Cleaning a Dog That Was Sprayed by a Skunk | Dog Training Elite

Cleaning a Dog That Was Sprayed by a Skunk

Assemble Supplies

The first thing to do when a skunk sprays a dog is to act quickly. You will need one quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 tsp. of dish detergent. Tomato juice, contrary to common belief, does not work well. It causes a mess that is not necessary. Beer does not work well, either. The best solution is to use the above ingredients or a commercial product. Before shampooing the dog, clean the face and eyes with warm water and a washcloth. The mixture may irritate the eyes, so keep it away from the face. If the weather is warm, shampoo the dog outside. Secure the area, so the dog cannot escape. Otherwise, use the bathtub. Put on some rubber gloves and protect your eyes.

The Process

Mix the ingredients in a bowl or bucket and expect a volcanic-type reaction. This is a bubbling reaction, due to the peroxide and baking soda oxidizing. Plan on using all of the mixture because you can not store it. It will explode in a closed container. Lather the dog with the mixture using warm water. Keep the mixture away from the face. Let the mixture stay on the fur for at least five minutes, but no longer than 10 minutes. Speak to the dog calmly and continue lathering to keep the dog comfortable. Before rinsing, place a washcloth over the dogs eyes. Rinse with warm water making sure to remove all the suds. Smell the dog. If there is still a hint of skunk smell, mix up more solution and wash again.

Considerations

After shampooing the dog, consider using a regular dog shampoo with conditioner. Towel the dog off before allowing it back into the house or in the other rooms of the house. Dogs will shake their fur to remove water. Check to make sure the skunk spray did not get in the dogs eyes, ears or throat. You may want to take the dog to the vet if it has any irritation. The skunk spray could have reached the back of the throat. Skunks tend to aim for the face. Also check for cuts or bites. Skunks can be rabid. Pet supply stores carry commercial de-skunking products, if you choose not to use the homemade solution. Otherwise, plan on keeping hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish detergent available in case your dog has another encounter.

Cleaning a Dog That Was Sprayed by a Skunk