Essential Oils For Skunk Smell On Dog

It happens … your dog goes out exploring and comes back with that “Oh So Special” aroma. What do you do when your dog just got sprayed by a skunk? Are there any essential oils for skunk smell that work?

This is never a pleasant situation for anyone involved and your dog desperately wants to get back inside the house, but you’re not so sure you want to let him or her in! Although time is the only way to completely rid our pets of skunk aroma, there are some natural solutions and essential oils for skunk smell to help speed up the process, without resorting to harsh chemicals. We have tips below you can use to help your dog and your house smell a whole lot better!

(To be fair, skunks are only doing their job and protecting themselves, we love all animals and that includes skunks!)

De-Skunk your Dog Recipes

There are two tried-and-true recipes for de-skunking our canine companions that get good results that can be used as a first step.

The first is a well-known trick, a tomato juice or brewed coffee bath. Just pour tomato juice or cool coffee all over your dog. Rub in (make sure to wear gloves and old clothes) and let it set as long as is possible then rinse with tepid water.

The second recipe below has been recommended by many dog owners:

Mix together:

• • 1 quart hydrogen peroxide
  • 1/4 C baking soda
  • 1 tsp of a natural, chemical-free, unscented liquid laundry soap or Dawn dishwashing detergent

CAUTION: Although all of the ingredients are harmless in nature they will create a chemical reaction that could explode a closed container. Mix this solution and then use it immediately – DO NOT store!

The first two ingredients are alkaline which chemically changes the skunk essence into an odorless chemical. The soap breaks down the oily molecules from the skunk secretion. Remember with the hydrogen peroxide the solution will get bubbly, spray the dogs with the mixture and then hose them off. Use a cloth dipped in the solution to wipe your dog’s face, then another clean wet cloth to wipe the solution off. Be very careful to not get ANY solution or rinsing water into the dog’s eyes. Repeat a couple of times.

These two recipes should help eliminate most of the smell, but the reality is that skunk aroma tends to linger. So here is a shampoo recipe you may want to use over the next couple of months. It smells so good you might just enjoy giving your dog a bath!

Dog Shampoo using essential oils for skunk smell

This recipe uses our favorite essential oils for skunk smell 

• 8 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Clary Sage
• 3 drops Coriander
• 8 oz. a natural, unscented dog shampoo

Mix together and shampoo your dog as usual. If you only have lavender essential oil, you can use 15 drops of lavender instead.

Essential oils for skunk smell in the home

For your dog’s favorite spots at home (whether that’s their bed or yours!) you can use e3’s Love Your Pet Lavender Hydrosol. This is a great way to get rid of any funky smells on bedding or another favorite hangout spot. Simply spray it on the area you want to freshen up. You can also use it to condition your dog’s skin if it seems a bit dry after using the de-skunking recipes.

This gentle product was designed specifically for pets since they have super-olfactory senses. In fact, this hydrosol can be used for those of you who have pet skunks! Learn more here, Hydrosols for Pets — The Safest Aromatherapy Option.

If the skunk aroma seems to have permeated your home, e3’s Purify Spritzer can be used as an air freshener, without the synthetic fragrances found in most air fresheners. (You can also make your own spritzer using your favorite combination of essential oils.) e3’s Purify blend was designed to overpower unpleasant odors so you can use it in your aromatherapy diffuser or by placing several drops of the essential oil blend on cotton balls and placing them strategically around your home as needed. Just don’t use these spritzers on any bedding used by your pets, since as mentioned earlier, they have a stronger sensitivity to scent than we do!

What’s your favorite essential oil for freshening your home? Please come to our Facebook page and share your tips with us. For more information on using essential oils, download our free ebook, “Listen” to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy.)