How to get rid of skunk spray

Chemist Paul Krebaum discovered a solution that changes the odorous thiols into odorless acids, thereby chemically neutralizing the skunk odor. The formula is: 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (fresh bottle), • ¼ cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and • 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap.

The smell from skunk spray can linger for two to three weeks, so if you’re the unfortunate recipient you need to act fast. Skunk spray is pungent, oily and hard to remove. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to neutralize.

If people or pets come into the house before being de-skunked, you may find that the smell lingers in the air. To get rid of it, boil vinegar in a pan. The home will now smell like vinegar, but once that smell is gone, the skunk odor should also be gone.

Neutralize the Odor in the Skunk’s Oil

Have your dog wait outside while you prepare a simple mixture containing: a quart of hydrogen peroxide. ¼ cup baking soda. 1 – 2 tsp dishwashing detergent (blue Dawn dish soap)

A popular myth is that bathing an animal in tomato juice will eliminate or neutralize skunk odor – it does not. While bathing an animal with tomato juice might wash off some of the chemical components causing the odor, it does nothing to chemically alter or neutralize the odor.

Mild skunk smells can usually be removed by simply airing out your home, but stronger skunk smells that have worked their way into fur, clothes, or carpeting can linger for several months to several years if immediate action is not taken. If a skunk has died near or under your home, skunk scent will linger far longer.

Prepare a Wash Station

The last thing you want is that special skunk smell all over your house. White vinegar mixed with lemon juice will cut through a good chunk of the smell. Dr Bronner’s makes a citrus soap that also does a surprisingly great job on skunk smells. Both are chemically mild and easy on the animal.

Hot water, liberal amounts of detergent and 4 cups of vinegar in the wash water. Otherwise the scent will soak into the fabric permanently. You can try adding some baking soda alternating with vinegar is the wash on alternate loads to get that entire stink out.

When a skunk sprays your dog, take a deep breath (away from your stinky dog, of course) and get ready to fix the issue. When left untreated, skunk odor can last up to three weeks, so you’ll want to follow these steps immediately to make everything more comfortable for you and your pet.

In general, skunk spray isn’t dangerous to your dog. The exception occurs when the spray gets into his eyes; it can actually act like tear gas. If his eyes are red or irritated, contact your veterinarian. It’s very important that you do not spray your dog with water after he’s been sprayed by a skunk!

Skunk spray and tear gas are both lachrymators — chemical substances designed to irritate the eyes and nose, causing redness, mucus production, and tears. In some instances, the scent of skunk spray may even cause nausea.

A bright light or a motion sensor flood light will scare skunks away. Most animals, including skunks, dislike the smell of citrus fruits. Place orange or lemon peels around the yard as a natural skunk repellent. Predator urine (dogs, coyotes) can be used to repel a skunk.

In a plastic container, combine 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap. Add lukewarm water if needed for larger dogs. Mix the ingredients well. A chemical reaction will occur and the solution will start to fizz.

A condition known as skunk toxic shock syndrome, which is VERY rare, occurs when some of the compounds in a skunk’s spray (thioacetates) destroy a pet’s healthy red blood cells. An animal experiencing this syndrome initially presents with weakness and pale gums and progresses to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and anemia.

Not only does skunk spray smell extremely foul, it will cause nausea or vomiting and in rare cases severe anemia if swallowed and will act like tear gas if it gets in the eyes. If your dog gets sprayed directly in the eyes or mouth, seek immediate veterinary treatment.

High concentrations of skunk spray are toxic and potentially fatal to humans, according to a 1999 study in Chemical Educator. The powerful stuff has been likened to tear gas because it can cause temporary blindness, coughing, and gagging.

Bring your dog to the veterinarian immediately if he has been sprayed by a skunk and is showing intense discomfort. Not only will he be surrounded by a never ending odor, the sensations in his eyes, nose and mouth may be causing him to feel nauseous.

A peroxide and baking soda solution.

Mix together one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup of baking soda, and one teaspoon of dish soap or laundry detergent. With gloved hands (and a sponge or washcloth, if you can spare one), scrub the victim’s fur and/or skin thoroughly with the mixture.