I came across this article today and thought the info here would be valuable to our readers. I had no idea that flour would work to take the skunk smell out of dog fur much better than tomato juice.
What to do if your dog gets sprayed by a skunk
July 28, 1:49 AM
Written by Alyson Burgess, Memphis Dogs Examiner
If you’ve ever owned a dog who has been sprayed by a skunk, then you know full well how hard it can be to get that smell out of a pup’s coat. Here in Memphis, we have our fair share of the little black and white stinkers, so if you own a dog it makes sense to come up with a plan of action in case your pet comes home smelling less than fresh.
Contrary to popular claims, there is no one product or process that will completely eliminate the smell of skunk spray from your dog’s coat. Since the odorous secretions that a skunk sprays are oil based, it is difficult if not impossible to avoid leaving bits of residue on the coat even after vigorous bathing. Keeping a few simple tips in mind, however, should allow you to remove the majority of the skunk scent from your dog, and significantly shorten the amount of time you’ll have to wait for your pet’s musky “cologne” to dissipate.
The most common mistake that dog owners make when they discover that their dogs have been skunked is to bathe them immediately. Do yourself a favor and hold off on the water, tomato juice, or any other fluid. The liquid will only activate the scent and spread it around, as it will not be able to penetrate the spray’s oily base. Instead, use the following technique to achieve the best results:
Go fetch the flour. The first thing to do when you find that your dog has been sprayed is to pat some all purpose flour or cornstarch into your dog’s coat. Work the flour down into the coat to the base of the fur and make sure that the entire coat is covered. Allow the dog to sit in the flour for approximately 30 minutes. The powder will work to absorb the majority of the oily skunk spray.
Brush the dog thoroughly. Use a slicker brush to brush the flour out of your dog’s coat. After removing the largest clumps of flour, cover the dog in flour again, let sit, and brush out. This will make sure that you have absorbed as much of the oily residue as possible before bathing.
Use a specially formulated “de-skunking” shampoo for dogs. A skunk’s spray can irritate a dog’s skin, and this is only made worse by the scrubbing that usually accompanies it. To reduce the risk of causing skin issues while effectively managing skunk odor, bathe your pet in a shampoo that is specifically formulated for de-skunking dogs. Scrub the coat thoroughly and let the dog sit in the lather for 5 – 10 minutes. Take care not to get the shampoo in your dog’s eyes or mouth, and make sure to rinse all shampoo completely from your dog’s coat and skin.
Wait it out. Many owners often claim that a skunk-sprayed dog smells worse after a bath than he did before it. There is some truth to this sentiment. Water activates the odor molecules in skunk spray, causing them to release their scent. For this reason, your dog may well be able to clear a room until he’s completely dry after his bath. Even after his coat has been washed, dried, and brushed thoroughly, it is likely that a slight skunk scent will linger for days or even weeks, until it dissipates with time.
Avoid additional bathing if possible. Bathing dries and irritates a dog’s skin, and as mentioned above does little to completely remove skunk odor. After the initial bath, avoid bathing your dog again unless it becomes completely necessary. If the odor is too much for you to deal with, pat the dog down with flour and brush him out a couple of times instead of going for a full blown bath. Excess flour can be removed from the topcoat with a hypoallergenic baby wipe or disposable pet bath wipe.
Try some pooch perfume. Most pet supply stores sell perfumes and deodorant sprays that are safe to use on dogs. If you find that the odor is causing you to distance yourself from your dog, a canine perfume spray may be your ticket to refreshing your relationship with your pet.
It’s easy to panic a bit when you see that your pet has been sprayed by a skunk. If you can keep these tips in mind, however, you’ll see that there are far more effective ways to de-skunk your dog than by dousing him with tomato juice or immediately showering him with a hose. While this technique can be tedious, it is the most effective and is used by professional groomers around the country. Here’s hoping that you never have to use this information for your pet, but if Fido ever does come home smelling like the business end of Pepe Le Pew, you’ll be able to effectively nip the offensive odor in the bud.
And of course, keep your Pet Fresh-N pouches close to the dog’s bed to absord any lingering odor.
