How To Get Skunk Spray off of Your Dog

I wish I didn’t know so much about this subject, but unfortunately, I do! The first time it happened I had no idea how to get skunk spray off your dog. Now I feel like an expert!

Although our backyard is fenced in, somehow Ally always seems to get sprayed through the fence. Some occasions are worse than others, but even the slightest skunk smell in the house is too much.

A Little About Skunks

Skunks are not a respecter of location. They can be found in the country, wooded areas, rural areas, and in the city. We live in a rural area, and apparently, there are plenty of skunks around here. 

• Skunks are most active at dusk and dawn. 
• They can spray up to 15 feet away. This is exactly how Ally has gotten sprayed through the fence.
• Although skunks are wild animals, they are pretty docile creatures – if it just wan’t for that spray!
• A skunk’s spray is very intense and oily, which makes it hard to remove from a dog’s fur (or furniture/carpet). The skunk oils are no joke – that is their defense mechanism, and it works well.

A History with Skunks

I have always thought skunks were adorable, as I do most animals. Truth be known, when we would smell them while driving, I didn’t even think they smelled bad.

My mom had one as a pet when she was young (smeller removed of course), and I thought a skunk would make the cutest pet.

My how things have changed! I still think they are cute. but they have wreaked havoc in this household over the past couple years.

Our First Personal Encounters

The summer of 2023 was a bad one for us as far as skunks are concerned. Ally, our furry friend, got sprayed three times within 6 weeks! Two of those times, she ended up inside the house before we had a clue what was going on.

Since that time, she has been sprayed at least two more times that I can remember, even with our new precautions and rituals in place!

The first time Ally got sprayed, it was late at night, and we were getting ready for bed. Ally ran to the fence, trying to get the intruder on the other side. I called to her from the porch, not having a clue what was going on out there.

She came barreling up, ran past me, and straight through the doggie door before I could stop her. At that point, I knew exactly what had happened, but not before she rolled on the carpet and jumped on the bed. Talk about a smelly situation!

My first thought was, “Tomato Juice Bath!” Of course we don’t keep tomato juice on hand, so that was a problem. Jay thought that we might find more effective ways of getting this horrific smell off of her on the Internet. He was right. This homemade recipe works quickly and is much better than tomato juice.

Quick Summary

What You’ll Need for This Homemade Remedy

All of these over the counter products are very inexpensive and can be kept on hand. Do not keep it mixed, but you can keep the individual ingredients ready to be mixed at any time.

• 1 quart (32 oz) 3% hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 4 teaspoons blue Dawn dish soap
• Bucket or large bowl
• Rubber Gloves (recommended)
• Towel(s)
• Optional: Regular Shampoo or Conditioner for dogs

Step-by-Step: How to Remove Skunk Spray Using Peroxide & Baking Soda

#1 Mix the Homemade Solution

Combine peroxide, baking soda, and Dawn dishwashing soap. Do not store this mixture; it must be used immediately. I keep all of these items on hand at all times. It takes less than a minute to make a new batch.

In the picture above, I was almost out of Dawn, so I just added the other ingredients to the bottle.

#2 Apply to Your Dog’s Coat

• If at all possible, bathe your dog outdoors, using a garden hose. Out of the 5 different times she has been sprayed, we were only able to bathe her outside once. It sure helped keep the smell out of the house.
• Avoid eyes, mouth, and the inside of ears.
• The amount of solution you will use will depend on the size of your dog, the thickness of their fur, and the intensity of the spray.

#3 Let it Sit for 3-5 Minutes.

Do not leave longer due to peroxide bleaching potential.

#4 Rinse Thoroughly Using Lukewarm Water

If you are able to use a water hose, the water will be colder, but it will be fine as long as the weather is warm enough and the water is not freezing cold.

#5 Repeat if There is a Lingering Smell

I have never had to bathe her a second time, but it could happen.

#6 Dry and Comfort Your Dog

​Just like people, dogs each have their own personality. Ally is always excited when she gets that smelly mess off of her. My nephew and niece’s dog got sprayed recently. She hates baths, but look at this face.

I think she enjoyed this one.

However, some babies might be a little traumatized by the whole event. Go ahead and give them some love.

Vet Note of Caution

The mixture is generally considered safe but check with your vet if your dog has skin issues or reactions.

