Need Help Getting Rid of Skunk Smell?
Skunk spray. It has happened to most of us. You let your dog out to play and they proudly come prancing back to the door and…“WOAH! You stink, Buddy!”
Skunks stink. Period. While there are many products on the market for “De-skunking” (Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Removal & Skunk-Off to name a couple), they are not always available when you need them.
Below you’ll find the steps and recipe for de-skunking your dog with ingredients you can find at home.
Skunk Spray Deodorizing Recipe
1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap (such as Dawn®)
*Discard any excess solution. Do not store for future use as the mixture can explode if left in the container!
Skunk Spray Deodorizing Tips:
- Take your pet outside to keep the smell from entering your home.
- Check your pet’s eyes to ensure there is no irritation or redness. Flush with ONLY water if needed.
- Mix the following recipe ingredients in a container suitable for pouring.
Skunk Spray Deodorizing Steps:
- Wearing rubber gloves, pour the mixture on your dog. Concentrate on the area where he/she was sprayed. Massage the mixture into the hair coat and make sure not to get the mixture in the eyes.
- Let the solution stay on the dog for 5-10 minutes. Rinse. Do not let the mixture stay on the dog too long as it can cause bleaching of the hair coat.
- Bathe dog in his/her regular shampoo and rinse.
- Dry with a towel and allow your dog to air dry in a warm location.
If you get the smell on your clothes, you can wash your clothes in your regular detergent and add ½ cup of baking soda.
How to Avoid Future Skunk Problems
The best way to avoid future skunk problems is to make sure they don’t den on your property.
It’s really easy to make your backyard less appealing to a skunk.
Skunks are opportunistic eaters and dive in for easy pickings. So, make sure you:
- Close garbage cans tight
- Bring outside feeding bowls in as soon as pets are finished.
Next, make your property unappealing as a den site.
Close off comfy skunk den areas such as:
- Open spaces under porches
- Elevated sheds
- Open garages
- Rock and woodpiles
Keep an eye out for skunk dens.
Skunk dens are characterized by a depression dug in the dirt or cleared grass/foliage leading down below a rock or woodpile.
Skunks also like to den beneath covered spaces like porches or sheds.
