If your cat got sprayed by a skunk, there's no mistaking that horrible odor. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to get rid of the smell. Cat expert Wendy Nan Rees offers practical advice to clean up your cat and your home.
Tomato Juice May Not Work for Skunk-Sprayed Pets
You may say, "I have an indoor cat, so why should I worry about my cat getting sprayed by a skunk?"
You never know what can happen and it only takes a few minutes of outdoor activity for your pet to be skunked. Your cat could walk off the porch, startle a skunk, and immediately get sprayed. The immediate thought after a cat is sprayed by a skunk is often, "Help, what do I do, use tomato juice?"
Yes, you can try tomato juice, but this will not work. Contrary to popular belief, tomato juice doesn't work on most pets. Nevertheless, people still try it and some swear by it. Here are a few other tips to try if your cat should get sprayed by a skunk.
Remove Skunk Smell From Your Cat
Before you use the following tips to clean your cat, review these bathing tips:
- Put cotton balls in your pet's ears to protect the inner-ear tissue from the cleaning mixture, which could easily drip in.
- Apply a drop of olive or baby oil to their eyes to prevent irritation.
- Make sure to use rubber gloves to protect your hands during the bathing process. Start with your pet's head, taking care not to get the solution into their eyes, ears or mouth.
- Rub the cleaning mixture evenly into your pet's coat. It will probably be more pleasant to do this outdoors, weather permitting.
- Rinse the coat well with clean water.
The above steps can be repeated if the smell persists.
Tip One
To get rid of that awful odor:
- Mix one quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of baking soda and one teaspoon of mild dishwashing detergent (make sure it doesn't contain bleach or ammonia).
- Rub this mixture into your cat's coat. Don't allow any to drip into your pet's ears or eyes.
- Next, bathe with a mild pet shampoo and rinse well.
Tip Two
White vinegar or hydrogen peroxide counteracts the natural oil in skunk spray. You need to clean with something stronger than water -- something that can remove oil instead of just spreading it around. Try this popular and highly recommended mixture:
- 1 liter (or quart) white vinegar, or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (be aware: peroxide may cause bleaching)
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon dish detergent (also a de-greaser)
Remove the Smell From Your Home
Use commercial sprays designed to deodorize and neutralize any smells your cat may leave behind on your furniture. Household cleaning sprays and products, such as Febreeze, Simple Green, or an organic product called Cedar Green Mist (TM), can be effective against skunk smell on fabrics and furniture. "Skunk Off" is a spray designed specifically for treating skunk-sprayed pets. Bleach can remove that skunk smell from outdoor structures. Use a mixture of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water (or detergent and water), to clean sprayed areas (such as a porch) that aren't in danger of staining from the bleach.
Get a 4-cup (or larger) microwave-safe bowl and pour 1 cup of vinegar inside. Add several cloves and a bit of cinnamon. Put this mix into the microwave for a minute or two. Use caution: This mixture will be extremely hot, so let it sit in the microwave for 15 minutes to cool before you remove it. Now, set the bowl where you need to eliminate the bad smell. This will also help deodorize your microwave.
Wash all sprayed clothes and fabrics as soon as possible. The faster you get those smelly things in the wash, the better the chance that the skunk odor will actually wash off. Using your regular laundry detergent is fine, although treating the fabrics with an additional cleaner beforehand may help, as well.
Be Prepared
Here are a few things you might want to keep on hand. You just never know when you may need them. It's better to be safe than sorry.
- Cotton swabs
- Baking soda
- Liquid dish soap (many animal rescuers use Dawn)
- Rubber gloves
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Garden hose and spray attachment
- Dog grooming sprays
- Shampoos and conditioners
- Commercially prepared skunk odor removers
Many groomers use Massengill powder douche as a pre-bath rinse. Make sure to check with your veterinarian if you have any questions.
Preventing Your Cat From Being Sprayed
Skunks, like many other pests, are attracted to available food, such as pet food or scraps in the garbage. They are also attracted to possible nesting places such as sheds, wood piles, or crawl spaces around the house and yard. So, keep your garbage tightly closed, and keep your home and yard clean and sealed against unwanted furry visitors.
It is also important to remember that skunks are nocturnal animals, so it is likely that your dog or cat will be sprayed at the most inopportune time, such as on a chilly spring evening just as you are about to go to bed. These late night encounters mean that your local pet store that carries skunk odor removal products will probably be closed.
The best way to help prevent your pet from being sprayed is to use a leash and harness when you are in the woods or the country. Skunks can carry rabies, so make sure your pet's vaccinations are current before you visit areas frequented by skunks.
Wash Your Pet As Soon as Possible
The sooner you wash your pet, the easier it will be to remove the musk. Take care not to get any of the bathwater into your pet's eyes or ears because it can really burn. A small amount of Vaseline applied to the eyebrows is effective for protecting the eyes. If you must pick up your animal to wash them in the sink or bathtub, use a towel to avoid getting skunked yourself. Don't let your pet touch anything inside of your house unless you want it to smell like skunk. If it happens, though, here are some tips for getting skunk smells out of the house.
