How to Get Rid of Fox Poo Smell on Dog

If you walk your dog in UK parks or woodland, chances are you have met the worst smell nature can offer: fox poo. One shake of the coat and the stench fills the car, the house, even your dog’s bed. With 13.5 million dogs now living in 17 million UK homes (UK Pet Food 2024 pet population report), the scale of the problem—and the smell—is growing.

This guide gives pet owners a safe routine that really works. You will learn why rolling in fox poo is an evolutionary survival tactic, why ordinary shampoo struggles against the oily odour, and which household items—baking soda, dilute white vinegar, even tomato ketchup—help or harm. Follow the steps and you can eliminate fox poo smells, protect your dog’s health and keep your own nose happy the next time you head out on muddy walks.

Why dogs roll in fox poo

To us, the stench is vile, but for a dog it is fox poo enjoyable—a smelly badge of honour. Behaviour vets at the PDSA say the habit likely comes from wild ancestors who masked their own scent from prey and predators alike.

When a dog finds fresh droppings it lowers the head, rubs the dog's eyes and shoulders into the pile, then gives a triumphant shake. The roll spreads the strong smells over the dog's fur so the pack can “read” the news: new animals in the area, what they ate, where they travelled. Dogs also gain social points—much like bringing back an interesting scent to camp.

Knowing this instinct helps you train it away. Call your dog back the moment you notice a head-down posture; clip the lead on and reward a clean recall. A pocket treat is more appealing than a full bath later! Consistent interruption plus a “leave it” cue can cut dog rolling incidents by half within a month.

Is fox poo dangerous?

Beyond the nose-curling stench, fox droppings can carry parasites and bacteria that threaten both dogs and people.

• Toxocariasis. Foxes shed roundworm eggs. If a child touches contaminated soil then rubs their eyes, the larvae can migrate and, in rare cases, damage sight.

• Leptospirosis. The UK Health Security Agency lists this disease as part of the core vaccine for dogs because it spreads in wildlife urine and can cause kidney failure.

For dog owners these facts mean quick, thorough clean-up is about more than smell—it prevents health issues. Always wear rubber gloves, dispose of kitchen roll or wipes in a sealed bottle-style bin liner, and keep the affected area away from children until washed. Regular worming, yearly Lepto boosters and a good scrub after every roll will keep the whole family safe.

Gear up before you wash

Set up a mini “decontamination zone” outside or in a ventilated bathroom:

1. Protect yourself. Gloves, old clothes and a damp cloth stop cross-contamination.

2. Pre-clean tools. Two buckets—one with warm water and baking soda (natural deodoriser), the other plain water for rinsing. Keep a jug to gently pour over the dog’s fur.

3. Cleaning agents. A specialist shampoo for strong smells, plus dilute white vinegar (five parts water to one part vinegar) to break down oily thiols. Avoid neat bleach or disinfectant sprays; the Blue Cross warns they can burn paws .

4. Drying kit. Old towels, an absorbent dog robe and a hair-dryer on low heat for long coats.

Having everything within arm’s reach means you can move fast, limit the smell spreading indoors and turn a dreaded chore into a five-minute clean up rather than a full-blown bathroom drama.

Smell science

Fox dung is loaded with sulphur-rich thiols—the same molecules that make skunks so notorious. Thiols bond to the oily layer of a dog’s coat, which is why water alone does little. To get rid of fox poo odour you need three actions:

• Lift: Rinse first to remove loose solids.

• Break: Work enzymatic or oxidising shampoo into a rich lather for two minutes; it splits the thiol bonds.

• Neutralise: Rinse, then spray the vinegar mix or dust with baking soda for thirty seconds before a final wash.

The 5-step wash routine

A quick rinse won’t beat the worst smell in the world, so give your dog a structured scrub that really eliminates fox poo smells.

The Humane Society also recommends the peroxide-bicarb blend used for skunk spray as a plan B if odor lingers, but warns it may bleach dark fur.

What NOT to use

Tomato ketchup is a popular myth. Like tomato juice, it only masks odor; it doesn’t break the chemical bond that makes fox poo enjoyable for dogs. The AVMA lists bleach, phenol disinfectants and full-strength hydrogen peroxide among household products that can burn paws and eyes . Even “pet-safe” wipes can trap scent deeper into the coat if you only dab the surface.

