And there you have it! Have you or your pet been sprayed by a skunk and are desperately looking for a recipe to remove the skunk smell? The smell of a skunk requires a special recipe to get rid of it. A majority of people mistakenly think that the only way to get rid of the smell is to take a bath in tomato juice.
Unfortunately, tomato juice is deceptive. While it helps to reduce the smell, it’s actually our olfactory fatigue that makes us believe that this trick works. Also, you risk staining your towels.
If you want to get rid of this unwanted animal, do not hesitate to contact our wildlife extermination services by our experienced exterminators for a quick and humane skunk capture .
With our team of experts, we know how to trap a skunk without the risk of injuring the animal.
Discover our recipe to get rid of your pet’s skunk smell. We also invite you to discover all the risks associated with skunks.
Why does a skunk water?
Skunks water when they feel threatened and their first sign of aggression is ignored. The main victims are your pets. Then, your dog or cat enters the house, and there, the whole residence smells of skunk. Find out how to get rid of a skunk.
What is the composition of the jet secreted by the skunk?
The jet is actually the contents of the skunk’s anal glands . These glands contain musk. Musk is composed of thiols and thioacetates. Thiols are volatile components, and thioacetates react with water. That’s why a simple hot water bath and dog shampoo aren’t a good recipe for getting rid of a skunk’s scent.
In fact, you might even feel like the smell gets worse after this bath.
What to do when a skunk is watering?
The most important thing is to clean your companion as quickly as possible. Forget tomato juice, this one is not as effective as rumors say. You can get products against skunk odours at a pet shop.
Otherwise, there are a few recipes to get rid of the skunk smell from products you have at home.
What are the dangers?
In addition to its unpleasant smell, skunks carry several diseases.
Conjunctivitis
Does your dog have red eyes and secretions after his encounter with the skunk? It is possible that the child was sprayed directly in the eyes and developed conjunctivitis. A short visit to the vet and a prescription for eye drops will solve the situation.
Oral irritation
If your pet gets sprayed in their mouth, they are at risk of developing mouth ulcers. Other symptoms are vomiting and other irritations. If your pet refuses to eat, consult a veterinarian to receive a mucous membrane protector.
Rabies
In addition to its bad smell, the skunk also transmits rabies if it is rabies. We therefore recommend that you vaccinate your pets against rabies if they are at risk of being in contact with a skunk.
There is little risk of your pet becoming rabies simply from being sprayed. On the other hand, if there is a bite on one side or the other, the risk increases.
Rabies is a serious fatal disease that has no treatment to date. It is also transmissible to humans who are bitten, and is fatal to humans.
Leptospirosis
Just like rabies, being watered is not enough to contract leptospirosis. However, if a skunk is lurking around your home, it is possible for your pet to become infected by its urine.
Toxic shock syndrome
The risk is low, but not non-existent. A dog that receives a jet directly in the mouth and absorbs a large portion of musk is at risk of developing toxic shock syndrome. If you think so, don’t waste time. Take your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic for prompt treatment.
Toxic shock syndrome is fatal and develops rapidly. In less than 24 hours, your dog will develop rapid anemia, as thiols destroy red blood cells.
The miracle recipe for removing the skunk smell
Here is the list of ingredients for our recipe against skunk smell:
- 1/4 cup baking soda (small cow);
- About 1 liter of hydrogen peroxide;
- 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap;
- 1 liter of water.
The secret to this homemade trick is to have enough mixture to cover your pet entirely. Rinse and repeat. Also, focus on cleansing your eyes and face to avoid the risk of developing diseases such as conjunctivitis and oral irritation.
To remove the skunk smell from your home and furniture, you can also make a mixture of warm water and bleach (1 liter of water per 10 ml of bleach). However, it is necessary not to mix this solution with other cleaning products, which are not compatible with bleach.
How do you prevent a skunk from watering?
When you take your pet out, turn on the outdoor lights and make noise. Attaching bells to the collar warns the skunks and scares them away before the encounter. For walks, keep your dog on a leash at all times.
Call on experts in wildlife extermination
If you have any questions about the skunk, its smell or the recipe, contact us.
Trust our experienced exterminators to get rid of skunks on your property. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you need to have a skunk captured.
Comparison of the five deodorization solutions
There are several methods available to neutralize skunk odour, but their effectiveness varies considerably depending on the chemical mode of action. The table below compares the five most common approaches.
| Recipe | Effectiveness | Time of action | Cost | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peroxide + baking soda + soap (Krebaum) | Very high | 5 minutes + rinse | Low unstable | solution, to be prepared just before |
| White vinegar + water (50/50) | Low to medium | Several applications | Very weak | Mask without neutralizing, not very effective |
| Tomato Juice | No | N/A | Moderate Myth | , does not neutralize thiols |
| Baking soda alone Medium | 30 minutes | Very low | Must be combined with peroxide | |
| Commercial Solutions (Nature’s Miracle, Skunk-Off) | High | 15 to 30 minutes | Moderate | Available in pet stores |
The Krebaum recipe (peroxide + bicarbonate + soap) remains by far the most effective: it is the only one that chemically neutralizes volatile thiols by oxidation. The other approaches mask the smell without acting on the molecules responsible, which explains the return of the smell a few hours later.
