Dealing with skunk spray is one of the most stressful experiences a dog owner can have. You may have been going for a walk or letting the dog out to play, when suddenly, your dog was sprayed by a skunk. This can be very unsettling for the dog, and the smell is unbearable. If your dog was sprayed near the face, visit a veterinarian immediately. You will then need to take care of the smell. Call Skunk Control if there is a skunk on your property and we will remove it safely.
Skunk smell that is left untreated can last for up to 3 weeks. The trouble with skunk spray is that it is oily. It clings to skin, fur, clothing, and fabrics, making the smell last for a long time. Moreover, skunk spray contains thioacetates, chemical compounds that decompose very slowly. Our noses are very sensitive to these chemicals. We can smell skunk spray for a very long time because it only takes a few parts per million for us to pick up on the odour. Skunks have evolved to produce a spray that lingers as a means to ward off predators. Even bears know to avoid them.
How to Get Rid of Skunk Smell
Your first instinct may be to give your dog a bath – but wait! Regular soaps will prolong the smell by setting the skunk oil into your dog’s fur. Keep the dog outside and get some de-skunking soap from a pet shop or your veterinarian. Then, follow the instructions on the product and wash the dog outside for easy cleanup. Wear a pair of gloves and massage the product into your pet’s fur, being careful not to put the product in its eyes. Then, use a hose to rinse. Finish off by drying your dog thoroughly and repeat as needed. Let the dog dry outside to keep odours out of the home.
If your skunk was sprayed, your home probably smells bad, too. Ventilate the home as much as possible by opening windows and turning on fans. Then, wash your clothes and any fabric your dog touched. Use regular laundry detergent and add half a cup of baking soda to the load. Wash with hot water and air dry your clothes, preferably in the sunshine. Avoid putting anything in the dryer as it may bake the smell into your fabrics. When you shower, use dish detergent on your skin and a shampoo formulated for oily hair.
Call Skunk Control for Humane Removal
If your dog was sprayed in the yard, there may be a skunk living on your property. Allowing the skunk to stay there might let this happen again. Call us for an inspection and we will remove the skunk humanely. Our technicians have the training and the equipment to approach the animal’s den without harm. We will find where the skunk is hiding and remove is safely with a one-way door. To help ensure that the animal will not come back, we offer exclusion services in which we block off every potential hiding spot, like decks and sheds. Call us today for comprehensive skunk removal.