The New York and New Jersey wildlife area is no stranger to skunks, especially for dog owners whose dogs have had a smelly encounter with them. A skunk can shoot from 10 feet away at anything deemed a threat, including a curious dog. While not fatal, a skunk spray can leave a dog agitated with red eyes, nausea, and a scratching face. Nevertheless, there is a solution to help your dog rid of the smell, and luckily for readers, it does not require tomato juice.
Check your Dog’s Eyes for Skunk Spray First
A big side effect of skunk spray is redness and irritation of the eyes. Make sure to check your dog’s eyes to see if you spot any redness. If you see redness, make sure to flush them out with cool water or veterinary eye products as soon as you can.
Keep Your Dog Outside and Prepare a De-Skunking Shampoo
In order to prevent the smell from spreading in your house, keep your dog outside once the skunk is gone. While inside, prepare a “De-Skunking” shampoo. For those in areas with skunks, there are some de-skunking products that dog owners would buy. If you do not have any, you can make some with household products. Mix together 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap. If none of these are available you can use vinegar diluted with water, which also helps clean the dog and remove the smell.
Bathe Your Dog to Remove the Skunk Spray
While wearing rubber gloves, rub the De-skunking shampoo into your dog’s fur thoroughly with a washcloth. Make sure to also wash your dog’s face and mouth. But be careful not to get the solution into your dog’s eyes. Following this, rinse your dog from the solution, as the peroxide can bleach your dog’s fur. Afterward, use regular dog shampoo to clean and rinse your dog like a usual bath.
Wash your Clothes After Drying Your Dog
After cleaning your dog, be sure to bathe yourself, too. The skunk smell and residue can rub on your own clothes. After drying your dog, make sure to wash your clothes in the regular laundry, either using skunk odor removers you can find in stores or adding ½ cup of baking soda.