Skunks are gentle, often misunderstood creatures that have adapted remarkably well to urban and suburban life. But when curiosity gets the better of your four-legged friend, it can quickly turn into a smelly situation. If your dog gets sprayed by a skunk, you’re in for quite the olfactory adventure. The good news? You’re not stuck with the smell forever—and there are ways to get your pup smelling fresh again.
What to Do When Your Dog Gets Skunked
If you’re Googling “skunk spray my dog” while holding your nose, take a deep breath (ideally from across the yard) and follow these steps.
Step 1: Keep Them Outside
Before anything else, keep your dog outside. You don’t want that skunk scent spreading through your home. Check their eyes for irritation—if they’re red or watery, gently flush them with cool water.
Step 2: DIY De-Skunking Mix
If you don’t have a skunk odor remover like Nature’s Miracle on hand, here’s a simple home remedy:
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
Put on rubber gloves and apply the mixture to your dog’s fur (avoid the eyes). Let it sit for just a few minutes—hydrogen peroxide can bleach fur—then rinse thoroughly. No peroxide? Diluted vinegar is a backup option.
⚠️ Important: Do NOT store this solution. It can explode if kept in a closed bottle.
Step 3: Shampoo & Dry
Wash your dog with pet shampoo to remove any lingering smell and rinse well. Towel-dry them and let them warm up in a cozy, sunny room.
Step 4: Clean Yourself
If you’ve been sprayed too—or just came into too much contact with your freshly-skunked pup—wash your clothes in regular laundry detergent and add half a cup of baking soda to banish the stench.xtra Tips for At-Home De-Skunking
Extra Tips for At-Home De-Skunking
1. Be Careful with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a key ingredient in the de-skunking mix, but it can stick to surfaces like your bathroom walls or bathtub if it dries out during the rinse.
Tip: Rinse your dog in an area that’s easy to clean, like a plastic kiddie pool, walk-in shower, or even outside with a hose (weather permitting). If you do use a bathtub, rinse the walls immediately after to avoid residue buildup.
2. Protect Yourself
Wear old clothes, rubber gloves, and possibly even eye protection. Skunk oil is potent and difficult to remove—not just from dogs, but from humans too!
3. Trim Excess Fur Beforehand (If Safe)
If your dog has a thick coat, especially around the chest or neck where skunks often aim, gently trim away any heavily sprayed fur after the initial rinse. This can help reduce lingering odor.
4. Ventilate the Area
If you’re bathing your dog indoors, make sure the room is well-ventilated. Turn on a fan, open windows, or even use an air purifier. Skunk spray can quickly fill the room and cling to fabrics and surfaces.
5. Use an Old Towel (or Two maybe Four)
You probably won’t want to reuse the towels after. The smell can stay in the fabric even after multiple washes. Have some designated dog-cleaning towels on hand for emergencies like this.
6. Follow Up with Recurring Baths
Even after your dog is “de-skunked,” some odor might linger. Use a gentle, deodorizing pet shampoo for follow-up baths over the next few weeks. Avoid over-bathing, though—2 to 3 times a month is usually enough to avoid drying out your dog’s skin.
Book a Pro Session if It’s Too Much
DIY methods can work—but if the smell is still lingering or the cleanup feels overwhelming, it’s time to bring in the pros. A deep clean and odor removal session can eliminate skunk oil trapped in your dog’s coat and skin, leaving your home and your pup fresh again.
How Long Does Skunk Smell Last on a Dog?
If left untreated, the skunk odor can linger for weeks or even months—especially when your dog gets wet. Even after a good rinse, traces of skunk oil can cling to fur and skin. That’s why a one-time bath isn’t always enough.
To fully remove the smell and prevent long-term odors from setting in, consider booking a professional deep clean and odor-removing session. These services use industrial-grade products and techniques to reach skunk oil embedded in fur and pores.
Consider Recurring Baths
Even after professional help, your dog might benefit from weekly or bi-weekly baths for a month or two following the incident. This will:
- Help fade any remaining odor
- Keep their skin and coat healthy after exposure to harsh substances
- Reduce the chance of residual smell coming back after rain or swimming
Prevention Tips for the Future
- Avoid letting your dog roam freely at dawn or dusk—prime skunk hours.
- Keep garbage secured and pet food indoors to avoid attracting skunks.
- Train your pup to respond to voice commands so you can redirect them before a nose-to-tail encounter.