Skunk Odor Recipe

Deskunking Your Dog

The old folk remedy for skunk smell removal is tomato juice. The reason this was passed down through the generations is that it worked! Skunk spray is alkaline, and acidic tomato juice will neutralize the alkaline odor.

To make your own on-the-spot deskunk remedy, look for mild, acidic ingredients. The best choice is a mild, acid-based detergent, such as those made for washing wool. Infinity Heavenly Horsetail is one brand with a pH of 4.5, no synthetic perfume, and it works wonderfully. A rinse made of a mixture of 2/3 water and 1/3 organic apple cider vinegar could work, too, but make sure not to get such acidic ingredients in the dog's eyes.

A number of veterinarian sites on the internet, and the book, Storey's Basics Country Skills, A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance , recommend the following do-it-yourself recipe for deskunking your dog. Most supermarkets carry all of these ingredients. Note that this is an alkaline recipe, so it works on a different principle than that of tomato juice.

WARNING:  The following technique can bleach the dog's fur. 

Deskunker 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1 teaspoon liquid soap

Wet the dog, and work the formula through their fur. Leave the mixture  on the dog for four or five minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Throw out any leftover remedy.

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