How to Care for a Skunk Sprayed Dog

Dogs just can't help themselves sometimes. That brand new pair of sneakers, the leftover pizza in the trash, that freshly planted flower bed--they all seem to call out his name. This time, Fido had a run in with a skunk. What should you do?

Things You'll Need

  • The ability to move FAST!
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Act quickly. Leave the dog outside to minimize its contact with other surfaces. Determine where the skunk spray landed. Call the vet ASAP for advice. Skunk spray is potentially very dangerous, so find out if she needs you to bring the dog in. Pay special attention to the dog's eyes and gums. Ideally one person can start the dog cleaning process while another phones the vet.

    • 2

      Prepare for battle. If the dog is in no danger, great, you only need to worry about the smell! The longer you wait, the greater the chance that the smell will last and last, so again, act quickly. Change into some old clothes before rejoining the dog outside. If the skunk sprayed only a small area of the dog's fur, you can cut it out with scissors. If, however, the spray hit a large area, or your dog has short fur, you will need to wash the area with shampoo. The dog will, most likely, need several baths but you will first treat just the affected area to avoid spreading the oil to the rest of the dog.

    • 3

      Scrub, scrub, scrub some more. There are many products made specifically for treating skunk sprayed dogs and these are, by far, the best weapons. But, if you don't already have one on hand, now is not the time to run to the store. Put it on the list for later and look around your house for other effective options. Tomato juice, vinegar and mouthwash are common household items that can work. You can also try mixing up a solution of your own to bathe the dog in. Get a bucket or other open container and combine 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and1 teaspoon of liquid soap. Put the concoction on the dog while it is still fizzing, completely saturating the entire coat. DO NOT get this stuff near the dog's eyes, nose or mouth and be sure to rinse well. Get rid of any unused solution, its too dangerous to leave it lying around in containers. Follow up the deskunker of your choice with another, regular bath. You may need to repeat the process several times before the smell is gone.