{"id":13849,"date":"2024-09-24T22:14:47","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T02:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.protrainings.com\/blog\/?p=13849"},"modified":"2025-11-11T12:08:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:08:10","slug":"skunk-encounter-what-should-you-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.protrainings.com\/blog\/skunk-encounter-what-should-you-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Skunk Encounter! What Should You Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Arden Moore<\/p>\n

Lucky to Have Avoided Them<\/h3>\n

I feel like I\u2019ve won nature\u2019s lottery. Why? None of my dogs, dating back to my childhood Beagle mix named Crackers to my current duo of Kona and Emma have ever been sprayed by an agitated skunk. I count myself lucky.<\/p>\n

Far too many of my friends share how they dashed online to find an effective de-skunking recipe to rid the coats of their dogs and cats from that stubborn, offensive sulfuric skunk spray.<\/p>\n

Phew!<\/p>\n

Being Sprayed is a Common Occurrence<\/h3>\n

\u201cBeing sprayed by a skunk is a relatively common occurrence for pets, especially those who live in rural areas,\u201d says Renee Schmid, DVM, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of veterinary medicine at the Pet Poison Helpline<\/a>. \u201cMost exposures result in a pet who is covered in a strong smell, as well as skin and eye irritations.\u201d<\/p>\n

When confronted, skunks employ a four-step strategy. First, they try to escape their predators. Second, they try to scare away their predators by hissing and stamping their feet. Third, they position themselves in a U-shape, aiming their raised rear ends toward their predators. Fourth, they release the stinky spray capable of traveling up to 10 feet to strike predators in the face.<\/p>\n

Again, phew!<\/p>\n

De-skunk Recipe<\/h3>\n

Veterinarians at VCA Animal Hospitals offer this homemade de-skunking recipe and tips:<\/p>\n