It’s Skunk Mating Season in the Tri-State; Here’s What to Do if Your Dog Gets Sprayed By One

Humans aren't the only ones celebrating this season of love.  You'll notice whiffs of a very familiar and very yucky smell as you drive around the Tri-State in the next few months. That's because it is skunk mating season.

This means there are a lot more black-and-white critters out and about to accidentally get hit by cars or wander into your backyard. Lord help us (and the skunk) if one ever finds its way to our house.  Our sweet Golden Retriever, Freddie, will make every attempt to "make friends" with it, and that won't end up good for anyone involved!

Why Do Skunks Spray?

Here's a funny video about why "Nature's Little Stinkbombs" spray their acidic odor onto perceived predators. They're just scared, OK!

Does Tomato Juice Actually Work to Remove Skunk Smell?

If you have ever had a curious pup get too close to a skunk, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm not trying to bring up past traumatic experiences, but I want to share some tips if it ever happens again or if you find yourself dealing with Eu De Pepe Le Pew for the first time.

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First things first, we need to debunk the claim that the best "De-Stinkifier" is tomato juice.  If you watched that video, you learned that the only thing a can of tomato juice is good for is preparing a Bloody Mary to drown your smelly sorrows in. It DOES NOT work to get the skunk spray to disappear.

Miracle DIY Skunk Spray Remover

Once you stop gagging from the stench, you'll be happy to know that the best skunk soap is a mixture you can make yourself at home. A chemist named Paul Krebaum is credited for coming up with this simple concoction of:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (1 quart make sure it's a fresh bottle)
• Baking Soda (1/4 cup)
• Liquid Soap (2 teaspoons)

It's important to keep in mind when mixing cleaning products or chemicals to do so in a ventilated area.  This spray cannot be stored because the ingredients will create an explosive reaction if bottled up. Another good tip is to NOT spray your dog down with water. It will actually make the smell even worse! Let the wash set for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. You can reapply this wash as needed or use a normal dog shampoo after.

I sure hope you never have to use it!