09/09/2026
🦨 Skunked?! Here’s what to do first!
If your dog—or adventurous cat—gets sprayed by a skunk, don’t reach for the hose right away! Water can make the odor more difficult to remove.
Dr. Jerry Dragoo of the Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations recommends this fresh, homemade de-skunking solution:
🧴 Skunk Odor Removal Recipe
1 quart (32 oz) of 3% hydrogen peroxide
⅓ cup baking soda
1–2 tablespoons liquid dish soap or pet shampoo
How to use it:
Mix the ingredients fresh right before use. Do not store the mixture.
Apply directly to the affected fur and work it in thoroughly.
Avoid the eyes and mouth.
Rinse your pet thoroughly after treatment.
Repeat if needed.
🦨 A few important tips:
Treat your pet as soon as possible—the sooner, the better!
If you still smell skunk after rinsing, you may have missed an area.
If the odor seems to return when your pet gets wet later, that can also indicate that some of the skunk spray remains.
Hydrogen peroxide may lighten the color of your pet’s fur.
Keep the mixture away from the eyes and mouth, and use caution when applying around the face.
And remember: make a fresh batch every time. This mixture should not be stored.
Hopefully you never need this recipe—but if you do, save this post! 🦨🐾
Recipe attributed to Dr. Jerry Dragoo, skunk researcher and founder of the Dragoo Institute for the Betterment of Skunks and Skunk Reputations.
