Hold your nose – it’s skunk season!

Hold your nose – it’s skunk season!

Dog + skunk = tomato juice, right?

Hmm, according to veterinarian experts, maybe not.

Spring has finally sprung and that means that critters everywhere are busy adding to their families.

Their increased activity at this time of year may lead to increased opportunities for you and your dog to run into them on your daily walk.

First of all, what is skunk spray? The American Kennel Club (ACK) says skunks produce the spray in their anal glands as a defense mechanism against predators, and it contains sulfurous chemicals called thiols. Since skunks can spray this liquid as far as four meters, it’s common for dogs to get a blast of skunk spray directly in their face.

And while your first instinct may be to wash your dog in the house to get the skunk smell off, don’t. Keep your dog outside while you remove skunk spray from their coat, so long as you can keep your dog safely contained and away from the skunk. The skunk oil on your dog’s coat lingers in the air until they’re clean, and keeping that smell outdoors helps keep skunk spray smell from permeating your house!

Your first defense is to try to prevent run-ins with the smelly little creatures. The VCA Canada says skunks are normally docile creatures but when startled, they may feel they have to defend themselves by shooting the spray. They say outdoor lights and noise will help scare them away, as well as keeping garbage securely contained. Any possibility of a food source is sure to attract them.

Do you need to see a vet if you have an encounter with a skunk? According the VCA Canada, skunks can carry rabies, so if a dog is bitten by a skunk, it’s crucial to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. If the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccine it should recover, but a vet can clean and inspect the wound.

The spray can also be very irritating to eyes so that’s another reason you may want to see a professional to check for any damage to the eye.

But what about the smell? The ACK says bathe your dog outdoors or in a space outside your home (like a garage or barn) if possible, which helps avoid getting skunk smell inside your house. They recommend a top-rated skunk shampoo made for dogs and there are many effective de-skunking products on the market. There’s also a simple DIY formula you can make with products commonly at hand.

And that urban legend about using tomato juice? Experts say, while it may temporarily mask the odour, it isn’t effective in eliminating the scent.

DIY Skunk Shampoo Recipe

• 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (found at any pharmacy or supermarket)
• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap

Wearing rubber gloves, work the solution into your dog’s coat, washing them thoroughly. Don’t leave the solution on their fur for too long since peroxide can bleach the fur. Then rinse completely. You might have to repeat the process more than once.

Good luck with getting your pet back to its usual sweet-smelling self – and happy spring!