Tobique stares longingly at the skunk who will soon spray him.
What to do if your dog is sprayed by a skunk:
Skunk spray is composed mainly of low molecular weight thiol compounds, namely (E)-2-butene-1-thiol, 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, and 2-quinolinemethanethiol, as well as acetate thioesters of each of these. These compounds are detectable at concentrations of about 2 parts per million.
Removing the scent from objects or creatures can be difficult. Some home remedies suggest using tomato juice or vinegar. A more complex and effective remedy includes application of a mixture containing hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid soap. The thiols, which are responsible for the odor, are not water soluble, even with soap, but the baking soda catalyzes the oxidative ability of the peroxide, which oxidizes the thiols into highly water-soluble sulfonates. In an episode of the television program MythBusters, the hydrogen peroxide mix was found to be the most effective smell removal agent.
The recipe:
- one quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon liquid soap
- (you can halve these ingredients as it only lasts for 24 hours once mixed)
Mix and apply to the dog using a cloth or spray bottle, leave on for about 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Remember this contains peroxide, so spot test fabrics first! It may also cause a slight lightening of your dog’s fur.
My dog got sprayed 3 times this past summer. (Not a fast learner :P) The mythbusters concoction works SO AMAZINGLY well. It did make his coat frizzy and brittle (he has "hair" not fur) so I'll be glad when I can shave him down come spring and start growing his coat back again. (I'd rather have a frizzy coat than smell bad :P)
It even works on your own clothes and body/hair as well. (I got sprayed trying to protect my dog from an itty bitty baby skunk, did you know they can spray too? :P)
Posted by: Andrea | February 06, 2009 at 01:57 PM
My dog got sprayed 3 times this past summer. (Not a fast learner :P) The mythbusters concoction works SO AMAZINGLY well. It did make his coat frizzy and brittle (he has "hair" not fur) so I'll be glad when I can shave him down come spring and start growing his coat back again. (I'd rather have a frizzy coat than smell bad :P)
It even works on your own clothes and body/hair as well. (I got sprayed trying to protect my dog from an itty bitty baby skunk, did you know they can spray too? :P)
Posted by: Andrea | February 06, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Why are you here, Michelle?
This is a site about cute fluffies, not science class.
Thank you.
Posted by: NO NAME FOR YOU! (name nazi) | February 06, 2009 at 02:35 PM
That dog is super cute :) He looks like my dog though, so I may be slightly biased. And honestly, Michelle, I'm glad you're here. Your posts about taking great pictures are nice and informative :)
Posted by: Lauren | February 06, 2009 at 02:38 PM
no name for you--i think michelle is here because chris asked her to be here. and i am enjoying her incredible photos and her informative postings! thank you Michelle!
Posted by: leslie | February 06, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Dear noname,
Science is always cute, especially when its Chemistry.
And, science rocks.
Sincerely,
Jenni
Oh, Michelle, Tobique is quite adorable.
Skunks are cute too, except for the stinky.
Posted by: Jenni | February 06, 2009 at 02:55 PM
The mythbusters concoction works AMAZINGLY well. My dog got sprayed 3 times this past summer (not a fast learner :P). It also works on your own clothes/hair/body (I was trying to save a baby skunk from my dog augh).
Posted by: Andrea | February 06, 2009 at 03:32 PM
And, of course, remember not to spray it in your dog's eyes. If the skunk sprayed them in the eyes, rinse the eyes out with saline.
Posted by: Dr. Mel | February 06, 2009 at 05:18 PM
But the hydrogen peroxide will ruin by poodle's dye job!
Ok, jk. This is useful info. Thanks!
Posted by: Single Kelly | February 06, 2009 at 06:31 PM
OMG this made me have flashbacks to Organic Chemistry! :D Thanks so much for posting this... those tricky thiols!
Posted by: Nicole | February 06, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Of course science is cute.
My mom's a scientist. But, it's not as site for science. It's a site for mindless, souless, little animals.
And I guess my question is better fitted for Chris.
Chris...why is she here?
Nothing against her personally! I just don't like the site much anymore.
Posted by: NO NAME FOR YOU! (name nazi) | February 06, 2009 at 11:51 PM
OMG people get over it, it's not the majority of post aren't still adorable animals.
Michelle your posts are great, a refreshing break from mindless cuteness, and who gets mad about learning something useful? Really. In addition to the useful knowledge and High Quality Photography, your posts are hilarious. You are truly the Choosen One Michelle, and who are these lowly cult members who question the judgement of m'lord?
keep the awesomeness coming :D
Posted by: Sarah | February 07, 2009 at 05:19 AM
Febreeze! The answer to any smelly problem!
Posted by: Sarah aka KB | February 07, 2009 at 10:01 AM
no name, i think michelle made it clear how difficult and time consuming this job is, and chris has to deal with it all the time. chris asked for a guest editor, he also had ccl carm as one, i think he is just trying to get a little break. notice we don't always get monday shows anymore? between the web casts and the website and the live shows and the merchandising, and the thousands of pieces of mail chris gets a week (did i say week?--i mean day!).
plus you gotta admit, michelle has posted alot fo very much so, very chris like, entries. kudos to michelle. we all love chris, but give the guy a break. and if you want to go away cause your bored, i don't think anyone's gonna miss you.
Posted by: leslie | February 08, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Got to admit - im not loving the site with the same gusto as i used to. All good things come to an end i suppose...eek.
Amy Uk x
Posted by: Amy UK | February 08, 2009 at 08:28 AM
But it's just not CWC anymore.
I agree with Amy!
It seems more professional, and there are...people...in it.
I don't like people. (only M'lord)
It's not as home-made indie.
Like she said, all good things come to an end.
Wal-Mart used to be a small buisness, then they got popular.
So long, CWC...I shall miss you.
Posted by: NO NAME FOR YOU! (name nazi) | February 09, 2009 at 12:44 AM