Here’s a tried and true method of eliminating skunk odor from your pet’s coat. If you’ve ever had to deal with the noxious odors left behind when a curious pet scares up a cute little skunk, you will remember it always. Skunk spray is a highly smelly natural defense mechanism that leaves a lasting impression if not dealt with completely and thoroughly. The quicker you are able to neutralize the skunk odor, the faster and better the results.To effectively eliminate the obnoxious odor, it is important to know that skunk spray attaches itself by means of projection and has powerful adherence properties. It is an oil like substance and if not neutralized can linger for as long as 2 years. Most pet supply stores sell skunk odor eliminators but they can be quite costly and even inadequate if not used properly. Since this is no time for remedies that ‘almost work’ you can get great results cheaply by mixing your own concoction at home. No need for messy tomato juice baths or other labor intensive measures. Just saturate your pet’s coat with this spray and let dry naturally overnight before bathing them!
What you’ll need:
A large spray bottle
Water
Vinegar
Dawn Dish detergent
A rag or washcloth
Saturate your pet with the spray mixture being sure not to get it into their eyes. It may help to have someone help you hold the dog and keep it from running away. An extra set of hands is additionally helpful for massaging the skunk odor neutralizer into your pet’s coat completely.
Keep spraying entire contents of the spray bottle onto your pet’s coat while massaging the mixture deeply into the fur and down to the skin. Pay special attention to the area that was targeted by the skunk’s spray. Many times when a pet is sprayed, they turn quickly to run away and get hit on the side of their face or body. Even those of us with not so good sniffers can easily detect where the most intense odor is coming from. You’ll want to put an extra amount of this neutralizing agent on those areas. Depending on the size of your pet, you may need to make another batch of the neutralizing mixture. Your pet must be saturated from head to toe in order to get the best end result.
Apply some of the neutralizing skunk odor mixture to a washcloth or rag. After wetting your pet’s face with plain water, use the saturated washcloth to apply neutralizer to the facial area. Don’t get any in the eyes because it will sting. Remember, there is Dawn dish soap, vinegar and alcohol in it and they will irritate your pet’s eyes. Incase of accidental application in the eyes, flush with plain water.
Allow your pet to shake as often as they want to eliminate excess neutralizing spray. Since you’ve massaged it well into the coat and skin, there will still be enough to do the job.
Be sure to spray any bedding or other areas where the pet may have transferred the odor. Don’t forget to do their collar. Use enough of the neutralizing spray to saturate anything that has come in contact with the stinky skunk odor.
Allow your pet to dry naturally, allowing the neutralizer to work. The easiest way to do this is to contain your pet outdoors overnight. When they have dried completely, you will smell the difference immediately. If there are any areas that are still hanging on to some lingering odor, re-spray them and allow to dry.
Once dry, you can now bathe your pet in the usual way and with the usual product normally used.
Tips: Since most products needed are those that we normally have on hand, you will save LOTS of money by mixing up your own neutralizer. Premade recipes can cost in upwards of $10 each for a small bottle.
Be sure to use DAWN dishwashing liquid ONLY. This brand will tackle the ‘oily’ consistency of the skunk spray like no other.
Make sure to bathe your dog after the neutralizing spray has dried naturally so the active ingredients in the neutralizer spray won’t harm or irritate their skin after it has done its job.
