Home Remedies for Skunk Smells From a Pet

When they are outside, your pets can encounter many new and exciting things, some of which are dangerous, such as skunks. Skunks can spray your pet, leaving behind that powerful smell. You should treat your pet immediately. Unless you have commercial cleaners on hand, you can create your own with household ingredients. Regardless of what method you use, wear rubber gloves to keep the smell off yourself.

  1. Face Treatments

    • If your pet has been sprayed in the face, the first thing to do is rinse his eyes with running water or saline eye drops. According to William F. Flood of Humboldt University, the spray from a skunk can act like a tear gas, irritating the sensitive membranes of the eyes. Rinsing your pet's eyes will help remove the spray and minimize the discomfort it can cause. If his eyes seem extremely irritated, contact your vet immediately.

      Then give your pet some tomato juice or tomato sauce to drink. This will clean his mouth and help neutralize the odor there. If he will not drink the tomato juice, you must rinse his mouth with it, using an oral syringe or spray bottle.

      Finally, you should clean his nasal cavities. Mix one part water and one part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Adjust the nozzle to create the finest mist it will provide. Spray a small amount of the mixture into your pet̵7;s nose. Do not spray too much fluid up the nose--a very fine mist will do it.

    Vinegar Method

    • Vinegar is a well-known multipurpose household product. It is great for cleaning and for removing odors in your home--including those on your pet after she has been sprayed by a skunk.

      To clean your pet, first soak a sponge in distilled white vinegar and coat the sprayed area with the vinegar. This will help neutralize the smell from the spray. After you have neutralized the odor, you can bathe her. First, use liquid dish soap to break up the oily spray; then use your usual pet shampoo and conditioner to complete the bath.

    Baking Soda Mixture

    • Another simple mixture to clean your pet after a skunk spray is a mixture of 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, a box of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons liquid dish detergent. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly, and use a sponge to coat the sprayed area on your pet. Leave the mixture on him for at least 20 minutes. Then give him a bath using your regular pet shampoo and conditioner.

      Be aware that hydrogen peroxide can bleach your pet̵7;s hair. So, if you are concerned about a color change in his coat, do not use any method that includes it in the ingredients.

    Second Baking Soda Mixture

    • For an alternative cleaning solution that also uses baking soda, mix together 1 gallon apple cider vinegar, 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons liquid dish detergent. Pour this mixture directly onto your pet where she was sprayed, and use your hands to massage the mixture in. Leave it on her coat for 10 minutes before rinsing it off and washing her with your usual pet shampoo and conditioner.