- This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
Skunks may have adorable little faces and striking, striped coats, but if your dog gets sprayed by one, it’s no longer so cute. Without treatment, a skunk’s highly offensive odor can stay on your dog for weeks—sometimes longer.
Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a veterinary consultant at We Love Doodles, explains that skunks’ primary defense mechanism is their potent spray that deters potential threats. “If a skunk has sprayed your dog, the immediate concern is usually the strong odor,” she says. “However, it’s essential to check for bite marks or scratches, especially if a physical altercation occurs.”
If a skunk sprays your dog, it’s important to tend to them right away. Read on to get more tips on how to care for your dog after a skunk spray.
What To Do If Your Dog Gets Sprayed By A Skunk
Because a skunk’s musky scent has such great lasting power, it’s best to bathe your dog outside so that the smell doesn’t make its way into your home. The sooner you wash the spray off, the better. (If you think the spray smells bad, just imagine how it affects your dog, who has a much stronger sense of smell.)
Use eye wash for dogs to flush your dog’s eyes. Apply liberally, starting at the inner corner of the eye. Tilt your dog’s head and allow the excess to run off. You can also apply a dog-friendly eye lubricant that is used for eye gunk.
If you find any bites or scratch marks, Dr. Kong recommends taking your dog to the vet to make sure there’s no risk of infection or other complications. Skunks may carry rabies, so you’ll want to make sure your dog’s vaccines are up to date.
Signs your dog was sprayed by a skunk
A skunk’s spray can travel up to 15 feet, so even if you didn’t see it happen — the stink may be enough to let you know it has. You may notice your dog rubbing their face, vomiting, drooling, or sneezing after a spray.
If your dog was close enough to get a direct blast, you may also see:
- Swelling of the face or eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Squinting
- Temporary blindness
Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Skunk Smells
You can make a DIY de-skunking cleaner at home with the following ingredients:
- 1 quart of 3% household or medical-grade hydrogen peroxide. Avoid the much stronger 30% “industrial strength” hydrogen peroxide.
- ¼ cup of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap
Mix the ingredients in a bucket. Combining them in a smaller bottle may lead to a chemical reaction that causes pressure to build and results in an explosion. Also, make sure to wear rubber gloves and old clothes, since you’ll be coming into contact with the pungent scent.
Then, follow these steps:
- Using a sponge or towel, apply the mixture to the areas of your dog’s coat where they were sprayed.
- Let the solution sit on your dog’s fur for about 10 minutes.
- Wash them with fresh water.
- Repeat this process once or twice until the odor goes away.
- Bathe your dog with a pet shampoo or conditioner.
- Fully rinse and dry your dog.
When cleaning your dog, make sure to keep the solution away from their eyes (and mouth) since it may cause further irritation. Use a small washcloth to gently clean these sensitive areas.
Due to the nature of the ingredients, throw away any remaining solution after you finish washing your dog.
Using Vinegar and Baking Soda to Remove Skunk Smells
You can also use vinegar and baking soda paste as safer ingredients. Unlike hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar won’t bleach your dog’s fur.
If your pup got sprayed on their face, you can use a gentler baking soda paste. Simply mix one part baking soda and three parts water. Then, carefully apply with a cloth where needed.
You may have come across mentions of tomato juice as an effective cleanser after a skunk spray, but this doesn’t work as well as other options. It only masks the odor instead of neutralizing it.
Vet-Recommended Skunk Scent Removers
Dr. Kong and Dr. Michael Thompson, DVM, founder and leading veterinarian of Pets Food Safety, recommend the following pet-friendly skunk spray solutions:
- De-Skunk
- Skunk-Off
- Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover
If you live in an area with skunks nearby, you may want to keep one of these sprays on hand.
Observe Your Dog for a Few Days After
Even after you’ve carefully cleaned your dog, you’ll want to monitor your dog for any signs of health concerns for about 1-3 days following their run-in with the skunk.
The oils found in skunk spray can also irritate a dog’s skin, causing irritation and dermatitis.
In very rare instances, dogs can develop Heinz body anemia after a close skunk encounter. Thiols and thioacetates, the stinky, sulfurous chemical compounds in skunk spray, can cause this reaction.
“Heinz body anemia involves the destruction of red blood cells and can be caused by specific toxins, including those found in skunk spray,” Dr. Kong says.
Heinz body anemia symptoms
- Pale gums
- Rapid breathing
- Lethargy
- Black feces
- Brown urine
- Increased heart rate
If your dog shows any signs of Heinz body anemia, it’s essential to get them to a vet right away, Dr. Kong says.
Treatment typically involves supportive care. Your dog’s recovery period can depend on the severity of the condition. In severe cases, they may need a blood transfusion or supplemental oxygen.
Tips To Keep Your Dog From Getting Sprayed
No one, especially your dog, enjoys the smell of a skunk’s musk. But some preparation can save your best pal from getting sprayed—and you from having to worry about the process of cleaning them up!
Dr. Kong and Dr. Thompson share some tips to help protect your dog from skunk sprays:
- Consider installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers. Sudden light and water may scare skunks away.
- Secure trash cans and remove potential food sources to make your yard less appealing to skunks.
- Train your dog to avoid skunks with basic recall commands and consistent behavioral conditioning techniques.
Skunks tend to seek shelter in places like under decks and porches, in garages, and in dens other animals may have built in your yard. Putting up gates or blockades to prevent your dog from digging underneath may help.
Thankfully skunks are primarily active at night, which is when you really only need to worry about them. And of course, there is a chance your dog’s stink may not be skunk.
