Dogs are naturally curious and sometimes kinda dumb, they will chase all kinds of other animals including skunks. More than one dog owner has headed to a vet with a stinky dog after dog meets skunk. Skunks can spray up to 15 feet and do so pretty accurately, so if your dog starts barking at a skunk get him out of the way as quick as you can. If you don’t make it in time here is what to do.
Don’t Bring them Inside
Once your dog has been sprayed leave them outside, once you bring them in you will have that smell stuck in your house. The less of your furniture and stuff your dog comes into contact with the less you have to de-stink later on.
Make Sure Your Dog is Okay
Skunk spray doesn’t just stink it has chemicals that can harm your dog if it gets into their eyes, ears, mouth or nose. Look for any signs of redness or irritation and flush the area with water. Make they got sprayed from a distance and didn’t get into a wrestling match with the skunk.
Dry Them Off
Grab a couple of rolls of paper towels, some rubber gloves and try and dry off your dog as much as possible. Pat the dog with the paper towels don’t try and wipe or you will just spread it around.
Get Rid of the Skunk
Contrary to the old wives tail, tomato juice isn’t going to clean your dog, neither will lemon juice or plain old dog shampoo. Here is what you are going to need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Dish soap (Dawn works best)
- Rubber gloves
- Old towels you can throw out
You are going to want to do this outside. Get a bucket or big container and mix together some peroxide, baking soda and dish soap, take the mixture and start massaging it into your dog’s coat. Use an old facecloth around the face. Don’t spray down the dog before you start you want to apply this to a dry coat. Leave it on for a couple of minutes but no longer than five minutes. Grab the hose and start rinsing your dog off. If your dog still stinks then repeat until they don’t smell anymore.
You might want to take your dog to get groomed in the near future where your dog can get a proper bath. Watch your dog carefully in the summer months skunks might be cute but they don’t take to being chased well at all.