Skunks are very adaptable creatures that can settle down anywhere. They are even thriving in major cities and neighborhoods.
While these mostly shy creatures mostly keep to themselves, they emit a terrible odor when they feel threatened. When they do spray, they produce a smelly oil that sticks to anything it touches like glue.
So what do you do when a skunk sprays your dog? We put together this short list of ways to get rid of the smell to help you out.
Do Not Go Inside
No matter how tempted you are to run straight to the bathtub, resist. The oil that skunks produce can easily transfer to your bathtub and stink up your home. Instead, keep your pet outside until you’ve got them cleaned up.
We would also suggest changing into some old clothes you don’t mind throwing away after you’ve finished. You should also be sure to wear a pair of gloves that way; the oil doesn’t transfer to your hands.
Check Their Eyes
Check your pet’s eyes for any irritation just in case they got sprayed in the face. If you notice their eyes are red and watery, rinse them with cool water until they are clear.
Clean Their Fur
Next comes the hard part, getting them clean. There is a common household myth that tomato juice can remove the smell. But this only has limited successful results.
A better homemade remedy is this one from Union Lake Veterinary Hospital & Pet Services. Use one-quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and a teaspoon of dish liquid. Work this mixture into your pet’s fur and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
After letting the mixture set, rinse their fur thoroughly with clean water. Repeat this process if needed, and then dry with an old towel that you wouldn’t mind throwing away just in case there’s still some oil lingering.
You can also find commercial-grade de-skunking shampoo. Check with your vet for what brand they recommend. Be sure to follow the instructions provided with the shampoo if you choose to go that route.
Go to The Vet
If you simply can’t stomach the smell or you notice your pet has scratches or bite marks, be sure to get them to the vet’s office as soon as possible.
Your vet could help get the smell out and make sure they don’t contract any diseases from the skunk if they were bitten.
Keep The Skunk Away
You can help avoid your pet getting sprayed by keeping the skunk away. You can do this by:
- Keeping your dog on a leash on walks.
- Keeping pet food and water bowls inside.
- Keep grass short and remove weeds.
- Keeping trash inaccessible to animals.
We hope this short guide helped you out. If it did, be sure to share it on social media with your friends and family. We also have other great articles like this one on our blog; be sure to check them out too.
How to get rid of skunk smell in your home
You will want to make sure that your dog stays in a safe area after being sprayed with sketches until you treat them with the right product.
If, however, something from this foul odor enters your home, there are some things you can do to help. Boiling vinegar in a pan is a DIY method that has been found to be safe and effective against the odor inside.
Even arranging open vinegar compartments in rooms that smell (in the style of pets and children who can tip them or drink from them, of course) can help because vinegar can help. Will absorb odor in a few days.
Liquid bleach can help remove odors from hard, outer surfaces like your deck and porch, but first, soak the bleach in water (a cup of bleach works well in a gallon of water), and Then try a small part of the test. May cause deformation. If the odor doesn’t go away immediately, be patient – you can try several of them before it’s completely gone.
Some pet skin shampoos also serve as a desk product for household items and can be used on carpets, fabrics, bedding, canals, and other hard surfaces. When you’re buying a product, read the label to see what else it uses.
How to keep skunks out of your lawn
One of the easiest ways to handle a sketch attack is to avoid it in the first place. Although it is not possible to avoid them completely, there are some things you can do to make your yard less appealing to sketches. For example:
all Close all trash and recycling cans and take-out food bowls. Foods like digging in the trash can, so get rid of any greed.
Pick up the fallen fruit from the fallen trees. Foods like fruit, so they will come to your yard to enjoy the fruit that has fallen from your trees or bushes.
dog Avoid leaving your dog unattended from evening to dawn. Pigs are creepicular, which means they choose to stay out in the evening, dawn, moonlit nights, and cloudy days. Going to the backyard with your dog on the last dog break before getting out of bed feels like a hassle, much better than having to come back after a problem.
Clear hidden potential spaces. Skulls are always looking for sleeping or nesting places with their young and they can go to surprisingly small areas. Clean any piles or debris of wood in your yard and seal any areas of the house.
Spraying with a scope can happen to any other pet, but being prepared with the right solution and attack plan can help you get rid of the problem quickly.
It is also important to make sure that you keep your dog out when you go out, and place your yard properly on fences and doors so that your dog cannot get out or get inside a litter.
