Did your dog get sprayed by a skunk? This happens often, especially when you let your dog off the leash to run free around your property or park.

Dogs are curious animals and when they see another animal moving about, they want to meet the animal and see if the animal will want to play with them. Skunks are shy animals and will usually not attack other animals or approach them. Skunks that feel threatened will also give many warning signs before spraying their victim like growl or hiss, stamp his front feet rapidly, arch his back, or even walk a short distance on his front feet with his tail high in the air. As a dog approaches the skunk, the skunk's only way to defend himself is to spray the dog if the dog approaches too close.

After the dog gets sprayed, saliva and foam will start pouring out of his mouth and he may try to shake it off. Your dog will also smell like burnt rubber. If he got sprayed in the eyes, immediately rinse/flush the eyes with water since the skunk's spray will cause a burning sensation to the dog's eyes and even temporary blindness.

So how can you get rid of the skunk spray's foul-smelling odor? Many have advised in the past to wash the dog with tomato juice, spray with lemon or orange citrus, or using perfumes and Febreze. The truth is, none of these will completely remove the skunk spray odor. The best solution to remove skunk odor from you house (furniture, carpet, etc.), your cat, dog, or any pet for that matter is using the following mixture:

• 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (If you do not have hydrogen peroxide and do not want to go and buy it at your local drug store, then a 2% vinegar solution will suffice.)
  
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of liquid soap or dish detergent
• Mix these ingredients in a bucket (it will foam) and saturate your dog's hair with it. Rub it in nicely avoiding the eyes and ears.
  
• Use this mixture as soon as it made as it can become unstable if left to sit for a prolonged period of time.
• Rinse your dog or pet thoroughly with tap water afterward, and you can even repeat this process if you still smell the odor.

There are specialized shampoos sold at pet stores that also can remove the foul skunk spray odor, but if you already have the above ingredients at your home, you do not have to spend any extra money on any shampoos or to go to a store to buy one. The mixture above also works well on people who are too tempted to approach a skunk or just unlucky to come too close to one and end up being sprayed. Whatever you do, keep your distance from a skunk and keep food and garbage away from their reach since the smell of food will attract them to come to your yard and become a regular visitor.