How to Remove Skunk Odor

Ah, it must be spring. The flowers are blooming, the birds are returning and your beloved Fido just had the year's first skunk encounter.

Many people have a pet like Fido -- a cat or dog that seem to view skunk hunting as an enjoyable hobby, much to the dismay of both the skunks and pet owners. Although most pet owners associate a skunk encounter with the smell, there is also the threat of rabies -- skunks are the second-most common carrier of rabies.

Pet owners who have had the experience of smelling their pet before seeing them, also have learned the hard way that tomato juice is not going to remove the smell. In fact, the other popular substances, like mouthwash, white vinegar and orange juice do not usually work either.

Good news! Paul Krebaum of Lisle, Illinois discovered a formula that does remove the smell. The recipe is below. Warning: do not try to bottle any extra it will explode any bottle or closed container you use.

1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
1 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid soap (Dawn dishwashing detergent is often recommended, though any dish soap will work)

Mix in a bucket or bowl; it will be fizzy. Thoroughly wet your pet with the solution. Knead it into the coat, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth (you can use a sponge to wipe it onto your pet's face). Rinse thoroughly.

How does it work? Skunk spray is made of highly odorous compounds called thiols. By making oxygen molecules bond with thiols, the smell substance is chemically altered into order-free neutral substances

Perhaps between the spraying and the bath, your pet will learn not to mess with skunks. Well, we can always hope.