Tips for Best Results

• Always use fresh solution (never store it for future use).
• Avoid getting the mixture in the dog’s eyes – use a washcloth for their face.
• Use outside if possible (with a garden hose) – smell may linger indoors.
• Follow up with a moisturizing dog conditioner if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if my dog has sensitive skin?
  • Use less Dawn or rinse sooner.
  • Follow with a regular dog shampoo or soothing conditioner.
  • Watch for redness or itchiness.
  • If irritation occurs, stop and contact vet.
• Can I use this mixture on my dog’s face?
  • Yes, but use it carefully with a wash cloth, avoiding eyes, inside of ears, and mouth.
• Can I store the mixture for later?
  • No – it loses effectiveness, and you will end up having to make a new batch anyway.
• What if I only have baking soda and no peroxide?
  • Alternative gentle cleansers like a mixture of white vinegar may help but are less effective.
  • Try to keep these ingredients on hand.
• How long will the skunk smell last on a dog if it goes untreated?
  • Days to weeks without proper cleansing and neutralization.
• How can I prevent bleaching darker coats?
  • Rinse immediately after bathing and monitor. You may not be able to leave the solution on for the full 3-5 minutes.

How to Prevent Future Skunk Spray Incidents

You would think that after 5 incidents, we should have it down – the follow-through is very important though. As things tend to be going well, we relax, and then we are sorry!

We have tried several things to prevent more skunk sprays. These seem to be working for us:

• Close the doggie door at night! (I started this after her last spray at 2:00 AM!)
• Check the yard at night and early morning before letting pets out. I have never seen a skunk out here, so I use the smell test – just stick your head out the door and smell before letting them out. You will most likely know if there is one in the area.
• Use motion-activated lights or sprinklers. We have outdoor string lights around a large part of the backyard. The neighbors probably think we have a party every night and early each morning. It is an anti-skunk party.
• Keep your dog leashed during nighttime potty breaks if skunks are present.
• Soak old rags in ammonia and place them in areas around the property – under buildings, sheds, bushes, etc.
• Shred Irish Spring bar soap and sprinkle it around fences, sheds, outer buildings, etc. I am still testing this one out, but it works for rodents in an office.

How to Get Skunk Spray out of Your Home

Two of Ally’s encounters were really bad and affected the house. I am sure there is a commercial product out there to help if you get that foul odor in your house, but we used what we had. Here are a few suggestions:

• Wash all bedding, throws, clothes that come in contact with them.
• Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, let is set for a few minutes and then vacuum it. Empty the vacuum.
• Light a strong candle. I had this Rosemary candle, and it worked wonders.
• Set bowls of white vinegar around the house. You can also boil a pan of vinegar if the kitchen area is affected.
• Open the windows if at all possible. We were in the middle of a Texas heatwave, but it had to be done.

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Printable Instruction Card

Yield: 1

How to Get Skunk Spray off Your Dog

Print

All of these over the counter products are very inexpensive and can be kept on hand. Do not keep it mixed, but you can keep the individual ingredients ready to be mixed at any time.

I have found that this mixture works well enough that I have not had to bathe her a second time. That is always an option though.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 20 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

• 1 quart (32 oz) 3% hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 4 teaspoons blue Dawn dish soap
• Bucket or large bowl
• Rubber Gloves (recommended)
• Towel(s)
• Optional: Regular Shampoo or Conditioner for dogs

Instructions

1. Combine peroxide, baking soda, and Dawn dishwashing soap. Do not store this mixture; it must be used immediately. I keep all of these items on hand at all times. It takes less than a minute to make a new batch.
2. Outdoors is best, but if that is not an option, get the dog in a bathtub or shower. If at all possible, bathe your dog outdoors, using a garden hose. Out of the 5 different times she has been sprayed, we were only able to bathe her outside once. It sure helped keep the smell out of the house.
3. Apply the mixture generously to your dog's coat. Avoid eyes, mouth, and inside ears. The amount of solution you will use will depend on the size of your dog, the thickness of their fur, and the intensity of the spray.
4. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Do not leave it longer due to peroxide bleaching potential.
5. Rinse thoroughly using lukewarm water.
6. Repeat if there is a lingering smell.
7. Dry and comfort your dog if needed. Just like people, dogs each have their own personality. Ally is always excited when she gets that smelly mess off of her. My nephew and niece's dog got sprayed recently. She hates baths, but I think she enjoyed this one. However, some babies might be a little traumatized by the whole event. Just give them some love.

Notes

The mixture is generally considered safe but check with your vet if your dog has skin issues or reactions.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you will never have to deal with this problem, but if you do, there is hope. By using this mixture of hydrogen peroxide, Dawn, and baking soda – with a little quick action, you can get rid of the smell on your dog’s coat. 

​By taking a few precautions, you can also prevent future skunk sprays affecting your family.

Thanks to Ally’s protective antics, we have become pros getting skunk spray off of a dog. Hopefully all of this experience will keep you from having to deal with it.

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Until next time,

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