To a dog owner, spring can mean the return of ‘Skunk Awareness’. Did you know that these usually nocturnal critters are out and about at all hours of the day and night in their quest for love with the arrival of spring? We used to live in Boston, and I swear it has to be the skunk capital of the world! There are so many in fact that it has led to the urban legend which claims that skunks were released in the city to kill and eat the rats living in the tunnels and they have thrived on either side of Boston Harbor ever since. One summer our two dogs were sprayed thirteen times in less than two months – and they were leashed at the time! Seems impossible doesn’t it? The dogs just seemed to surprise the little stinkers, encountering them in alleys, under cars and behind trash cans.

And as you might expect the worst hits occurred at the worst possible times - late at night, when all the stores were closed and nothing at home in the way of de-skunking agents. The most memorable of these occasions happened after my cousin Marci’s wedding when both dogs had yet another ‘encounter’ at 2:00 in the morning. All I had in the house at the time were canned whole tomatoes. We used what we had but for days afterwards it looked like we had murdered someone, chopped up their body and tried to drain it all down the bathtub. For weeks, even with the help of drain cleaners we felt like conspirators in a bad gangster film every time we took a shower!

Don’t be left unprepared (as we were that drunken fateful night!) and stock up on the ingredients for your de-skunking formula BEFORE the awful event! Here is the most widely used “recipe” (which I have never used):

"De-skunk recipe"
1 quart (3 %) hydrogen peroxide
½ cup baking soda
1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent

Be sure to mix and use the concoction right away. Don’t store or cover this product as it can explode from the gases formed. It only works directly on the smell and may discolor clothing.

Another option (which I have used successfully) is feminine douche powder. And having washed ‘eau de skunk’ from my dogs more than thirty times at least, I think this qualifies me as somewhat of an expert! Simply wet the dog, cover in douche then rinse and repeat if the dog still smells. Follow up with a wash using regular dog shampoo, rinse and repeat the shampoo step again. Nothing removes the smell entirely. Some residual odor may still occur and will make itself evident the next time your dog gets wet but will disappear in a month or so. Pay close attention to wash their head becuse this is where most dogs get blasted, and be careful not to get either cleaning formula in eyes or ears. You may need to soak their collar (if they’re cloth or fabric) or purchase a new one. If your dog is sprayed in the face or eyes, you may need to use an eye wash. Be sure to consult your vet if your dog appears to be in any discomfort.

Most pet stores sell one form of skunk shampoo or another. They’re generally effective at reducing the smell but don’t completely eradicate it. Only time (and repeat washes) will take care of that. Launder your skunked clothes and towels as usual with an added cup of vinegar. More than one trip through the wash may be in order.
If you elect to avoid dealing with it yourself, you can always take a trip to the groomer!

Do you have a skunk story to beat my cousin’s wedding tale? Do you know of other effective ways to remove skunk stink? Post a comment!