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Dogs are curious creatures. It’s one of their most endearing qualities.
But sometimes that curiosity can turn into a nose for trouble – literally.
Run-ins between dogs and skunks usually mean the dog loses, and a smelly mess for a dog owner to clean up.
What do the experts recommend to do if your dog gets sprayed by a skunk? There seems to be a variety of opinion:
- The Humane Society recommends a mixture of one quart of diluted hydrogen peroxide (3 percent), ¼ baking soda and teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Wash the dog but don’t leave it on too long – you’ll bleach the dog’s fur.
- Some experts suggest two ounces of Massengil brand douche mixed with a gallon of water. Pour over the dog and let it soak for at least 15 minutes. Then bathe the dog with regular pet shampoo again.
- There are commercial odor removers available for dogs. Some contain safflower oil and aloe vera, such as Petpost! brand’s Skunk Odor Eliminator. Others are multi-use products that claim to be degreasers that break down and dissolve the oils of a skunk’s spray, such as Skunk-Off.
- Then there’s the old-fashioned remedy of a tomato juice bath. Basically you wash a dog with regular pet shampoo, towel him dry, then douse the dog with tomato juice and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat as much as necessary. BEWARE: there are many experts who think this is baloney. At best the tomato juice just masks the odor but doesn’t eliminate it. Plus, if your dog is white, the juice can dye him or her pink.
Any of the above options most likely will require multiple – and massively unpleasant – applications.
In the end, the best way to rid skunk smell from your dog is to make sure it doesn’t happen in the first place. Don’t let your dog wander at twilight times of the day when skunks are most active. Also, check your property for places where skunks might gain access, like holes in a fence or a pet door.
Truly, when it comes to skunk spray, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Until next time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
Sources and Links:
What to do about skunks | The Humane Society of the United States
How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell: Off People, Pets, Clothes, and More (healthline.com)
Is it true that tomato sauce will get rid of the smell of a skunk? – Scienceline
By Wallace Keck – CITY OF ROCKS NATIONAL RESERVE — Striped Skunk, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72034325
