Originally published February 23 2009
Natural Ways to Treat a Dog that has been Skunked
by Sheryl Walters
(NaturalNews) People who live in rural areas or on property of several acres may have dogs that are allowed freedom to spend time off a leash outdoors. If a dog and a skunk meet and get into the owner`s house before being de-skunked, the results could be problematic.
There are a number of commercial ingredients available to clean the smelly dog, but many contain chemicals most of us would rather not use on our pets. Homemade natural remedies can be easy to put together and use.
Tomato juice works great. You will need at least one gallon. It should be applied at room temperature. Just pour large amounts on the dog and rub it in for about ten to fifteen minutes. If you have a light colored dog, its fur may be stained by the juice, but the smell will be gone. After massaging the juice into the dog`s fur, rinse it out with copious amounts of tepid water. Lastly, apply any natural soap to the fur and shampoo. Rinse again and towel dry.
Another natural remedy is apple cider vinegar. Again, it will take at least a gallon. Pour the vinegar onto the dog`s fur and massage into the hair for at least fifteen minutes. A mild, natural soap can then be used to shampoo the dog. A final rinse with baking soda in it is helpful. About a cup of baking soda in a gallon of water will work. A clean water rinse and towel dry should follow.
If your dog has been sprayed in the face, you will need to take it to a veterinarian. If there is going to be any wait, pour gallons of water on the dog`s head, avoiding the ears but washing out the eyes. Wiping the eyes with a wet cloth should not be used as it could further irritate them. Running water is the best. The dog will be frothing at the mouth if it has been skunked in the face. Be sure the dog has plenty of fresh water to drink at will. Avoid using a plastic or rubber dish at this time unless you plan to replace it. It may absorb the odor.
If you can treat the dog out of doors, do it. In case you end up with skunk odor in the house, though, plan on using baking soda by the pound to sprinkle lavishly on your carpet. Wait about twenty minutes, and then vacuum. Something else that will help odor in the house is fresh pine boughs. By fresh we mean go out and cut them yourself. Shake them well to be sure you aren`t bringing in any insects. Pile them loosely in each room that has been skunked. New boughs will need to be cut every two days, but two applications should do it.
Most dogs only need one introduction to a skunk. They will know to run away after that. Occasionally, Labrador Retrievers are known to continue to chase skunks. If you own a Lab, you may want to keep a supply of tomato juice.
http://homeremedies.ygoy.com/updates/?p=115
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/deskunking-...
www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html
About the author
Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous. You can also find some of the most powerful super foods on the planet including raw chocolate, purple corn, and many others.
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