What to Do If a Skunk Sprays Your Pet: A Practical Guide for Homeowners

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Anyone who has ever smelled skunk spray knows just how powerful it is — but when it lands on a pet, the odor becomes something else entirely.
A skunked dog (or occasionally a curious cat) can fill an entire home with that burning, sulfur-like smell in seconds.

The good news?
With the right steps, you can safely remove the odor, protect your pet’s eyes and skin, and prevent the smell from spreading.

Here’s a complete, easy-to-follow guide for what to do if a skunk sprays your furry friend.

1. Stay Calm — Skunk Spray Isn’t Toxic, But It Is Irritating

Skunk spray isn’t poisonous, but it can cause real discomfort.

Common symptoms your pet might show:

  • Red eyes

  • Excessive drooling

  • Pawing at the face

  • Sneezing

  • Temporary nausea

  • Skin irritation

The odor itself is made of sulfur compounds called thiols — extremely potent and designed to repel predators.

Your pet will be upset, frightened, and uncomfortable, so your calm presence helps a lot.

2. Keep Your Pet Outside

This is important.

If your pet comes inside right after being sprayed, the smell will:

  • cling to carpets and furniture

  • spread through the HVAC system

  • soak into fabric

  • take days or weeks to fully remove

Instead:

✔ Keep your pet outdoors or in a garage
✔ Avoid letting them rub on grass, blankets, or furniture
✔ Don’t bathe them indoors (not yet!)

You need to do the initial cleaning outside.

3. Check the Eyes Immediately

If your pet was sprayed in the face, their eyes will be burning and watery.

What to do:

  • Rinse the eyes gently with cool, clean water OR

  • Use a sterile pet-safe eye wash (saline) if available

If your pet cannot open their eyes or seems in severe pain, call your veterinarian.

4. Use the Proven Odor-Removal Formula (Skip the Tomato Juice Myth)

Tomato juice doesn’t neutralize skunk odor — it just masks it.
What you need is a chemical reaction, not a disguise.

The only formula that reliably works is this well-known de-skunking mixture:

✔ The Skunk Odor-Neutralizing Formula

Mix together:

  • 1 quart (4 cups) 3% hydrogen peroxide

  • ¼ cup baking soda

  • 1–2 teaspoons liquid dish soap

This mixture neutralizes the thiols that cause skunk odor.

Important:

  • Mix it fresh — it becomes unstable if stored

  • Do NOT get it into your pet’s eyes or mouth

  • Do not store it in a closed container (pressure builds)

  • Only use 3% hydrogen peroxide (the common kind)

5. Apply the Mixture Properly

  1. Put on gloves

  2. Wet your pet’s fur with cool water

  3. Apply the mixture generously, working it into the fur

  4. Avoid the eye and nose area

  5. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes

  6. Rinse thoroughly

  7. Wash with pet shampoo afterward

  8. Rinse again

If your pet has a thick coat, you might need to repeat once more.

6. Dealing With Face or Head Spray (Be Extra Gentle)

Many pets get sprayed directly in the face while investigating a skunk.

For the face area:

  • Do NOT use the peroxide mixture near the eyes

  • Use a damp washcloth with diluted pet shampoo

  • Repeat gentle wiping

  • Rinse with cool water

Avoid scrubbing aggressively — irritated skin is already sensitive.

7. What If the Smell Lingers?

It’s normal for a faint smell to remain for days, especially when the animal gets wet again.

To help reduce lingering odor:

  • Use a pet-safe odor-neutralizing spray

  • Wash bedding, collars, and harnesses

  • Air out the garage or porch

  • Keep your pet outdoors until dry

  • Avoid bringing them onto carpets for 24 hours

Skunk spray is oily — it can cling to fur even after washing.

8. When to Contact a Veterinarian

Most skunk spray incidents don’t require a vet visit, but there are exceptions.

Seek veterinary help if:

  • Your pet was sprayed at very close range

  • Their eyes are extremely red or swollen

  • They vomit repeatedly

  • They show signs of breathing difficulty

  • You suspect they were bitten or scratched

  • They were sprayed inside the mouth

  • Your pet is very elderly or has breathing issues

Rarely, skunk spray can cause temporary anemia in dogs if inhaled in extremely large amounts.

9. Preventing Future Encounters

Most pets get sprayed because they rush toward skunks, not because skunks approach them.
You can reduce future run-ins by:

Do:

  • Supervise pets at night

  • Use outdoor lighting

  • Keep dogs on a leash for nighttime bathroom trips

  • Clean up yard attractants (fallen fruit, trash, pet food)

  • Secure crawlspaces, decks, and sheds

Don’t:

  • Let pets wander at dusk or dawn

  • Allow dogs to chase wildlife

  • Leave food outdoors overnight

Skunks are gentle, reluctant-to-engage animals — if you reduce temptations, they usually keep their distance.

Final Thoughts

A skunk spray incident is unpleasant for everyone, especially your pet, but it’s manageable with the right approach.
Most pets recover quickly, the smell can be neutralized effectively, and future encounters can be minimized with a few simple changes.

Understanding how skunks behave — and why they spray — makes it easier to stay calm and handle the situation safely, without panic or stress.

Got Wildlife or Pests? 

If you think that you have a wildlife or pest infestation problem, don't hesitate to reach out to us by calling 855-WILDLIFE or by visiting www.wildlifexteam.com for more information. 

Thanks! 
​-Wildlife x Team International 

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