So it happened. It was late and you let the dog out only to have him or her get sprayed by a skunk. It never usually happens during daylight and more often happens just as you are about to go to sleep.

Thus, don't be like me and not know what to do when your precious 'pup' smells horrific and all you want to do is just go to sleep.

Skunk spray is oil based. You can have a commercial skunk remover under the sink or in the basement on hand just in case. More than likely, you will only have thought to purchase that only after you have had to deal with a skunk spray.

Here is what I used on the black Lab, Roxanne, when I was house sitting her. Let's just say, it was the most horrific smell.

  • 1 quart, 16oz of 3% hydrogen peroxide
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap, liquid hand soap, or baby shampoo. (I used Dawn, because it was what I had on hand and it is known for dissipating oil.

Combine the above ingredients in a bucket or plastic pitcher. Uses this mixture to wash your dog. If possible allow it to sit on the dog for a few minutes, approx 5 mins or so. Then rinse. Use old towels to dry the dog off.

Keep in mind that you may need to reapply this solution again in a few hours. Also, one thing that I noticed, I smelled this skunk smell for the first hour or so. Then you sort of become immune to it. Just keep that in mind when you show up to work the next day and you are the one that is smelling like skunk.

Good luck.

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