Pets always seem to get sprayed by a skunk at night, on weekends or on holidays, when the groomer and pet store isn't open to buy some Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover solution or other special skunk odor removal shampoo.
Fortunately, there are several home remedies for removing skunk odor from a pet's fur. And luckily, the ingredients for these skunk odor remedies for pets can be found inside most homes.
Before starting, it should be noted that all of these home remedies to neutralize skunk odor on a pet's fur do have the potential to cause discoloration to the fur. This discoloration will be semi-permanent, with some degree of fur discoloration lasting several months until new fur grows in. Therefore, owners of cats and dogs who participate in dog shows, cat shows, animal modeling, etc. should avoid using these remedies.
Owners of show dogs and show cats (and any other owner who would find fur discoloration objectionable) should always keep a bottle of skunk odor neutralizing pet shampoo on-hand, just in case.
Consider these skunk odor recipes for pets, all using ingredients that can be found around the house:
Skunk Odor Removal Home Remedy 1
Ingredients
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide - 1 Quart
- Baking Soda - 1/2 Cup
- Liquid Dish Soap - 2 Teaspoons
Directions
- Begin by mixing the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and liquid dish soap.
- Immediately massage the skunk odor removal solution into the dog or cat's fur and skin.
- Continue to work the skunk odor remedy into the pet's fur, as would be done with shampoo.
- After ten minutes, thoroughly rinse the solution from the pet's fur using running water.
- If the odor remains, repeat steps 1 through 4 or try Skunk Odor Removal Home Remedy 2.
Skunk Odor Removal Home Remedy 2
Ingredients
- Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 Gallon
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide - 1 Quart
- Baking Soda - 1/2 Cup
- Liquid Dish Soap - 2 Teaspoons
Directions
- This remedy is for more stubborn skunk odor cases involving a cat or dog's fur. Begin by performing steps 1 through 4 in Skunk Odor Removal Home Remedy 1.
- Pour apple cider vinegar onto the dog's fur and massage the vinegar into the skin and fur.
- Massage the vinegar into the pet's fur and skin for ten full minutes to neutralize and eliminate the skunk odor in the pet's coat.
- Rinse the cat or dog's fur thoroughly with running water.
- Wash the pet with a gentle pet shampoo to eliminate the odor of vinegar that will remain in the pet's fur.
Skunk Odor Removal Home Remedy 3
Ingredients
- Vinegar - 1 Cup for the Skunk Removal Shampoo and and additional 1/2 Cup for a Post-Washing Rinse Solution
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide - 1 Pint
- Liquid Dish Soap - 1 Cup
Directions
- Mix the three ingredients: vinegar (1 cup), hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap.
- Apply the skunk odor removal home remedy to the dog or cat's fur and work the solution into a foamy lather.
- Massage the skunk odor removal solution into the pet's coat and skin for ten full minutes.
- Rinse the solution from the dog's or cat's fur using running water. It may take a while to rinse away all of the soap.
- If the odor is still quite strong, repeat steps 1 through 4. If the skunk odor in the dog or cat's fur is largely gone, continue on to step 6.
- Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1/2 gallon of fresh water.
- Apply this vinegar and water solution to the pet's fur. Do not rinse the solution out of the fur; allow the pet's fur to dry.
- After 24 hours, shampoo the dog or cat's coat to remove any residual vinegar odor, if necessary.
When the skunk odor has been removed from the pet's fur, dispose of any left over solution that was mixed to neutralize the skunk odor. These skunk odor removal solutions are not stable and they cannot be stored once mixed.
Notably, tomato juice does not work as a remedy to eliminate skunk odor; tomato juice only masks the sulfur-based skunk odor - tomato juice does nothing to neutralize or eliminate skunk odor from a pet's fur or clothing. It should be noted that there is some evidence that the components of tomato juice cause some of the skunk spray compounds to break down, making the odor easier to remove via other more effective methods.
Pet owners should also examine their pet's eyes after an incident involving a dog or cat who is sprayed by a skunk. Many pets who are sprayed by a skunk are hit directly in the face. This can cause severe eye irritation that requires veterinary attention in some cases. Flush the pet's eyes for ten full minutes with lukewarm water and follow with soothing eye drops. If redness and irritation persists or worsens, a visit to the veterinarian will be required as soon as possible.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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