Our Granddog was sprayed by a skunk!

[pstovall]

We keep our daughter's little miniature pinscher for her while she is touring with her band (which is most of the time). Cinnamon has become very protective of our backyard, and last Friday night she was dutifully chasing a skunk out of her personal territory, when she suffered the consequences. My husband was outside with her when it happened, and he said she was coughing and sputtering and wiping her face like crazy on the grass.  At first smell, I immediately started Googling what to do.  The ehow article that I found said to shampoo her with dog shampoo first, then rub either tomato sauce or tomato paste into her fur and let it stand for twenty minutes. You then rinse, dry, and repeat the tomato rub for another twenty minutes. It said that if the dog still smelled bad after the tomato application, you could try a peroxide, baking soda, dog shampoo recipe. Many websites will tell you that the tomato product method for getting rid of skunk smell is a myth, but thankfully, it worked for us and we didn't need any further treatment.  She was back to her regular doggy smell the next day.

[Kohler]

Better the dog than your husband! One is much easier to put outside for the night 

[falcon9]

Better the dog than your husband! One is much easier to put outside for the night 

The husband?
 

[Warhol04]

I've had the same thing happen to my sister's Chihuahua.  The tomato rub worked as well.  I wouldn't say I live totally in a rural area (a highway is less than 20 yards away, a public tennis court is little over 100 yards away), but armadillos, 'possum, skunks, coyotes, deer, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and foxes are somewhat common.   

[tashamjoy]

Im more shocked you have a granddog !!!

[CharmedPhoenix]

I've always heard about the tomato juice bath too.  Good thing she's small with short fur.  Could you imagine dealing with a collie?!   

[koolcraftlady]

I really had to laugh when I saw Granddog.  Another way is to bathe them in lemon juice.  Although I prefer the tomato juice bath.  Been through that with my mini schnauzer once.  Boy, she stunk!!!!!!

[vickysue]

It has to be the most awful smell of all. Tomatoe juice does help. But still there is some smell for awhile. In trying to clean the dog you probably got it on you too Huhm

[Abrupt]

I remember watching a mythbusters episode regarding skunk spray remedies.  Here is what they tried and their conclusions and justifications:


Beer — busted. Still skunky and not like bad beer.
Tomato paste — plausible. Eau de skunk still snuck through the acidic sauce.
Feminine hygiene product — busted. Douche doesn't double as a skunk scrub.
Commercial skunk-scent remover — plausible. Orangey with a hint of skunk.
Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap — confirmed. From skunky stench to squeaky clean.

Why did hydrogen peroxide work? The oxygen molecules in the soapy solution neutralized the skunk scent by bonding to those terrible thiols. By altering that chemical makeup, this stink-fighting antidote made the smell quickly disappear.  The recipe they used was: 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, ¼ cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid.