Skunk...

It’s one of those I glued a bird to my head type of days….

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What’s worse than your dog getting sprayed by a skunk?  Two dogs getting sprayed and killing the skunk, that’s what worse.  Oh and having it be at night (of course).  Wrestling two extremely smelly dogs both over 50 lbs. in a bathtub is not at the top of anyone’s to do list.  Well… not by choice that is, I can guarantee that.  So what do you do when that happens?  What are your best options?  What are some ways to deskunk your dog? 

I’m sure you’ve heard tomato juice or ketchup to get the smell out.  But who seriously has enough tomato juice or ketchup in their house to bathe medium to large size dog.  I’m Italian and even I don’t have that much tomato products in my house. 

The Humane Society recommends 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide plus ¼ cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap.  Do not make this mixture ahead of time and do not leave this mixture in a bottle as it can explode.  Rub the mixture throughout the fur but be careful not to leave it on too long because hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent so it can bleach the fur.  Next wash your dog with pet shampoo and rinse thoroughly. 

Wiki How’s website had a couple different options.  Their first option was the same as what the Humane Society had posted on their website.  Their next method was to pour mouthwash over wherever the smell is the strongest.  Followed by rubbing it in and scrub a dud dud for roughly 15 minutes.  Next they advise to shampoo your dog all over and to rinse.

Hazel Christiansen, a longtime professional groomer and the former president of the American Grooming Shop Association in Idaho recommends dousing a skunked dog with a cup of vanilla extract mixed with a gallon of water.  Let the dog soak for 10 minutes and then apply shampoo and rinse.

Another long time recommendation has been to use vinegar.  Mix 2 parts water with 1 part apple cider vinegar.  Wet your dog’s coat with water and then work the vinegar solution thorough the fur, let it sit for 5 minutes.  Rinse and follow with a regular bath. 

Purdue Veterinary School has a couple of recommendations.  The first is to wash your dog with pet shampoo.  After the dog has been suds up in shampoo to douse them in tomato juice, making sure to saturate the coat and let it soak in for 10 to 20 minutes.  Then rinse off the juice and wash again with regular shampoo.  They recommend following these steps over and over until the smell is gone.  Their next option is to contact your local veterinarian or groomer.  Your veterinarian or groomer may have a product called “Skunk Off”.  Here at Preferred Pet Care Inc. we carry “Skunk Off” and have had the pleasure (If only there was sarcasm font) of using it.  Another recommendation is Massengill where you would saturate your pet with one gallon of water (for small dogs- increase the amount for larger dogs).  Pour the mixture over the dog until they’re thoroughly soaked and wait 15 minutes and then rinse.  Then follow with a regular bath for your dog.  Their last recommendation was the same as the Humane Society’s concoction. 

So what’s the best solution?  Well obviously the best solution is don’t get skunked.  But when your dog decides they want to make a new friend with a smelly animal keep these tricks in mind.  There are no magical de-skunking tricks.  Skunks have a strong oily odor, which unfortunately can linger for quite some time.  It’s not surprising if a dog gets sprayed by a skunk for the smell to reappear when the dog gets wet.  What we have found to work is the hydrogen peroxide concoction followed by following up with your local groomer or veterinary to use the “Skunk Off” shampoo and/or a degreasing shampoo.  Hopefully you’ll never have to use any of these remedies, but if you come across this issue you’ll be prepared.