What To Do If Your Dog Gets Skunked
Thu, February 02, 2012,Dogs are curious creatures by nature. That's why we love them, but it can also get them into some stinky trouble! This is especially true of dogs that are let off leash in wooded areas, as they will sniff out and explore for other animals. If your dog happens upon a skunk, it is likely that he will be sprayed.
When a skunk is frightened, it will growl, raise its tail in warning and then emit a spray (mercaptan, which is sulphur-based) at its target. This spray not only has a terrible odour, it can also cause temporary blindness if it hits your dog's eyes. The smell is very pungent and can last for up to two years, so its important to act quickly to get it out of your dog's fur.
Tips for getting the skunk smell out:
1) Check your dog for any signs of cuts, open wounds, injuries or discomfort. Skunks can carry rabies and other diseases. If your dog is bleeding or seems in distress, you should take him to a vet immediately for medical care.
2) If possible, leave your dog outside to prevent the smell from getting into your home (your dog will want to rub himself over your furniture to get the smell out). Before handling your dog, change into some old clothes as skunk oil is very difficult to remove from fabric.
3) Use paper towels (or an old towel you will throw out) to soak up the excess oil from your dog's fur. Try not to spread the oil around.
4) Wash your dog with canine shampoo and only clean the affected area for the first washing. You will likely have to wash your dog a few times, so save the all-over bath for the end.
5) After washing, you can use store-bought products to de-skunk your dog. It's a very good idea to have a spare bottle of these products lying around for use in just such an emergency!
6) There are also the 'old wives' methods of covering your dog's coat with tomato juice or mouthwash and then bathing the dog with canine shampoo. However, these are often not as effective as a store-bought shunk spray (and tomato juice could make your dog's coat all red!). Another home-made recipe for de-skunking is a combination of 1 Qt 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 tsp. liquid soap.