How to Get Rid of Skunk Spray in a Dog's Mouth

A dog that has had an unfortunate run-in with a skunk smells terrible, and the smell will soon begin to infest the whole house. Besides the odor, skunk spray contains sulfur, which makes it painful and irritating if it gets in a dog's mouth, nose or eyes. A dog's face can't be washed with the same solutions you would use to get the smell out of the fur, but it's possible to clean out the mouth to make the dog more comfortable and smell better.

Resist the urge to cuddle a dog that's been sprayed by a skunk, no matter how upset it is, and keep the dog from running around the house because skunk spray is an oil and spreads easily. Check a skunked dog all over for any bites or scratches from the skunk.

Rinse the dog's eyes, nose and mouth with cool, clean water as soon as possible after exposure. Carefully rinse out the inside of the mouth with water, and give the dog water to drink. Skunk spray hurts your dog because the high sulfur content burns the sensitive skin on the face, and the longer skunk spray stays on a surface, the harder it is to remove.

Make a solution of 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1½ tbsp. gentle dish detergent in the bucket. Without wetting the dog's fur, massage the solution into the fur. Clean the areas where spray is visible first, and let the soap sit for a few minutes.

Put a small amount of solution on a clean rag, and gently rub the dog's snout, head and outsides of the ears with it. Be careful not to get the solution in his eyes, nose, mouth or ears. Carefully rinse the dog's face first, then rinse the rest of the fur with cool water. You might have to wash the dog like this several times during the next few weeks to really get the smell out.

Call your vet if the dog's face is very irritated from the spray. Skunk spray can temporarily blind dogs and cause respiratory problems.