What To Do When Your Dog Is Sprayed by a Skunk

Was your dog sprayed by a skunk? It's the worst! We asked the experts what really works to remove skunk smell from a dog.

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No one expects their dog to get sprayed by a skunk, and they can be got unprepared. Fortunately, there are ways that you can mitigate both the smell and the health risks to your dog that come with getting sprayed by a skunk.
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2 COMMENTS

  1. PAPER TOWELS!!!! I have had 2 dog-skunk encounters and because the spray is oily water makes it worse even when shampooing. Taking off as much of the spray BEFORE bathing is super helpful!

    I found that soaking up the oil with paper towels reduces the amount of oil you have to clean with shampoos, making the shampoos much more effective. Toilet paper and newspaper will work in a pinch, too.

    I start on the dog’s face, eyes first, blotting and soaking the yellow spray off (DO NOT RUB) with p.t. as this spreads the oil!) Then blot the neck, front legs, feet, and back.
    Be ready to use lots of paper towels as the goal is to get it all off the dog – not spread it around. Lol. I get as much as possible blotted without rubbing the oil into my dog’s skin and then use the peroxide shampoo.

    (You can tell there is little to no more oil/spray when the paper towels come back clean.)

    After bathing, my dogs still skunk-stunk when they got wet, but dry they were great!! : )