Skunked: Prevention and treatment guide for pet owners

One whiff gives you the news no pet owner wants: Your pet has been skunked! Before you run out for treatment options that don’t work well, read on to find out what does – and better yet, how to prevent skunk funk in the first place.

Skunk love blooms in the spring

This is the time of year when skunks start breeding and soon, little skunks – called “kits” – are exploring their world. All this can mean animals roaming or building dens where they haven’t been before and reacting quickly when confronted by a dog. (Cats get skunked, too, but not very often – they’re usually happy to leave skunks alone.)

When out and about with your dog, keep the leash on in wildlife areas to prevent interactions, not only for the smell but also because skunks can carry rabies. Keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination current is both the law and just good common sense.

To prevent a skunk family from calling your place their own, check out anywhere they might enjoy hiding. Crawl spaces, areas under garden sheds, porches and other protected areas can attract skunks. Cover entrances to crawl spaces and block off any other potential dens.

Food sources such as cat food and kitchen scraps also attract these visitors, so keep things clean and remove anything edible. Pick up fallen fruit and harvest vegetables as soon as they’re ready and bring pet food inside. Keep outside trash cans securely lidded; this helps keep raccoons away, too. When adding food scraps to a compost pile, bury them deep to avoid tempting uninvited guests.

Skunks are typically active at night, and that’s when a lot of pets tangle with them. If you allow your pet free access to your yard such as through a pet door, close it at bedtime.

If you suspect a skunk or two already in residence, don’t handle them on your own. Call a professional to trap and remove them.

What to do if your pet gets skunked

If you live in an area where you know skunks are common, it’s best to keep deskunking supplies on hand. The old advice on bathing with tomato juice is no longer considered the most effective, so give the pink dog option a pass.

Instead, keep on hand a quart of drugstore hydrogen peroxide (3%), a large box of baking soda and liquid dish soap. Replace the hydrogen peroxide every few months, because of its tendency to lose its punch. The magic of this solution doesn’t come into play until it’s freshly mixed, so store the ingredients separately in a cool, dry place. If you have a large dog, you’ll need more supplies, so plan accordingly. Designating worn bath towels as “dog towels” and having them ready is also recommended – if need be, you can always throw them out after use.

Once you realize your pet has been skunked, get them away from the animal and secure them in a breezeway room or a crate in the garage – not in your house if you can avoid it! If you think your pet has been bitten or has other injuries, call your pet’s veterinary healthcare team and ask for guidance. Potential rabies exposure and wounds can be very serious and need to be addressed without delay.

In a bucket, combine a quart of hydrogen peroxide, a quarter-cup of baking soda and a squirt of dish soap, multiplying the recipe for larger pets. Immediately apply to your pet, avoiding the eyes and ears. The active solution bonds with the molecules of the skunk spray and neutralizes the odor. Saturate your pet’s coat, especially areas that took a direct hit. Let the mixture soak for a few minutes, then rinse with clean water.

You may have to repeat the cycle more than once until your pet isn’t as smelly. Once you’re done, leave your pet in a warm, safe place and check for smell when they’re dry. If there’s just a little bit of skunk funk left, give them a regular bath with your favorite scented pet shampoo.

Because skunk spray sticks to everything, you’ll want to throw your clothes, towels, and your pet’s collar or harness in the washing machine, then step into the shower yourself. Everything will smell a little skunky for a few days, but the last of the odor will slowly fade away.

No one enjoys a skunking – not even the frightened skunk – so take the time to run through your prevention checklist to minimize the possibility of another smelly incident.