Skip human perfume too: the alcohol dries skin and, once it fades, the fox poo smell roars back. If you need a quick fix on the trail, wipe with a damp cloth dipped in vinegar water, then finish the full bath at home. Remember, strong smells like citrus oil may scare off other animals but can irritate your dog’s nose.

Bottom line: stick to baking soda, dilute white vinegar, and a shampoo made for dogs—that’s how to get rid of fox poo smell on dog safely and fast.

After-wash TLC

Once the suds are gone, give your dog a two-minute health check. Look for redness around the dog’s eyes, nose or belly. Parasite experts at Cornell University note that cuts or raw skin can let roundworm larvae in, so monitor any scratches for swelling .

Next, brush through the dry coat to spread natural oils; this restores the dog’s fur barrier that keeps new dirt from sticking. If the weather is cold, use a blower on low heat rather than prolonged towel friction, which can create mats in long coats.

Reward your pup with a chew or a calm cuddle—positive association makes the next full bath easier. Finally, wipe down leads, collars and the back seat with the same vinegar mix so stray molecules don’t reignite the stench later. A five-minute extra clean-up now prevents days of mystery odor in the car.

Keep Your Dog’s Gear Fresh

When fox poo smell creeps from your dog onto the house, the fabric items that absorb it fastest are dog beds, sofa covers and travel car beds. Here’s how to get rid of fox poo smell on dog gear without ruining the material—or your nose.

1. Strip and shake outside

Unzip or un-Velcro removable covers and take them outdoors. Shake off loose dog droppings so eggs don’t reach carpeting. Wear rubber gloves and bag the debris.

2. Pre-treat the worst spots

Sprinkle baking soda on any brown smears, mist with dilute white vinegar (five parts water), and let the fizz pull sulphur oils to the surface. Blot with a damp cloth.

3. Machine-wash hot

Roundworm eggs die at 140 °F / 60 °C , so launder covers on a high-heat cotton cycle with an enzyme detergent. Add ½ cup vinegar to the rinse for extra deodorising.

4. Hand-clean the inner foam

Most foams aren’t washer-safe. Fill the tub, add two tablespoons vinegar, gently pour over the insert, then sun-dry—UV light helps neutralise lingering odour.

5. Upgrade to easy-wash kits

If the stench keeps winning, pick gear built for quick clean-ups:

• Waterproof Sofa Cover – non-slip backing, easy to remove and machine wash.

• Waterproof Dog Bed – waterproof lining, removable cover, machine washable, no need to rub foam.

• Car Seat Bed – removable lining, easy to throw in the washing machine.

These products cut clean up time in half and stop that worst smell from settling deep into cushions. A quick brush once dry, and you’re back on the road—free of fox-poo funk and ready for the next adventure.

FunnyFuzzy's Waterproof Dog Bed 

Stop the next roll

Training plus yard tactics can rid you of repeat offenses.

On the trail

• Teach a rock-solid “leave it.” Clip the lead on the moment you notice head-down sniffing—classic dog rolling posture.

• Reward clean recalls. A high-value treat beats the thrill of rolling in fox poo.

At home

Food scraps lure foxes. The USDA Wildlife Services advises securing bins, removing fallen fruit and clearing brush so foxes feel exposed. Motion lights or a sprinkler on a timer can humanely get rid of fox visits.

If droppings keep showing up, contact your state Wildlife Services office for non-lethal help; professional guidance prevents illegal trapping and protects local predators that balance ecosystems.

Yard proofing, plus vaccines and monthly dewormers, slashes both health issues and laundry loads for pet owners across the U.K.

FAQs

What neutralizes the smell of fox poo?

A mix of baking soda and dilute white vinegar changes the pH and breaks odor molecules.

Does tomato sauce get rid of fox poo smell?

No—evidence shows tomato juice or ketchup only masks odor and can stain light coats

How to remove poop smell from dog fur?

Follow the 5-step routine: rinse, bicarb soak, specialist shampoo, vinegar rinse, condition.

What to do if a dog rolls in a fox poo?

Clip on the lead, scrape solids with disposable wipes, then start the wash before the oils set.

Conclusion

Fox encounters are part of life for millions of U.K dog owners, but the smell doesn’t have to follow you home. By pairing wildlife-smart yard habits with a science-based bath routine, you can rid of fox poo odor, protect your dog’s health and keep your household fresh.