Spring is right around the corner, and wild animals will be out and about enjoying the nice weather just like the rest of us. Your pets may encounter them on occasion, and if one of those wild animals is a skunk, a curious dog or cat may become the unfortunate victim of that awful smelling liquid that a skunk sprays from its anus. Skunks spray in order to avoid a potentially more harmful confrontation with a predator or inquisitive pet. The spray consists partly of sulfur and hydrogen, which is why it stinks so much! While the odor is pungently off-putting, unless your pet is sprayed directly in the eyes – which can cause temporary blindness from the irritation – there is usually no need to take the animal to the veterinarian for treatment. (If your pet’s eyes are red or watery, gently rinse them out with some cool water or an eye rinse.) However, skunk oil and its smell can reportedly linger for up to a year if not entirely removed from your pet’s skin and coat, so it is important to act quickly to remove the offensive spray.
Here’s a de-skunking treatment you can make at home to get the odor off of your pet:
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide (usually available at any drugstore or grocery store)
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of liquid soap (any mild dish-washing detergent such as Dove or Ivory)
Bathe the cat or dog in the above mixture, then follow with a lukewarm tap water rinse. As always, be careful not to get any of the mixture in your pet’s eyes, ears or nose.
If you have any problems or questions, please give us a call at 402-291-1255!