Written By: Hailey Hudson
Did your dog try to make an unwanted friend? Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves. No pet owner wants a skunky smelling dog running through the house. But sometimes it happens — and it’s up to you to get your dog clean as quickly (and safely) as possible. Here’s what to do when your dog gets skunked.
First, Check Your Dog For Injury
There are a few things you need to do before you start cleaning your dog. First, examine your dog to make sure he or she wasn’t hurt. Skunks can be potentially harmful to you and your dog beyond just the foul odor — skunks carry diseases like rabies and the spray of a skunk can be toxic to dogs too, causing vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.
As you examine your dog’s body, make sure to carefully check his eyes for any redness or irritation. Skunk spray acts like tear gas if it gets in your dog’s eyes. If your dog was sprayed in the face, pour clean water over his eyes to wash out the oils and prevent injury or temporary blindness. Then, call your vet to ensure there’s no lasting damage. Bite marks or scratches after a skunk encounter also call for a trip to the vet.
Once you’ve thoroughly checked your dog for any injuries, it’s time to start scrubbing. Keep your dog outside if you can so the skunk oils don’t get all over your house. If they do end up in your house, Skout’s Honor Odor Eliminator will remove any residual skunk odor on furniture, carpets, bedding and more.
How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell On Your Dog
Tomato juice is a common fix for a dog who’s gotten skunked, but this isn’t actually the most effective choice. Tomato juice doesn’t remove the foul odor — it simply masks it. For best results, choose something that will completely get rid of the smell. The Skout’s Honor Got Skunked Kit is the best option for removing that nasty skunk smell from your dog. These products contain no harmful ingredients and will actually work to help counteract any itching or irritation while eliminating skunk odors and nourishing your dog’s skin and coat after the skunk odor eliminator treatment. This kit includes four products:
- Skunk Odor Eliminator (works on skunked animals and surfaces)
- Probiotic Shampoo & Conditioner 2-in-1
- Probiotic Deodorizer
Preventing Future Skunk Encounters
If your dog got skunked, that’s a situation that you’re probably desperate to avoid experiencing again. Help prevent your dog from getting skunked by keeping him on a leash while you’re taking walks or playing outside. If you have any overgrown bushes or shrubbery in your yard, it can also be helpful to keep those trimmed back — those are the types of places where skunks like to hang out.
You should also keep a lid on your outdoor trash can, close your garage door, and don’t leave bowls of dog food outside for skunks to find. It’s also important to keep your dog up to date on his rabies vaccine to protect him from the bite of an infected skunk.
Skunks are active around dawn and dusk. If you and your dog come across a skunk, back away slowly. Don’t let your dog chase the skunk. If the skunk raises its tail, stamps its feet, and hisses at you, this means it’s about to spray. You’re safe once you’re more than 10 feet away.
References:
- VCA Hospitals: Skunk Spray And Your Dog, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/skunk-spray-and-your-dog
- Orvis: Tips to Prevent Your Dog From Getting Skunked, https://www.orvis.com/tips-to-prevent-your-dog-from-getting-skunked
- New England Today: How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor, https://newengland.com/today/living/home-remedies/skunk-odor-removal/
Hailey Hudson is a full-time freelance writer and content marketer based out of Atlanta, Georgia, where her cat acts as her co-worker and supervisor. She writes about pet-based topics for clients such as PetFirst Pet Insurance, Just Labs Magazine and Pet Product News.
