Skunk mating season begins in February and lasts through March, with skunk babies — also known as kits — typically born toward the end of May and June.

Skunks are most active at dawn and dusk and can be found in most any environment, except heavily-wooded areas.

If you’re a dog owner with a yard, the chances of your dog encountering a skunk at least once in their lifetime is pretty high. Dogs are naturally curious animals, so if they see a skunk on their territory, they’re probably going to want to investigate.

Although dealing with the aftermath of skunk spray can be nauseating, here are some tips to get your dog quickly cleaned up and smelling fresh.

The first rule to a skunked pup is to keep them outside! The smell is powerful and will linger on whatever it touches. Unless you want your entire abode to reek of skunk for a few weeks, do not let your dog inside.

If you’re looking for an all-natural way to de-skunk, we have a simple solution made with common household items.

You can try mixing:

  • 1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide
  • ¼ cup of baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap

You’ll want to wear rubber gloves while applying the solution to your dog, so your hands aren’t left smelling like skunk. Also, be careful to not get the solution in your dog’s eyes, as it will burn, and can be very dangerous.

Please note that a pet’s face is usually what smells the longest because you cannot put strong chemicals near there, even if that’s where they were sprayed.

Once the solution has been rubbed into the pet, let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Next, wash your dog with regular pet shampoo.

Keep in mind that the smell will sometimes linger, but will be faint and bearable.

We also recommend shampoo products such as Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover, as the chemicals in these solutions should quickly dissolve the smell.

Any dog or human clothes that smell of skunk can be washed with regular laundry detergent mixed with a half cup of baking soda to smell normal again.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends at Premier Pet Supply for all your pet-related questions!