the smell out of your house and car
If your dog made it inside before you caught them, air everything out.
- Open windows and run fans.
- Wash any washable fabric they touched.
- Set out open bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal overnight to absorb odor.
- Wipe hard surfaces with warm soapy water.
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How long the smell lasts
Be honest with yourself here. One good wash removes most of it, but a faint smell can linger for days or weeks.
- It often comes back a little when your dog gets wet.
- Thick, double coats hold it longest.
- A second wash a day or two later helps a lot.
How to avoid the next skunk
Skunks are most active at dusk and at night, and they love yards with easy food.
- Turn on the yard light and check before late potty breaks.
- Keep your dog on a leash after dark.
- Bring pet food bowls in and close trash cans tightly.
- Block gaps under decks and sheds where skunks den.
- Practice a solid recall. These dog training tips are a good place to start.
Common questions
Does tomato juice get rid of skunk smell on dogs?
Not really. It masks the smell for a while, but it doesn’t break down the compounds that cause it.
Can I make the skunk mix ahead of time?
No. Mix it fresh in an open container and pour out leftovers. Stored in a closed bottle, it can burst.
What if my dog got sprayed in the eyes?
Rinse gently with plain lukewarm water or sterile saline eye wash and call your vet.
Will the peroxide mix bleach my dog’s fur?
It can lighten dark coats a little. Keep it to about 5 minutes and rinse well.
When should I take my skunked dog to the vet?
Call if your dog has eye problems, a bite or scratch, vomiting, weakness, pale gums or dark urine.
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