Your recipe for eliminating skunk smell on dogs

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havasu

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Being a dog lover, whenever my dogs would get skunked, I'd pull out the tomato juice and it would work just so-so, and leave my dogs pink.

As a K-9 officer, I took a class in emergency treatment for our police dogs, and the vet teaching the class only recommended Massengil douche powder, which would be sprinkled on the dogs for for 5 minutes, then we would wash it off. This worked much better, but I always got strange looks when I went to a drug store and purchased a case of douche powder!

I'd like to know what others use to get the skunk smell off our dogs?
 
This what the AKC has to say. Which is pretty close to what we did with the addition of peroxide and dog shampoo.


https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/get-rid-of-skunk-smell-on-dog/

  • ¼ cup of baking soda
  • 1-2 teaspoons of mild dishwashing detergent like Ivory Snow
  • 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution
  • Mix in a bucket and use immediately
  • Work the foaming mixture well into the coat
  • Leave on for five minutes
  • Rinse with warm water
  • Follow with dog shampoo if desired
 
I have never had to de-skunk a dog. We have found that removing cat urine and cigarette smoke smell is best accomplished by using a combination of white vinegar and baking soda. Before we tried the combination together, cat urine seemed impossible to remove. A cup or so of each while washing the items in the washing machine worked well for us.

Yes, there is some bubbling that goes on with the combination of baking soda and vinegar. I wonder if the two would work on skunk? I would include some Dawn dish soap in the mix as well.
 
A bloody mary might work for you, @havasu
I'm kidding, but that's all I keep thinking about tomato juice and I don't even drink alcohol.
Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover might work for you.

https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-de-skunk-your-dog-1117448
Most of the things you'll need to de-skunk your dog are already right in your kitchen or laundry supplies.
  • 1 quart (or two 500ml bottles) hydrogen peroxide 3 percent (U.S.P). It must be fresh (it can expire after opening within 6 months or so, and it must be fresh to be effective)
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons liquid soap (Ivory Liquid Cleanser or Softsoap are often recommended)
  • 1 quart lukewarm water (only needed for very large dogs)
  • A clean plastic bucket, bowl, or another mixing container (uncovered)
  • Clean plastic utensils for mixing
  • Protective eye ointment or mineral oil for the dog's eyes
  • Latex or rubber gloves
  • A protective apron and eye goggles for you, if possible
  • Plenty of paper or old cloth towels
Do not use higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or substitute baking soda with similar products (e.g., baking powder or washing powder). The altered chemical reaction could cause injury to you and your dog.

bathing your dog outside or in an easy-to-clean area of your home, such as a laundry room or bathroom. If you're inside, open a window to air out the area while you're working.

Puralube or 1 to 2 drops of mineral oil to your dog's eyes. This will help protect the eyes in case any of the solution splashes or drips in them.

Make the Solution
In a plastic container, combine 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap. Add lukewarm water if needed for larger dogs. Mix the ingredients well.

A chemical reaction will occur and the solution will start to fizz. Use it immediately as the effectiveness will decline rapidly. Do not store this mixture or place the solution in a closed container or spray bottle. The pressure will build up and the container could burst. This could cause injury to you and your dog.

Apply to the Coat
Promptly begin cleansing the affected areas thoroughly, massaging the solution deep into your dog's coat to break up the oils from the skunk spray. You may wish to use a sponge, washcloth, or bath brush/curry comb. Avoid getting the solution in your dog's eyes, ears, or mouth (or your own).

Rest, Rinse, and Repeat
Allow the solution to remain on your dog for at least five minutes or until the odor is undetectable. Meanwhile, be sure to keep your dog from licking any of this solution!

Once the solution has done its job, rinse your dog well with lukewarm water. If necessary, repeat the wash with fresh batches of the solution as needed until the odor is gone.

Dry your dog well.
 
Mentioned above is "Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover might work for you."

My dog got sprayed a couple days ago. I had a bottle of that stuff on the shelf. Applied it to her fur, waited 5 minutes per instructions then gave her a bath.

95% of the smell is gone. The last 5% was residual around her face as you're not supposed to get that skunk remover in their eyes, ears or near the mouth.

Couldn't be happier with the product!
 
Luckily, I've never had to de-skunk anything in my entire life. But it might be worthwhile to order some of that Skunk-Off or Nature's Miracle stuff at Amazon just to have on hand. I imagine when you need it, you need it, and even Amazon's Prime Two-Day shipping is not fast enough!

I do remember a Boy Scout campout at a local ranch when my son was young. It was a couple of nights long, and they slept in tents mounted on slightly raised wooden platforms. The skunks slept under the slightly raised wooden platforms. The boys were taught that when a skunk approaches, they should just freeze in place until the skunk left on its own. With a couple dozen skunks running the campground, it was somewhat comical to watch. It looked like a bunch of kids in a stop-action movie, with a whole lot of stopping. Bug dang it, it worked! Not one boy got skunked the entire trip. Although the residual odor around the place wasn't all that nice.
 
Being a dog lover, whenever my dogs would get skunked, I'd pull out the tomato juice and it would work just so-so, and leave my dogs pink.

As a K-9 officer, I took a class in emergency treatment for our police dogs, and the vet teaching the class only recommended Massengil douche powder, which would be sprinkled on the dogs for for 5 minutes, then we would wash it off. This worked much better, but I always got strange looks when I went to a drug store and purchased a case of douche powder!

I'd like to know what others use to get the skunk smell off our dogs?
I learned this recipe from a friend of my FIL's who is a trapper and it 100% works. I have DUMB dogs so I know first hand.... Several times over.
16oz hydrogen peroxide
1regular box of baking soda
16oz white vinegar
This is important... BLUE Dawn dishwashing liquid.

I keep all of this together out in my shop in a 10 gallon bucket with a nylon scrub brush and a pair of black rubber gauntlets.
 
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