How to Clean a Dog Sprayed by a Skunk

Has your dog been skunked? Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to have this happen to their dog, knows what a chore it can be to remove that powerful odor. You will have an easier time with the deskunking if you act fast. Skip the tomato juice though, as it doesn't do that great of a job and also can stain light colored fur. Here's a recipe for a mix that does do the trick.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 tsp. of Dawn dishwashing detergent
  • 1 quart of 2 percent hydrogen peroxide
  • 1/2 cup of baking soda
  • Mixing bowl
  • Water source
  • Tub for bathing
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      When you first realize that your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, immediately lead your dog to the tub for bathing. The quicker you start the cleaning process, the better chances you have for the treatment to work.

    • 2

      In a bowl, mix the detergent, peroxide and baking soda. Create a lather, and starting with your dogs head, wash towards his back and end with the legs and feet. Be sure to completely cover all of the dogs body with the mixture, avoiding the eyes and nose. Rinse.

    • 3

      Repeat Step 2, but this time leave the mixture on a little longer. This will give it a chance to have a more potent effect. Once again rinse and towel dry your dog. It is not recommended at this time to use a heat source for drying. The deskunking mixture will unfortunately leave the skin and fur in a very dry condition. A heat source will cause even further drying of the skin.

    • 4

      Continue the process daily until the odor is removed. In about a week, you can give your dog a conditioning treatment for the dry skin. Applying a conditioning treatment during the process, will counteract it's effectiveness.