Tomato tamato: How to effectively de-skunk your pet.

Don’t Leave them outside to “air out”: de-skunk your dog quickly.

Every dog owner dreads the day their pooch comes in to their home wreaking of Pepé Le Pew. There are a few solutions that work that will help you rid your friend and your home of the putrid scent and a few that you should avoid.

DIY Shampoo

This recipe from The Prairie Homestead suggests that you use this simple recipe:

• 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide (this is the kind you find in the first aid section of your average grocery store. It’s very cheap.)
• 1/4 cup Baking Soda
• 1-2 drops of liquid dish soap (optional)
• 2-3 drops lemon essential oil (optional–but adds extra deodorizing power)
• Rubber Gloves (optional, but highly recommended…)
• Bucket

Once you have gathered all necessary supplies, station your dog outside attached to a leash or in the tub if need-be. Then mix the dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and the baking soda together. Lather and massage the dog’s coat until it is thoroughly covered. Avoid the face, eyes, and any other mucus membranes. Let the dog sit with the mixture on their coat for five minutes before rinsing.

Do not save any of the de-kunking mixture after the bath. It may explode in the container.

After rinsing shampoo your dog using regular dog shampoo and rinse. Dry with a towel and then let air-dry. One application should do the trick but can be repeated if necessary.

Once you’re done, clean the clothes you wore with detergent and baking soda. Then shower.

Tomato Bath

This simply does not work. While it may help the smell at first it will not last long and can become fairly expensive. Before investing money and time into de-skunking your dog, research the recipes well and find one that works.

Be sure to make the dog as comfortable as possible during its bath as well. No one wants wet dog smell and skunk stench throughout his or her house.

Outside

Once you have a clean pooch it’s time to set some ground rules about who is friend and who is foe. I would not suggest punishing them because they were simply acting on their natural instincts, to protect you and your home. Remind your friend where the perimeter of your yard is and let them know what smells are good and what smells are bad. This will keep them safe in your yard and will hopefully avoid any more skunkings.

Some dogs may be more stubborn than others and could get skunked again. Be patient, they will learn eventually.

Sources:

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2011/01/natural-de-skunking.html

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/de-skunking_dog.html