Skunks are a member of the Mustelidae family. They originate from North and South America and are linked to creatures like ferrets, badgers, and otters.
The only Mustelidae species with the capacity to forcibly spray their characteristic, strong, musk-like scent up to 15 feet are skunks. Nearly all other Mustelidae species have scent glands that may produce this characteristic, strong, musky smell.
Cat owners are familiar with the suffering and difficulties that can result from a skunk spray incident. The fact that skunks occasionally spray cats may surprise some people. Because the debate over whether or not cats should be allowed to roam outside can get quite heated in some circles, I won’t go into the exact benefits and drawbacks of each side in this post.
However, if you allow your cat to go outside, you must take precautions since it might encounter animals like skunks that an indoor-only cat wouldn’t.
What Is Skunk Spray, Exactly?
Skunk spray, which is used for self-defense, is produced in the anal glands of the skunk. It is a yellow oil made composed of a range of volatile (they can readily change into gases) thiols or thioacetates. Thioacetates may typically be quickly converted into thiols when coupled with water, despite the fact that they smell milder than thiols. Additionally, thiols have the ability to quickly and strongly attach to skin proteins. When afraid, skunks have the ability and desire to spray this liquid directly into whatever is pursuing them.
How Can You Support Your Scat?
If your cat gets skunk spray in their eyes, they could get red and swollen. If this happens, you should immediately flush your cat’s eyes out. There are several products available that can be utilized in this way without running the danger. If you live in an area where skunks are common, it wouldn’t hurt to keep some on hand. If skunk spray gets in your cat’s mouth or nose, additional symptoms including drooling, vomiting, nausea, or sneezing could happen. Cats with acute anemia may occasionally be treated with skunk spray. If you frequently see any evidence of spray in your cat’s mouth, nose, or eyes, consult a veterinarian straight away.
Even if your cat appears to have survived their contact with a skunk with merely a bad smell, you should still make an effort to get rid of it. In the past, homemade remedies based on tomato juice were popular, but the results weren’t always the best.
The most effective natural method to de-skunk your cat is to mix one quart of three percent hydrogen peroxide with one quarter cup of baking soda and one to two tablespoons of liquid hand soap. You may better massage this solution into your cat’s coat by donning rubber gloves before giving him a thorough bath. The peroxide in the solution shouldn’t be left on for too long because doing so could bleach your cat’s fur. The skin of your cat will get more irritated if you use hydrogen peroxide that is greater than three percent, therefore you should only use that amount.
You might also need to repeat this process if your cat stinks awfully terrible. If the prospect of bathing your cat causes you to worry just how foul the odor truly is, you might want to try using a sponge bath kind of treatment. Instead of entirely soaking your cat, dampen their fur with a wet washcloth and rub the solution in. When it’s time to rinse, use a clean, damp cloth to remove the solution from your cat’s fur. If only a little area of your cat’s fur was harmed, you don’t need to wash the entire area.
If any skunk smell gets on you while doing this, wash your items in regular laundry detergent and 1/2 C of baking soda.
Can My Yard Be Skunk-Proof in Any Way?
You can take actions to reduce skunk attraction in your yard. To prevent skunks from consuming your garbage, secure the lid of your outdoor trash can. If you feed your cat outside, make sure to pick up its food and water bowls at night. If you have a porch or shed, a skunk might decide to establish its den there. You can restrict access by surrounding the area with bricks or enclosing it in chicken wire. You can also throw mothballs underneath; they won’t like the smell and choose another place to live.
Skunks adore grubs as much as mice and voles do, so using a grub killer will keep them from tearing up your lawn in the middle of the night in search of food. The fact that grub killers must first be used to hydrate the soil is important to emphasize. Once it has cured, however, you, your family, and your dogs can safely be on the lawn.
Knowing what to do in the event that your cat comes into contact with one won’t necessarily mean the difference between an incident you can laugh about later on and one that could truly ruin your day.
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