Homemade Dog Wash for Strong Foul Odors

Your dog comes inside with some foul odor clinging to his coat. In some cases, it might have been a skunk, or maybe he rolled in something. Maybe your dog has simply been smelling pretty rank for a while and you want to clean him up. Whatever the reason, you're looking for a homemade solution to your stinky dog problem.

  1. Identify the Culprit

    • What you put into your homemade solution largely depends on what is causing the stink. Skunk and roadkill will be treated differently than a lingering odor that hangs around your dog even though she has been bathed. If the smell is particularly persistent, take your dog to the veterinarian for a full checkup. Foul smells can be a sign of cancer, infection, teeth problems or ear mites.

    Skunk and Roadkill

    • One of the very best solutions for getting rid of skunk or roadkill odor is a homemade mix of 1 pint hydrogen peroxide, 1/8 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon of a dog shampoo or hand dishwashing soap such as Ivory. Mix in an open container, wet the dog down, suds him up and rinse. Be careful to not get any in his eyes. Do not store any excess, and do not keep in a closed container or it will explode.

    Stinky Grease

    • If your dog gets into something greasy and stinky, you can clean your dog with Dawn dishwashing detergent. Few other brands are as good on grease and as gentle on animals. Wet your pet down and lather with Dawn. Rinse and follow up with a second lather and rinse, if necessary.