Skunk Deodorizer
If your pup gets skunked, what you do first determines how quickly the odor disappears.
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Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public and make it simple for people to get dogs from good sources and for reputable breeders, shelters and rescues to put their dogs in good homes.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public and make it simple for people to get dogs from good sources and for reputable breeders, shelters and rescues to put their dogs in good homes.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public and make it simple for people to get dogs from good sources and for reputable breeders, shelters and rescues to put their dogs in good homes.
The chemicals in skunk spray can bond quickly to your dog’s coat. If that happens, you will smell skunk any time your pup gets wet for weeks and sometimes months. There are many Old Dog-Owner Tales about what to use to get rid of skunk smell. The two most popular are tomato juice and Massengill douche. Neither of these hold a candle to the method below, which was developed and tested by a chemist.
To reduce how strongly and long skunk odor follows your dog, follow these steps as soon as possible after the spraying.
- DO NOT PUT WATER ON YOUR DOG’S COAT before using the deodorizer below. Water will cause the odor to bond with the hair so you will smell it for months.
- Avoiding getting water on the coat, use eyewash or water to rinse your pup’s eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Instead, mix this deodorizer following the instructions closely and apply it directly to your dog’s coat without wetting the coat with water.
- Use a washcloth to apply carefully to the face and muzzle.
- Leave the deodorizer on for 15 minutes then rinse with water.
- Repeat as often as needed over the next week or two.
Skunk Deodorizer Recipe
This must be mixed fresh each time and cannot be stored in a closed container.
- 2 quarts fresh hydrogen peroxide (unopened bottle)
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2 teaspoons liquid dishwashing detergent
Mix in an open container. Using gloves, apply to dog without applying water to the coat first. Work into the coat in all places that were sprayed. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing. Do not get this mix into your dog’s eyes, ears or mouth.
Dr. Gayle Watkins, PhD is the Founder of Avidog, the leading educational platform for dog breeders and puppy owners, and Gaylan's Golden Retrievers, her 40-year breeding program. Today, Gayle is the only golden retriever AKC Gold Breeder of Merit, and is a three-time AKC “Breeder of the Year.”
