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May 10 2018
Home » News » Stop The Spray Keeping Skunks At Bay
Spring has sprung, and the critters that have been sleepily overwintering have begun the grand venture out from their winter retreats. This time of year can be intriguing for pets. New sights, sounds, and smells! Skunks can be an unwelcome nuisance though, as mating season gets under way. Skunks mate mid-winter to early spring, so their young are born between April and June. This is when people notice new little residents on their property!
Skunks are generally shy, and not aggressive unless they feel threatened. They are nocturnal, usually coming out of their dens around dusk to begin the search for food. Skunks are burrowers, and like forested, brushy areas and fields. However, in urban areas they often seek out dark and quiet spaces, like under sheds and decks, to build their dens.
Your dog getting sprayed by a skunk is right up there as one of the most groan-worthy situations to deal with! Because skunk spray is oil-based, it transfers easily and is extremely hard to get rid of. When it comes to skunks, keeping your pets from getting sprayed is much easier than dealing with the alternative.
The best way to keep your dog from getting sprayed is to discourage skunks from setting up residence on your property. Below are some measures you can take to make your property less attractive to skunks:
If your dog does get sprayed, there are many treatments to choose from, from home remedies to commercial products, that vary in degree of effectiveness. Speak with your veterinarian about the options. Chances are the solutions your veterinarian may recommend, or have available in their clinic, will work much better than those you find online. For more information and a veterinary-approved home remedy that may help you in a pinch, see the article “Skunk Spray and Your Dog”, found in the Pet Health Article section here on your veterinarian’s website.
What’s the bottom line – or rhyme?! – in all of this?
The best way to deal with the spray is to keep the skunks at bay!
LifeLearn News
Note: This article, written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written permission of Lifelearn. Please note that the news information presented here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian.
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