If your little furry friend digs roaming around the garden, there’s a good chance that a skunk spray can stink them. Let’s not talk about how disgusting that stench is! It will linger wherever your pup steps in. Before your house turns into a stinky mess, scroll down to learn how to deal with a skunk-sprayed dog!
In This Article:
6 Steps To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell On Dogs
1. Bring The Pup Outside For A Quick Check-Up
No one wants their pooch to carry that stink indoors, so the first thing to do is to take them outside. You can select a place near the garden hose for easier bathing.
If the weather is bad or you don’t have available outdoor space, the bathroom is the last resort. Remember to remove shower curtains, towels, bath rugs, and other fabric items to which the smell tends to cling.
Once you’ve picked an appropriate bathing spot, it’s time for a check-up. Pay close attention to their eyes because this sensitive part can easily hurt. Look for these signs:
- Redness or swelling
- Watery eyes
- Pawing at the eyes
- Excessive squinting or blinking
- Temporary blindness
If their eyes appear irritated, flush them with clean, cool water for temporary soothing. Cool water can somewhat ease the irritation and numb the pain. Then, wash their eyes with dog-safe veterinary eyewash. Since we have to care for a lot of pups every day, we always save some of these products just in case.
2. Prepare Skunk Odor Removal For Dogs
You can make a DIY solution to deodorize your pup with just three ingredients: 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide (3%), 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap, and ¼ cup of baking soda. You can find hydrogen peroxide at any supermarket or drugstore.
Before using this mixture, here are some notes to keep in mind:
- This homemade solution can be too harsh for pups with sensitive skin. Consider other alternatives for your furry friend.
- Avoid using hydrogen peroxide exceeding 3% because it can lead to severe irritation.
- Don’t leave the mixture on your dogs’ fur for an extended time since its bleaching effect can damage their coat.
- Don’t let the cleaning solution contact the pups’ eyes to avoid irritation, redness, swelling, or severe pain.
- Hydrogen peroxide can induce vomiting if ingested. So, don’t let your pup lick themselves after applying the solution.
- Don’t make this mixture in advance. Avoid putting it in a bottle or closed container because it can explode.
If this hydrogen peroxide solution is not an option, try other alternatives like apple cider vinegar or white vinegar mixed with water (preferably with baking soda). Otherwise, a commercial cleaning product also works just fine.
Other items you need to prepare include:
- Disposable rubber/silicone gloves to protect your hands from the bleaching effects of hydrogen peroxide.
- A dog-safe conditioner
- Regular dog shampoo
- A clean towel (we recommend using an old one so you can ditch it afterward)
- A clean cloth
3. Clean The Eyes & Face
First, put on your gloves.
Soak a cloth into the cleansing mixture and wring it out until damp. Then, gently wipe your pup’s face. Be careful around the eye area, moving outward so the cleaning solution won’t get into their eyes. You can use a specific cleanser for their eyes, but ensure to get a dog-safe product.
Again, don’t let the hydrogen peroxide mixture find its way into their nose and mouth.
4. Clean The Coat
Don’t rinse the pooch because the cleaning solution has a greater effect on a dry coat. Dampen the prepared towel and wipe the whole body of your skunked dog; pay more attention to areas with long and thick fur.
Rinse the pup thoroughly using the garden hose.
If you still notice a lingering smell, continue cleaning its face and coat until there’s no pungent odor left.
5. Wash It With Shampoo & Apply Conditioner
Once the stink is gone, wash your dog with its regular shampoo to remove the hydrogen peroxide smell. Then, pat dry your furball using a clean towel. You don’t want it to drip water on the floor or roll on the ground with its wet fur.
Finally, apply a deep conditioner to make up for the moisture loss of their fur and skin. Dry skin can be the breeding ground for other issues.
Since your pups have been washed several times, let them play in a sunny spot for 1 – 2 hours so they won’t get a cold.
6. Clean Your Clothes & The Washing Area
During the cleaning process, there’s a high chance that the stink will stick to your clothes and the surrounding area. Wash your clothes immediately with a common laundry deterrent, along with ½ cup of baking soda to remove the skunk oil. Otherwise, you can go for other safe odor removers for your washing machine.
Then, clean the bathing area thoroughly to get rid of any lingering smell of skunk.
Tips To Prevent The Skunk Odor
There are a few things you can do to keep this stinky nightmare at bay:
- Skunks love to venture out during day breaks, so it’s recommended not to walk or take your pup out at dusk and dawn, especially near wooded zones.
- Once you see your dog approaching a skunk, don’t panic. Calmly call them back using a soft, steady voice. Skunks only spray as a defensive mechanism when they feel threatened. If you speak loudly or act panicky, they might also be startled.
- Don’t try to chase the skunks away because the closer you are, the more frightened they become. They can spray as far as 10 feet, and the wind might carry the odor further.
- Frequently groom the dog, especially in areas with long fur. A thick, long coat can easily trap the smell.
See more: What Smells Do Dogs Hate?
Conclusion
Normal shampoo might not completely remove the skunk spray for dogs. You need to prepare a DIY odor removal to eliminate all the stink. Act quickly before your furball infuses it into every nook and cranny of your house. Keep an eye on your pups when they are out at dawn or dusk when skunks are most active.