Skunked: What’s that Smell?

We all know that Skunks use their strong-smelling spray to defend themselves. As their only form of defense, it is pretty effective in driving anyone away from them!  Evidently, the spray is composed of a kind of sulfuric acid that they can “fire” or spray from either of two independently operating anal glands.

Did you know that Skunks stamp their front feet as a warning when threatened, giving you a chance to back off?  Although I did not know this and haven’t been sprayed, I guess many dogs tend not to see or understand this warning!  They do seem to find those cute black and white critters to be irresistible sometimes!  For anyone in the country, in the springtime, it is all too often a common occurrence for your dog to get sprayed by a skunk.  If you have had the ‘pleasure’ you know it can take weeks for that smell to dissipate.

My dog Liza got skunked tonight so I got to try this recipe out once again and it really worked.  She was pretty upset rubbing her nose on everything when she first came in the house.  I know the scent was stinging my face and I was not the one sprayed!  I put some Rescue Remedy on her first and into the bath tub she went.

Here is a recipe I used:

1 quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cup Baking Soda
1 teaspoon liquid dish soap or Young Living Animal Scents Shampoo

Apply liberally, hold your nose, wash and rinse!

Here are some additional recommendations that I have successfully used:

•    Replace the liquid dish soap with Young Living Animal Scents Shampoo or Thieves Household Cleaner to cut the smell.

•    The Young Living Oil Blend Purification in a spritzer bottle and then spritzed liberally all over the effected coat and areas as needed.

•    The Bach Flower Remedy Crabapple is also quite useful when added in a spritzer bottle with Purification to cut odor as well.

•    Use the Bach Flower Rescue Remedy wiped along their back and ears if your dog is upset.

•    The sooner you wash your dog after being sprayed, the easier it is get rid of the scent.

•    The sooner you wash your dog after being sprayed, the easier it is get rid of the scent. 

•    You may need to shampoo more than once.  Apply as needed.

•    Spritzing on a daily basis may also be helpful.  Use liberally as needed.

•    Diffuse Young Living Essential Oils such as Purification or Lemon in the house enhancing the aromas in the house.

Some of this material was adapted from an article by Laura Simon, the Urban Wildlife director for The Fund for Animals in New York City. The article, “Wild Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife,” available from The HSUS was also a resource used.

To order Young Living Essential Oils or the Animal Scents Shampoo, please go to www.youngliving.com/oneheartsr

Sandy Rakowitz of One Heart Healing Center for People & Animals offers a professional perspective with 20+ years experience in the field of Animal Wellness.  Sandy offers private sessions in person and via telephone with TTouch, Energy Healing Medicine, Animal Communication, Young Living Therapeutic Essential Oils for people and animals. 434-973-8864