How do you Deskunk a dog?

1. ¼ cup of baking soda.
2. 1-2 teaspoons of mild dishwashing detergent like Ivory Snow.
3. 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution.
4. Mix in a bucket and use immediately.
5. Work the foaming mixture well into the coat.
6. Leave on for five minutes.
7. Rinse with warm water.
8. Follow with dog shampoo if desired.

Skunks in Nashville are everywhere. And it’s difficult to get rid of the skunk smell after spraying it on your dog or cat. Oh, we know.

It disrupts your entire day, puts you in a panic to avoid contamination, and spreads the odor throughout the house. And when you sit down to wash your pet, you feel helpless to do anything about the skunk-like smell that clings to his or her fur despite numerous baths. Pet owners run the risk of going through a messy ordeal the entire year, and we hear their annoyances every day.

Here are some excellent tips that will assist you if you decide to forego our deskunking grooming package and must eliminate skunk odor at home.

Veterinarian Beth Turner has worked in the field for more than 20 years. After completing her studies at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, she started her career as an associate veterinarian and collaborated closely with the neighborhood shelter.

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She designed and built her own clinic in 2007, realizing her dream of being her own boss. Serving as the county’s shelter veterinarian while running her clinic was another fulfilling responsibility. This gave her the chance to work with the rescue she adored while also helping many animals in her community. To relocate across the country in 2019, she sold her practice.

It’s crucial to examine your dog for injuries before attempting to get rid of the skunk smell. Scratches or bites could result from coming into contact with a skunk. Check the dog for bites or scratches while wearing old clothes and rubber or latex gloves. Check your dogs eyes for redness, swelling, squinting, or discharge. If any injuries are suspected, contact your veterinarian before proceeding. Never ignore any wounds you find because skunks can carry rabies.

On some materials, the skunk spray removal solution might have a slight bleaching effect. Additionally, after coming into contact with the solution, your dog’s coat might start to look a little bit lighter. If this occurs, the impact should disappear as fresh fur emerges to replace the old. Fear not—your black dog won’t turn into a platinum blonde!

Organic Deskunking: Plan A

A quick online search will return hundreds of recipes for de-skunking your cat or dog. If you choose to treat your pet at home, the two methods listed below are by far the best organic ways to do it:

TOMATO JUICE. Douse your pet in tomato juice and let it sit for no less than 7-10 minutes. We are not too fond of this method due to the risk of staining fur, but it does the job pretty well. Rinse and shampoo as usual.

VINEGAR. Mix 2 parts of water with 1 part apple cider vinegar in a plastic bottle (preferably one that you can squeeze). Using gloves, wet coat and work one section at a time, starting with the skunk-sprayed area. The solution should sit for no less than 5 minutes to fully enjoy the deodorizing properties of vinegar. Rinse coat. You may need to repeat this process 2-3 times. No worries, the vinegar smell on your pet’s coat will vanish in 1 to 2 days.

FAQ

What neutralizes skunk smell?

Chemically neutralizing the skunk odor, chemist Paul Krebaum discovered a solution that converts the pungent thiols into flavorless acids. 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap, 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and 1 quart of fresh, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide are the other ingredients.

How long does it take for a skunk scent to wear off a dog?

Skunk odor can linger for up to two weeks, or 14 to 21 days. The best methods for getting rid of odors from your clothing, furniture, hair, or dog’s fur involve using peroxide or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

Will vinegar take skunk smell from dog?

Your preferred pantry item, vinegar, can be used to eliminate the skunk smell from your dog. Just combine two parts water and one part apple cider vinegar. Rub the mixture into your dog’s fur after wetting its coat. Sit for five minutes, during which you may consider how much you adore skunks.

How do I get the skunk smell off my dog without peroxide or vinegar?

TOMATO JUICE. Put tomato juice on your pet and let it sit for at least 7 to 10 minutes. Due to the possibility of staining fur, we are not fans of this technique, but it works quite well. Rinse and shampoo as usual.