How To: De-skunk-ify Your Dog

TOMATO JUICE DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK!!!

 

 

Skunks are simply pests, nothing less. They get into your yard, surprise you on a walk, show up in your trashcan, etcetera, etcetera. But they bring lots of problems, including a stench worse than anything you've ever smelled before.

You will know when your dog's been skunked, believe me. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR DOG when he has been sprayed. He has skunk oils all over him that will spread to your skin and clothes and to anything you touch. Keep him outside. Immediately bathe him with this solution.

• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap

Mix it together. Wear sanitary gloves and clothes that cover your arms and legs, you have to throw these out in your trashcan as soon as you're done. Get a sponge and dunk it in the solution. Then, scrub well into your dog, wherever he was sprayed. Make sure that his collar is off and thrown away.

Continue to keep your dog outside, anything that he touches must be thrown away immediately. Wash him with this same solution everyday for about a week, or more if he still smells. After he's done stinking, wash him with normal dog shampoo. Remember that his skin is probably dry from the solution, so try to find a product that helps moisturize dog skin and coats.

To prevent any further skunk attacks, here are some ways to help:

• Leave your lights on at night until your dog is definitely inside for the night
• Spray skunk-away products or  around your yard
• Keep pet food and garbage out of reach
• Look out for feces of skunks or holes in your yard or under your house

NOTE: IF YOUR DOG IS BITTEN, SCRATCHED, OR HAS BEEN SPRAYED IN THE EYES BY A SKUNK, TAKE HIM TO THE VET

Russian Tortoises

Russian Tortoises are great pets! They are honestly the lowest maintenence pets I have ever seen or owned!

WEATHER AND TEMPERATURE

Russian Torts come from the desert areas around Iran so they are used to hot, slightly humid weather. Therefore, they are great in areas like Socal, and bad in areas where it snows. A humidifier is sometimes recommended, but it isn't necessary unless your torts are always inside. They can be outside in as low as 50 degree (F) weather, but where I live, it (rarely) can get to the 30's or 40's.

HABITAT

During these times, or when it rains, I put my two torts Charley and Lola into a small box, filled about halfway up with sand. There is a lid that folds half way that I drilled about 10 holes into. These boxes with wheels are sold at Home Depot. I don't need light because they are only inside when they really have to. Otherwise, they stay in their outside habitat that I built myself. It is blocked so my dogs can't come in and is about 8'x 3' so there is PLENTY of room for them to crawl around and climb. There is a hinged lid on top for easy use of putting them and their food in and out. It is covered in clear plastic so that when it rains, the habitat doesn't get soaked. The floor is made out of woodchips on top dirt so the can dig anywhere. There's a small flowerless bush in the middle that provides shade, and the torts don't even try to eat it. Inside their outdoor habitat is a water bowl with a ramp that is shallow so they can take naps in it :) I also have a large half log that you can buy from any pet or reptile store. It's natural and they LOVE to climb on it, slide down, and sleep under it. There is lastly, a small food bowl.

FEEDING

Russian Tortoises are very low maintenence with feeding. Once a day, preferably in the morning, each tortoise should have about half of a leaf of lettuce. It could be Red Leaf or Romaine, but preferably Green Leaf for it is the healthiest. Don't feed Iceberg Lettuce, it isnt healthy for tortoises. You can also feed torts extra treats every once in a while such as: tomato, carrot, berries, rose petals, aloe, or spinach.Find a full list of foods that torts can eat, that way you can plant different plants in your habitat. I would suggest soaking them every once in a while, twice a week in the summer.