What do I do if my Dog is Sprayed by a Skunk?

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When Skunks Mate they are More Smelly

We are more aware of skunks in spring and summer, but they're quite active February through March, a lesson my dog, Dida, and I learned the hard way.

Though skunks sleep deeply for 3.5 months at a time, they are not true hibernators. Male skunks will leave their dens during warm spells seeking females for mates. Their mating season is typically February through March, but it really depends on winter conditions.

Nocturnal by nature, males will travel up to five miles under the protection of dark. Skunks use their odor as defense, and are extra smelly during the mating season as male skunks will spray each other, plus disapproving females also spray males away.

With no natural predators, skunks go about their business care-free as most wildlife is keenly aware of what that odor means.

Dogs Don't Run Away from Skunks... They Get Sprayed

Dogs, on the other hand, ignore this warning and experience the consequences first hand, often times with a much more direct spray, usually to the face, neck or chest area which leaves the dog usually rolling around in the grass, while the skunk wanders merrily away.

Skunk spray is difficult to remove- I can attest to that. "Fortunately" for me, we were 200 miles away from home.

Traveling in her crate in February was out of the question, so she got to keep me company in the cab of my pickup -that too was difficult to remove...

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Though you get accustomed to the smell, I assure you it will linger around for a long, long time. I tried every known product, home remedy, and myth available for months, but in the end, it was time that finally rid us of that smell.

It's not just skunks you need to watch out for--it's also these little guys, too.

Luckily, I learned a lot through my mistakes and received lots of advice about the complexity of skunk oil from my groomer. The number one lesson I learned is this: February is the start of skunk mating season. Keep your dog on a leash if you are going out at night, or better yet, change your routine to daylight hours.

What to do When Your Dog Gets Sprayed by a Skunk

If your dog does get sprayed, here are some tips before you bathe your little stinker that will speed up the process.

  1. Skunk spray is actually an oil--easy to spread and hard to remove. Before handling your dog, put on some old clothes and do not let your dog lay in their bedding. Cover up vehicle seats in old blankets if transporting.
  2. Leave your dog outside to prevent oils from entering your house when possible.
  3. Determine where your dog was sprayed. Most sprays will happen on the front end around the face, neck, and chest area. Use paper towels to soak up some of the oils from the affected area. You may be able to trim or comb some of sprayed hair, depending on hair type.
  4. Treat the affected area with a bio-enzymatic formula such as Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover. Be sure to use the product at full strength covering the entire area and undercoat. Follow the label instructions for around the face. Let the product completely dry before bathing.
  5. When you are ready to bathe, use a pet shampoo to wash the affected area only. Leave your drain open and use a shower hose if possible to keep the oils from spreading. You will need to give your dog a second... or third bath.

Here are some grooming & shampoo supplies for cleaning your dog after a skunk spray.

Dogs are curious by nature and that can sometimes get them in trouble. Get out and enjoy your time together... but be aware.

Avoid skunk encounters by understanding their behavior and knowing what you can do to help in case of a spray, and maybe you, too, can have ol' Pepe Le Pew saying, "I missed! Lucky for you."