Tips & Tricks for co-existing with Wildlife

Skunks Spraying

A skunk can spray as far as 3.7 meters or 12 feet. They aim for the victims face, usually your dog or cat, and their aim is generally dead on.

The following remedies for removing skunk odor have been tried by pet owners.

Before you start, put on disposable rubber or latex gloves. Try to have the gloves as form fitting as possible so they don’t slip around and frighten your pet.

Wash your pet’s face and rinse the eyes with clear, warm water to flush out skunk spray which can sting sensitive membranes. If the eyes are still sensitive, use a saline solution similar to that used by contact wearers and available at your local pharmacy.

Some owners claim a good soak in white vinegar and water or a bath in lemon juice and water, followed by a pet shampoo will leave your pet smelling as fresh as a daisy.

A touch of Dawn dishwashing liquid, 700-100 milliliters of baking soda, a liter of vinegar should foam up and sit on the pet before being rinsed off. The are a number treatments that use various combinations of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or vinegar and a grease cutting liquid dish soap such as Dawn.

The easiest one to remember is to combine the ingredients in equal parts. A word of warning—this chemical mixture could react when stored and cause the container to explode. So discard any unused solution.

Your vet or pet supply store will carry a skunk deodorizer such as Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor remover or Skunk Out. Believe it or not a product that is suppose to work well is Massengil douche. Try your local pharmacy.

Vinegar bowls will help to descent a room. Remedies can also be found on the internet at www.woofsandmeows.com/skunked.htm.

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Back to Wildlife Rehab

The Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Department cares for injured and immature animals. The Toronto Humane Society has cared for a variety of wild animals such as owls, hawks, deer, foxes, beavers, and raccoons. We have the expertise and knowledge to help rehabilitate these animals. The Shelter has both indoor and outdoor facilities to keep our wild animals safe.

For more information call: 416.392.2273

Hours of Operation: Seasonal.