09/21/2026
🦨 SKUNK SEASON IS HERE! 🦨
As the weather cools down, skunks become more active, and curious pets can sometimes get a little too close for comfort. Skunks are generally peaceful animals, but when they feel threatened, they may defend themselves by spraying a strong-smelling musk.
🐾 If your pet gets sprayed…
First, don’t panic! The smell can be overwhelming, but there are steps you can take at home:
Keep your pet outside or in an easy-to-clean area until they can be cleaned.
Avoid getting the spray on yourself or in your eyes.
A pet-safe skunk odor remover is often the best option. There are also commonly used home solutions involving hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap, but these can irritate the skin and eyes and should never be stored or left sitting on your pet. Keep the solution away from your pet's eyes, nose, and mouth.
Do not use tomato juice — despite the old advice, it generally does not neutralize skunk odor.
Wash collars, bedding, and other items separately, as the odor can linger.
👀 Most importantly, check your pet after a skunk encounter. Skunk spray can irritate the eyes and skin. If your pet was sprayed directly in the face, is squinting, has red or irritated eyes, is vomiting, seems weak or unusually quiet, or you have any concerns, please contact your veterinarian.
🚨 Sprayed within the last 72 hours?
Please call us before coming into the hospital.
We absolutely want to care for your pet! Because skunk odor can be extremely difficult to remove from a veterinary hospital and can linger throughout the building, we have a special procedure for recently sprayed pets.
When you call, we will have you wait in your car for your pet's exam. Once we're ready, we will bring your pet into the hospital through a separate entrance.
This isn't about keeping you or your pet away — quite the opposite! ❤️ It's simply the best way for us to care for your pet while protecting the comfort of other patients, their families, and our staff.
🦨 A little prevention can go a long way: Keep pets supervised outdoors, especially around dusk and nighttime, and make sure they can't access areas where skunks may be hiding.
Compilation of baby skunks playing, stomping and spraying. Skunks a...