Three typical cases of decontamination
Dog sprayed directly by a skunk
The most frequent case. Apply Krebaum solution immediately after brushing the hair to remove debris. Insist on the face and neck area (the skunk usually aims at the attacker’s muzzle). Two applications spaced 24 hours apart may be necessary for long-haired dogs. Keep the dog outside or in a garage during the first application to prevent the smell from settling in the house.
Clothing and fabrics on display
For washable clothes: pre-soak for 30 minutes in a diluted Krebaum solution, then wash normally with the addition of a cup of baking soda. Air drying is mandatory (the heat of a dryer fixes the smell). For delicate or non-washable fabrics (coats, leather shoes): outdoor ventilation for several days plus light spraying of Nature’s Miracle commercial solution. For contaminated upholstered furniture: call a professional cleaner.
Car after the skunk sprays near the air intake
A special case that is often underestimated: the skunk can spray the bumper or the underside of the vehicle. The smell enters the passenger compartment through the ventilation. Solutions: Wash the exterior of the vehicle with the Krebaum solution, place several bowls of baking soda in the passenger compartment for 24 to 48 hours, then spray clean air in recirculation mode for 30 minutes. For stubborn cases, an ozonation service at an automotive professional gets rid of persistent odors.
The Science Behind Skunk Smell
Understanding the chemical composition of the jet helps to choose the right neutralization method. Three characteristics make this smell so difficult to eliminate.
A family of thiol molecules
Skunk spray contains mainly thiols: (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol and their derivatives. These sulfur compounds are among the most odorous known, with an olfactory detection threshold of about 10 parts per billion. By comparison, humans detect thiols 1,000 times better than they detect sugar or salt.
Why tomato juice doesn’t work
Tomato juice temporarily masks a phenomenon called olfactory fatigue: the olfactory receptors quickly become exhausted when faced with a strong smell and stop perceiving it. The person thinks the smell is gone while the thiol molecules are still present. As soon as the receptors rest (go out for some fresh air), the smell returns the same.
How Peroxide Actually Neutralizes
Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes thiols to transform them into sulfonates, odorless compounds. The bicarbonate stabilizes the reaction, the soap disperses the oils that transport the thiols. It’s a real chemical reaction that removes molecules, unlike air fresheners that only mask.
Questions
What is the most effective recipe for skunk smell?
The reference recipe combines 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. It was developed by an American chemist (Paul Krebaum) and neutralizes the volatile thiols responsible for the odor by oxidation. Mix just before application: the solution is unstable and loses its effectiveness after a few hours. Apply to dry coat or contaminated surface, leave on for 5 minutes, rinse thoroughly.
Why is tomato juice not working?
Tomato juice temporarily masks the odor without removing the thiol compounds that are responsible for it. The illusion of effectiveness comes from the phenomenon of olfactory fatigue: after 5 to 10 minutes in contact with a strong smell, the olfactory receptors stop perceiving it. The person thinks the smell is gone while the molecules are still present. As soon as the nose resets (go out for a breath of fresh air, blow your nose), the smell returns. No chemical reaction removed the thiols.
What is the composition of skunk jet?
The sprayed liquid contains mainly thiols (volatile sulfur compounds): (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol and their derivatives. These molecules have an extraordinarily low olfactory detection threshold (around 10 parts per billion), which explains the persistence of the odor even after significant dilution. The skunk stores about 15 ml of liquid and can project it up to 3 meters accurately. Once depleted, the tank takes 7 to 10 days to replenish.
How do you clean a watered dog in practice?
Five steps to decontaminate a dog sprayed by a skunk:
- Prepare the solution just before application : 1 litre of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of dish soap.
- Brush the dog’s hair to remove solid debris and allow the mixture to penetrate.
- Apply generously, avoiding eyes and muzzle. Massage for 5 minutes to work into the undercoat.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water until the mixture is completely removed.
- Then wash with a mild dog shampoo. For severely affected dogs, two applications spaced 24 hours apart may be necessary.
Keep the dog outside or in a garage during decontamination, the smell will permeate the fabrics of the house.
How to eliminate the odor on clothes and fabrics?
For washable clothes: add 1 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle, use an enzymatic detergent, air dry (the heat of a dryer fixes the smell). For delicate fabrics: soak for 30 minutes in a diluted solution of the above recipe before washing. For the car: leave bowls of baking soda in the passenger compartment for 24 hours, plus a spray of clean air with positive pressure. Several washes may be necessary.
How long does the smell linger in a house?
If a skunk is watered near a house without direct penetration: 1 to 2 weeks with natural ventilation. If the odour was introduced through a ventilation system or open windows: 2 to 4 weeks with active decontamination (activated carbon, bicarbonate in bowls, ozonator). If the animal has entered the house or died in it: 4 to 8 weeks minimum, plus a thorough cleaning of exposed textiles, insulation, and ducts. Odours trapped in wood or drywall can persist for several months.
Should you consult a veterinarian after watering?
Yes in two cases: prolonged eye irritation (redness, excessive tearing beyond 30 minutes after rinsing) and any oral exposure (vomiting, ataxia, neurological signs). The liquid is non-toxic but can cause hemolytic anemia in some dogs if ingested on a massive scale. For uncomplicated watering, a homemade cleaning is enough. If the dog has been bitten (suspect a fight), consult a doctor quickly: the skunk is a vector of rabies in Quebec.
Areas Served
Our teams intervene for skunk problems on the South Shore and Montérégie. We cover the entire South Shore , Longueuil, Brossard and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
