Don't forget the skunk supplies

[Tom7227]

As soon as you realize your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, don some rubber or latex gloves and old clothes and look her over for bites or scratches. Also check her eyes for redness or discharge. If any injuries are found, you should contact your veterinarian before proceeding.

Time is of the essence here - the longer you wait to begin the process, the harder it will be to remove the stench. Get set up for bathing your dog outdoors or in an easy to clean area of your home (laundry room, bathroom, etc). If indoors, open a window to save your nose!

Apply a small strip of eye lubricant (such as Puralube) or 1-2 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.

In the plastic container, combine 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap. Add lukewarm water if needed (for larger dogs). Mix ingredients well. The solution will fizz, as a chemical reaction is occurring. Use immediately - do not store.

Do not soak your dog with water prior to bathing. Promptly begin cleansing the affected areas thoroughly, massaging the solution deep into your dog's coat. You may wish to use a sponge or washcloth. Avoid getting the solution in the eyes, ears or mouth.

Allow the solution to remain on your dog for at least five minutes (longer if strong odor persists).

Rinse your dog well with lukewarm water. Repeat steps 3-5 as necessary until odor is gone.

Dry your dog well and give her a treat!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Good post Tom.

I'll add that there are a TON of skunks out there this year. More than I've ever noticed.

Be prepared.

[LMITOUT]

Here is the skunk kit that I assembled a few years ago. I wrote the "recipe" on the inside of the lid for easy reference.

[Tom7227]

Maybe you should add a set of nose plugs.

[Kyle]

First thing on the way to the duck blind yesterday, my dog got sprayed. It was our first time dealing with this. I made sure he was ok, and didn't get it in his eyes. Took his neoprene vest off and dunked him in the pond. We hunted the rest of the day. I bathed him once with the the hydrogen peroxide recipe, then got some skunk remover shampoo. The shampoo worked really well, but he still smells a little. I'll be bathing him as many times as necessary to get the smell off...

I will have a skunk kit with me from now on.

[brittman]

A faint skunk odor will probably be present every time the dog gets wet the next month or so.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Go to the dollar store, buy a couple bottles of the cheapest mouthwash you can find, and bathe the dog in it.

It will not get rid of the skunk smell but will cover it up and the dog will smell minty fresh until the remaining skunk spray wears off.

[Kyle]

My dogs head still stinks. I'm going to try the mouth wash trick. I plan to apply it with a soaked rag.

[brittman]

Be careful. Mouthwash has alcohol in it. My past experience says you will just have a dog with minty tinted skunk smell.

The remedies (tomato juice, mint, commercial skunk sprays, and the skunk kit noted above) will all work to a certain degree. BUT, it has been my experience that a small level of lingering skunk smell (that intensifies when dog is wet) will hold on for a few weeks, maybe a month or two. It fades away ...