Does tomato juice actually remove skunk smell?
Does tomato juice actually remove skunk smell?
A popular myth is that bathing an animal in tomato juice will eliminate or neutralize skunk odor – it does not. While bathing an animal with tomato juice might wash off some of the chemical components causing the odor, it does nothing to chemically alter or neutralize the odor.
Does tomato sauce help with skunk smell?
Contrary to urban legend and online myth, tomato products, such as tomato juice and sauce, do not eliminate skunk smell. These products may help mask odor, but they do not oxidize or destroy the thiols or thioacetates that cause them.
What chemical is responsible for skunk smell?
thiols
The chemical makeup of the spray is different depending on the species, but all of them contain special types of compounds called “thiols.” Thiols, also known as “mercaptans,” are a type of chemical group made up of a sulfur and hydrogen atom bonded together. And they typically smell really strongly.
Is a skunk’s spray harmful?
No. Skunk spray is not poisonous. It will not kill you or your pets, but a direct hit to the eyes has been known to cause temporary blindness. The spray can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as watery eyes and itching.
What do you do if your dog gets sprayed by a skunk with tomato juice?
Veterinarians recommend using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap for pets who have been sprayed by a skunk.
Why use tomato juice for skunks?
Tomato juice does not make skunk odor go away. More specifically, tomato juice does not react chemically with the skunk odor to destroy it. Instead, it simply has a strong enough smell on its own to partially mask the skunk smell.
Can you use tomato juice on dogs skunk?
Bathe your dog with dog shampoo. Dry him off, then cover him in tomato juice, saturating the coat completely. Let the juice soak for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing it out. Wash your dog again with dog shampoo.
Are skunks acidic?
Skunk spray is alkaline, and acidic tomato juice will neutralize the alkaline odor.
Is a skunk spray flammable?
6. Skunk Spray is Highly Flammable. This is not the point, of course (although how well would that work to fend off predators?), but it is a side effect of spraying a chemical weapon comprised of thiols, the sulfur-based compounds found in garlic and onions that happen to be highly flammable.
Is skunk smell toxic?
Does tomato juice wash away the smell of a skunk?
[CREDIT:SIR FROG] Nothing is quite as jarring as the smell of a skunk, especially if you’re the one who’s been sprayed. But contrary to folklore, bathing in tomato sauce or juice won’t wash away the stench. Tomato juice simply masks the skunk smell. It does not eliminate it.
Why does skunk spray smell so bad?
The overpowering, offensive scent of skunk spray is attributed to sulfur-based organic chemicals called thiols and thioacetates, which stick to hair and other surfaces. Thiol compounds give skunk spray its blast of immediately pungent smell that’s reminiscent of rotten eggs.
What are the components of skunk spray?
Two highly volatile thiols, (E)-2 butene-1-thiol and 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, are the main components responsible for the characteristic odor of skunk spray [source: Wood ].
What are the most effective antidotes for skunk spray?
The most effective antidotes are those that neutralize the spray’s main ingredients by changing them into different, nonsmelly compounds. The exact composition of skunk spray depends on the species, but the main offender common to all skunks is a group of organic compounds called thiols.
