How to Clean Your Dog After Being Sprayed by a Skunk
Dogs seem to get into trouble with skunks all too easily, and once a dog is sprayed, the smell can permeate a household and is incredibly difficult to get out. Taking fast action can make the cleaning process easier and faster. If possible, keep the dog from getting into the house or a car after being sprayed. If the dog is treated while the spray is still wet on its coat, an easier and more thorough removal of the skunk smell is possible.
Things You'll Need
- Dog
- Bucket
- Gloves
- Old clothes
- Paper towels or old towels
- 1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent
- Water
- Dog shampoo
Instructions
-
-
1
Examine your dog's eyes, ears, nose and mouth. If it has been sprayed directly in the face, rinse its face with cool water. If its eyes look red or it rubs at its face, call the veterinarian immediately, because skunk spray can irritate a dog's eyes and nose, and it can also cause irritation to its throat if the dog inhales the spray.
-
2
Keep your dog outside if possible, because the spray can spread to anything the dog comes in contact with, such as furniture or carpeting.
-
-
3
Change into old clothes and put on disposable gloves or dishwashing gloves. Make sure that the clothes you wear are not ones you will need in the future, because you might have to throw them out if the smell transfers to you during the cleaning process.
-
4
Wipe down the affected area of your dog with paper towels or old towels that can be thrown away. If your dog has been sprayed only in one area, try to blot up the spray as much as possible to keep it from spreading. Do not wipe down the unaffected portions of your dog.
-
5
Mix one quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide together with ¼ cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent in a bucket. Combine these thoroughly.
-
6
Apply the mixture to the affected portions of your dog's coat and thoroughly work it throughout the coat. Avoid the dog's eyes, nose, mouth and the inside of its ears.
-
7
Leave the mixture in place for 10 minutes.
-
8
Rinse the dog thoroughly with water, again being careful to avoid its eyes, nose, ears and mouth.
-
9
Wash the dog's entire body with a dog shampoo and rinse.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If your dog shows signs of discomfort or irritation, call the vet. The skunk's spray can irritate some dogs, especially if sprayed around their heads. A vet can prescribe medications to alleviate the dog's discomfort.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
