Skunk Spray Emergency: What to Do in the First 5 Minutes

Getting skunk smell out of dog fur starts in the first minutes, before you mix anything. Keep your dog outside, check the eyes, and gather your supplies. Then wash with a fresh mix, and call a vet if your dog seems unwell.

What should you do in the first minute?

1. Keep your dog outside. Don’t let the smell into the house.
2. Check the eyes. Flush red or irritated eyes with cool water.
3. Watch how your dog acts. Call a vet if the eyes stay red, your dog vomits, or seems weak or unwell.

What do you need to gather?

Have these ready before you start washing:

• A fresh bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
• Baking soda and liquid dish soap.
• Rubber gloves.
• An open bowl or bucket for mixing.
• Pet shampoo and towels.

Keep the baking soda, dish soap and gloves together in one bucket before you ever need them, keep the peroxide sealed, and save your emergency vet’s number in your phone. The exact amounts and steps are in our post on the 3-ingredient skunk wash. The key rules: mix it just before use in an open container, keep it away from your dog’s eyes, nose and mouth, and never store it or put a cap on it.

Skunk smell out of dog fur: why it returns when wet

Skunk spray contains thioacetates, which turn into smelly thiols when they get wet. That’s why a damp dog can smell worse days later, and some smell may linger for a few days.

Common mistake	Do this instead
Bathing in tomato juice	Use the fresh wash. Tomato juice only masks the smell
Skipping the eye check	Check the eyes first and flush red or irritated eyes with cool water
Mixing the wash ahead	Mix just before use, in an open container
Putting a lid on leftovers	Throw leftovers away, because pressure can burst a closed bottle
Using hot water on clothes	Use a cold wash and air dry outdoors

What does the wash itself involve?

Once your dog is outside, the eyes are checked and your supplies are ready, the wash follows five steps:

1. Keep your dog outside and put gloves on.
2. Mix the wash in an open bowl or bucket, just before use.
3. Work it through the dry coat, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Leave it about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat if needed.
5. Shampoo with pet shampoo, rinse, towel dry and keep your dog warm.

It may lighten dark fur, so don’t leave it on longer than needed. Don’t use it on carpets, furniture or clothing, because it can bleach them.

What about your clothes and the house?

For clothes, use a cold wash with regular detergent plus 1/2 cup (about 110 g) of baking soda, and air dry outdoors. No hot water and no dryer, because heat can set the odor.

For the house, ventilate with open windows and fans. Bowls of vinegar or activated charcoal can help absorb odor. Keep vinegar far from any bleach, never put vinegar and peroxide in one bottle, and never mix cleaning products.

When to call the vet

Call a vet if the eyes stay red or irritated, your dog vomits, or your dog seems weak or unwell after a spray. Also call if your dog was sprayed in the eyes or mouth. Don’t wait for the smell to be gone first.