Pets + Skunks = Bad News
Two weeks ago when my husband let our dogs out for their final potty break of the night, two of them took a direct skunk spray to the face. I grew up on a farm and smelled the aftermath of many skunks who had been hit by cars, but NEVER had I smelled the immediate spray of a skunk. If you've never smelled fresh skunk spray, you should hope and pray you never do. It's AWFUL!
Since this was our first rodeo with a skunk, we didn't know what to do. It was late at night (of course), so no pet stores were open that might have carried any skunk removing products. We tried tomato juice, which oddly enough, we had on hand. The only thing the tomato juice did was stain my curtains by my tub.
It seems there are a lot of skunks running around the area lately. So what should you do if your dog is sprayed?
If possible - do not let your dog inside your house. Bathe the dog outside if you can. Believe me.. you don't want your dog bringing in that smell which takes weeks to fully go away.
Flush your dog's eyes out with cool water and/or saline eye wash (not the kind for contact lenses).
Mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1-2 teaspoons of Dawn dishwashing liquid in an open container or bowl. (Do not store this solution in a sealed container, as it may burst). Wearing gloves, apply the solution all over your dog's coat (avoiding contact with the eyes). Let sit for 5 minutes, then wash with regular dog shampoo.
If you have it on hand, or can purchase it right away, Nature's Miracle has a great product called Skunk Off that also works to remove skunk odor from pets and household items. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
If your dog has any wounds or is bleeding, contact your vet right away.
What if the skunk smell gets into your house? Here are some things I have used to help with the indoor odors:
Vinegar is an amazing product and I swear by it in my house! I don't like harsh cleaners. I have vinyl plank floors so I mopped them with a mixture of white vinegar and water. I also wiped down hard surfaces (counters, glass top tables, etc.)
Bleach works wonders, although it's not my preferred product. However, my white tub smelled pretty darn awful after having two skunked dogs in it. I filled my tub with water and a bit of bleach and let it sit for a couple of hours. The smell was gone.
Baking Soda - buy a couple boxes of baking soda for closets and cabinets. The smell somehow snuck its way into our cabinets. Baking soda will help absorb those odors. You can also sprinkle it on your carpets, let it sit for 10 minutes, and vacuum.
Fabric sprays - these were helpful in removing odors from my curtains.
Candles/incense/plug-ins/wax warmers/essential oils - I don't like to have a lot of strong smells in my home since animals' noses are so sensitive, but in this situation I did use some of these products, in moderation, to help mask the smell.
Time and fresh air - If weather permits, open up those windows, put fans in them to pull the stinky air out.
