What is what to do when your dog gets sprayed by a skunk at night?

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What to Do When Your Dog Gets Skunked at Night

Discovering your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, especially at night, can be a stressful experience. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you handle the situation:

1. Keep Your Dog Outside: The first and most important thing is to prevent your dog from coming inside your house. Skunk spray is oily and can transfer easily to furniture, carpets, and clothing, making the smell much harder to eliminate. Keep them outside, in a well-ventilated area like a garage or patio, until you've treated them.

2. Assess the Situation: Check your dog for any injuries from the encounter. Skunks are generally not aggressive, but scratches or bites might need veterinary attention. If you suspect an injury, especially around the eyes, consult with your veterinarian immediately.

3. Protect Yourself: Wear old clothes, gloves (rubber or disposable), and eye protection. Skunk spray can irritate your skin and eyes.

4. The Skunk Odor Remover: The most effective homemade solution to neutralize skunk spray is the following recipe (adjust quantities based on dog size):

   • 1 quart (4 cups) of 3% hydrogen peroxide
   • 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
   • 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap (like Dawn).

   Important: Use this mixture immediately and do not store it in a closed container, as it can create pressure and potentially explode. Never use it around the eyes.

   There are also commercial Skunk%20Odor%20Removers available at pet stores if you prefer.

5. Application:

   • Wet your dog thoroughly with water.
   • Apply the mixture liberally, avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth. Work it deep into the fur, especially in areas that were heavily sprayed.
   • Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes.

6. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your dog very, very thoroughly with lukewarm water. Repeat the application and rinsing process if the odor persists.

7. Shampoo and Rinse: Follow up with a regular dog shampoo and another thorough rinse to remove any remaining residue.

8. Dry Your Dog: Use old towels to dry your dog. Be prepared for the smell to linger slightly, even after treatment. You may want to dry them outside or in the garage to avoid spreading any remaining odor inside.

9. Clean Contaminated Items: Wash any clothes, towels, or surfaces that came into contact with the skunk spray with a strong detergent. You might consider using a laundry additive designed to remove odors.

10. Monitor for Eye Irritation: Even after cleaning, monitor your dog's eyes for redness, irritation, or excessive tearing. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.

11. Veterinary%20Consultation: If the odor is extremely strong or your dog shows any signs of distress, contact your veterinarian. They may have stronger cleaning solutions or be able to address any potential health concerns.

12. Preventative%20Measures: After the incident, consider taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of future skunk encounters, such as keeping your dog on a leash at night, securing trash cans, and clearing brush from your yard.