How to De-Stink a Dog After a Skunk

Dogs are playful and inquisitive creatures. This leads them into some entertaining antics, but it can also lead them across the path of a skunk. Smelling that unmistakable odor as your dog comes bounding back into the house is both amusing and annoying. Removing the smell from your dog is a fairly simple process that requires patience from both you and your dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper towels
  • Shampoo with degreaser
  • Tomato juice
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Apply paper towels to the dog's skin to absorb as much of the oil as possible. Hold them firmly to its coat, but not hard enough to cause pain.

    • 2

      Wash the dog with a shampoo rich in surfactants. This will lift the oil from the hair. A shampoo listed as a degreaser is likely to have the ingredients you need. Rub the shampoo into the dog's coat thoroughly to lift as much of the oil out as possible.

    • 3

      Rinse the dog with water until you remove all the shampoo. Repeat this process until no more shampoo remains.

    • 4

      Apply tomato juice to the coat the same way you applied the shampoo. The acidity of tomatoes helps to neutralize the odor. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse. Be wary of using it with lighter colored dogs, as it may stain their coats.

    • 5

      Contact your vet if these methods are not successful. She can recommend other effective treatments. If the vet is closed when your dog is sprayed, continue applying the treatments above until you eliminate as much of the smell as possible.