What To Do If Your Dog Or Cat Gets Sprayed By A Skunk

Here at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, we’ve all been there: you’re out walking the dog, when you hear a rustling in the bushes. Your dog runs toward the sound, and before you can even begin to start calling your pup back, your eyes start to water as the smell hits you. You’ve been sprayed by a skunk.

If your pet gets skunked, the first thing you want to do is make sure that they are physically fine. If there is a scratch or puncture it is always best to see your vet. We can help your pet to avoid infection, and make sure you are up to date on your rabies vaccination. Additionally, you will want to check your pet’s eyes and nose well. If they get blasted there it’s very uncomfortable for them. You will need to be clean the area thoroughly.

The Best Skunk Remedy

There are many ways to get the smell out of your pet’s fur. The recipe we recommend here at Fisher Glen is the following:

• 1 quart (or litre) of hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of Dawn (works best) liquid dish soap.

Use an open bucket and mix all the ingredients together. Rub the mixture well into the fur. Always shield your pet’s eyes to prevent the mixture from getting in and irritating them further. Leave it on 5-10 minutes, then rinse well. You may have to repeat this procedure if the skunk hit your pet particularly badly. If the skunk hit your pet directly in the eyes, or if the eyes remain watery and red after cleaning, please call your veterinarian.

If you want more tips on what to do if your cat or dog gets sprayed by a skunk, check out PetMD.com.