Skunks are sniffed out more often than they are spotted in our communities. When we are driving down the highway, or sitting on our back porch, we may smell that distinct earthy odor released by local skunks. Once we smell it, we know exactly what it is right away. The sour putrid smell of skunk is one of the most recognizable odors in the outdoors. One common curios skunk victim is your pet dog. Dogs are commonly sprayed by skunks because their curiosity provokes the skunk and they get sprayed wherever they are sniffing. This means dogs are mostly sprayed in the face. If you detect skunk odor on your dog, follow these simple steps to aid the dog, remove the smell, and prevent similar accidents from happening again.
Check Your Dog’s Face
As mentioned before, dogs are usually hit right in the face because this is the area of the skunk they were sniffing out to begin with. Because of this common occurrence, as soon as you smell skunk on your dog, check his face immediately. The chemicals in the skunk spray can irritate a dog’s nose, ears, throat, mouth, and eyes. Check out all these areas, and rinse them with water if they were indeed sprayed. Once they are rinsed, if the eyes are still red, or if the dog still acts agitated, see your vet right away.
No Water
Most people want to start rinsing the fur right away to rid the smell. DO NOT pour water on the dog’s coat. Water will soften and open the pores on its skin allowing the skunk smell to seep in and burn. This can cause future skin irritations and more.
Cleaning Solutions
To clean the dog and get rid of the skunk odor, mix together a solution made up of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. For smaller dogs, use three quarters of a bottle of peroxide mixed with 3-5 tablespoons of baking soda. For medium dogs use twice the amount, and for larger dogs, triple it. Once the solution is mixed, gently scrub the solution all over your dog. Rinse before the solutions sits for more than five minutes on your dog. Repeat this step as many times as you need to remove the smell. It is recommended to do this step outside to prevent stinking up your home. Also, wear dish washing gloves to protect your hands. If the stink is persistent, you may need to contact your vet for prescription shampoos and ointments to discard the odor.
Preventing Skunk Spraying Accidents
If you have had multiple skunk spray situations, or smell a skunk more than a few times a month, you will need professional skunk removal services. Skunk control in Indiana is safe and humane. Trappers safely capture and release these critters and relocate them to a safer and more remote area where they will not be bothered.
For more information on skunk removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana, call 317-257-2290 today. We are a licensed and insured wildlife removal company in Indianapolis that have been in the business for over ten years. Trust us to handle your skunk problems this season!