Imagine, it’s late at night and you have just let FIDO out for his last potty-visit before going to bed. When he comes running to the door you can smell that he found more than the grassy lawn outside. YIKES! There’s no mistaking it–he’s been sprayed by a skunk!
The order in which you do things is important! Here are some tips:
Keep the dog out of the house. If you need to confine him to his kennel, place it outdoors while you gather together your supplies:
- Rubber Gloves
- Rags
- Towel
- Odor de-neutralizer
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Tub for washing
What is the best way to get rid of skunk odor?
Skunk spray is oily and sticky, much of it will sit on top of the coat and can be wiped off.
Wearing rubber gloves, wipe as much of the spray off the dog using a rag or dry towel.
If the spray is on the face and the eyes are red and irritated, be careful to flush the eyes gently with plain water.
Consult with your veterinarian if your dog has some spray in his eyes.
!IMPORTANT!* DO NOT WET THE DOG UNTIL THE ODOR HAS BEEN DENEUTRALIZED. Wetting the dog will drive the oil into the hair shaft and the chances of getting rid of the smell at that point are slim.
At our salon, we use Iv San Bernard Products to deneutralize the smell and follow through with a shampoo and condition. These products are effective, yet gentle on your pet’s skin and fur.
PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED By Iv SAN BERNARD:
- Green Tomato Shampoo
- Green Tomato Conditioner
- Ginkgo Biloba Oil
- Pek Conditioner
- KS Anti-Odor shampoo
Here is a link to their recipe for de-funking the skunk.
I highly recommend purchasing these products in advance and keeping them on hand for situations like this. To help you be prepared for this worst-case scenario, we have put together a De-funk the Skunk Emergency Kit with all the recommended Iv San Bernard products and recipe! It is available in our Boutique for your convenience.
In the event that you don’t have a ready-made preparedness kit with supplies in your closet, the Humane Society of America has published an effective recipe using hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwashing soap. Many people have these things at home already. When using this recipe, be very careful not to leave the presoak in too long because the peroxide and baking soda are very harsh on the dogs skin.
Skunks are especially active in the spring. Being prepared ahead of time won’t help your dog feel better about his encounter, but it can go a long way to making you and your house feel and smell better!
Following an unexpected encounter with a skunk, we highly recommend following up with a visit to the groomer.
