How to Give a Bath to a Skunked Dog

Everyone who has ever had to deal with a dog that caught the wrong end of a skunk has an opinion about how to get rid of lingering stench left by Pepe la Pew. Unfortunately, what works in one situation, may be less effective in another--it depends on the type of dog hair you're dealing with, the strength of the attack and the products you happen to have on hand. If your dog takes a direct hit, you won't have time to run to the store. Even if the attack was a near miss, left untreated, skunk oil continues to smell for up to 2 years, so ignoring it is not an option. With that in mind, examine the remedies presented in the guide below and check your cupboards to see what is available. Treat your pooch as soon as possible, more than once, if necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Disposable rubber gloves
  • Sponges
  • Buckets
  • Tomato juice or ketchup
  • Liquid laundry detergent
  • Vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Dish soap
  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Mouthwash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on protective rubber gloves and old clothing prior to handling the dog.

    • 2

      Establish the area that has been sprayed. The whole dog needs to be treated, but if your unfortunate pup suffered a direct strike to the face, you will need to start there and act quickly. Dip a sponge in a bucket of cool water and repeatedly wipe the facial area until the dog's eyes stop watering and the pooch stops whimpering. For an extremely bad facial hit, use something mildly acidic, like a tomato or a squirt of ketchup and gently rub into the dog's skin, taking great care to avoid the eyes.

    • 3

      Wash your dog in liquid Tide or other laundry detergent. This is probably the strongest soap you have on hand. Be careful not to get any detergent into the eyes or near the face. Rinse the dog in cool water. Combine 1 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of water and rub the mixture into the dog's fur. If vinegar is not available, use another acidic substance such as lemon juice or tomato juice. Leave this on for 10 minutes. Rinse and repeat. Do not attempt this method if your detergent contains bleach.

    • 4

      Wash the dog in dish soap. Milder, but also somewhat less effective than laundry detergent, this may be a good choice for dogs with sensitive skin or very short hair. Rinse the dish soap and rub the dog down with diluted vinegar or mouthwash and repeat, washing with dish soap until the odor is gone.

    • 5

      Set a large plastic bowl or bucket on a flat surface. If you have not put on protective rubber gloves yet, do so now. Dump 1/3 cup of baking soda into the bowl. Add a squirt of liquid soap. Slowly pour approximately 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide over the mixture. This combination of ingredients creates a chemical reaction that foams and bubbles as the items combine. While it is frothing, slather it on your dog. Leave the mixture on the dog for ten minutes and then rinse away. Dispose of any unused mixture immediately.