What To Do If Your Dog Is Sprayed By a Skunk

Dogs are curious, social animals and enjoy chasing just about any yard critter they lay their eyes on. Unfortunately for our precious pups, this could result in unpleasant encounters with one particularly stinky creature – skunks! When threatened, a skunk can blast their oily sulfur scent up to 15 feet with a great level of accuracy.

What should you do when your beloved furry family member gets hit with skunk spray? Here’s how to successfully de-skunk your pup:

Keep your dog outside

If your pup has been sprayed by a skunk, your first instinct may be to bring them into the house and put them in the bathtub immediately. But the last thing you want is the smell to travel throughout your home. The fewer areas your dog has contact with, the less stuff you will have to de-skunk later. It’s best to check on and clean your pup outside if possible.

Check for injuries

Skunk spray is made up of chemicals called thiols which are make the odor so pungent. These chemicals can also cause irritation for pups when sprayed in their eyes, nose and mouth. It is important to check your dog’s eyes for any redness or distress. If you notice any irritation, flush your pup’s eyes with a generous amount of cool water or saline solution.

Your next priority should be to inspect your dog for any scratches or bites. It’s unlikely, as skunks usually spray from a far distance, but if you observe any open wounds, get your pup to the vet as soon as possible!

Soak up the spray as quickly as possible

Put on a pair of rubber gloves and use paper towel to absorb as much of the chemical spray on your dog’s fur as you can. Be sure to pat the spray off rather than using wiping motions, as you don’t want to spread it around to areas that have not been affected.

De-skunk your pup

Finally, it’s time to fight that foul stench! In order to do so, gather the following supplies:

• 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dishwashing soap
• Rubber gloves
• Old towels

Once you’ve rounded up all the necessary supplies, you can begin de-skunking:

• Mix the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and liquid dish soap in a large container
• Start applying and massaging the mixture deep into your dog’s coat. If your pup has been sprayed in the face, use a washcloth to carefully apply the solution and avoid your dog’s eyes, ears and mouth. Do not wet your pup with water before applying the mixture.
• You’ll want to keep the solution on your pup’s coat for no more than five minutes. If left too long, the solution could bleach your dog’s coat.
• Rinse the mixture off.
• If the smell persists, repeat until the smell is gone.
• Use old towels to thoroughly dry your pup

Follow up with some doggie TLC

Remember that getting skunked can be a very stressful situation for your pup. Once you’ve kicked that skunky smell to the curb, treat your pup to some TLC.

For some extra post-skunk TLC, give your dog some much-needed relaxation at our doggie spa, where our team of spa specialists will get your pup feeling clean, smelling fresh and looking like a million bones! For more information, contact the Dogtopia location nearest you.

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