Skip to main content

Cat sprayed by a skunk? Stop everything and do this immediately

Take these steps right away if a skunk sprays your cat

It’s basically every pet owner’s worst nightmare. You might hear a rustle, and then suddenly, there’s the smell — possibly the most terrible one you’ve ever encountered. Worst of all, your cat will take an even bigger whiff since he's the target of the attack (and he has a very strong nose to boot).

Unfortunately, getting sprayed by a skunk can do more than just stink up the house, and in the worst-case scenario, you may even need to seek out the vet. To minimize the damage to your animal, home, and the olfactory system, you want to take care of this pungent disaster immediately. But don’t worry! There’s a lot you can do from your home to solve the problem quickly and easy.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

30 minutes

What You Need

  • Cat eyewash

  • Hand towel

  • Hydrogen peroxide

  • Baking soda

  • Pet shampoo

  • Air freshener

Skunk sits in the yard looking wary
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why do skunks spray?

Just as your cat scratches in self-defense, skunks spray to ward off their enemies — with your cat (or dog) near the top of that list. In fact, these stinkers don’t have many other repelling mechanisms, being small and not terribly fast. So they stick to the heinous smell, which is supposed to teach the potential predator never to approach the little black and white stink-bomb again.

The spray itself is a liquid that he can control through a couple of anal glands. Unfortunately for you and your pets, that means his aim is pretty good and that he will likely nail your curious little pet head on.

Bob cat and skunk meet in the yard
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do I take care of my cat and myself?

As long as you follow a few simple steps, you should succeed in ridding everything of the offending stink, though getting there won’t be the most pleasant process.

Step 1: Sequester your animal.

As soon as you can get your kitty away from the stinky little detonator, take him to a room far from other people and pets. You don’t want the fresh spritz to wind up covering the dog or your favorite blanket. The bathroom where you keep his litter works well (since that’s a safe space to him).

Step 2: Wipe his face.

The spray can really irritate his face and might require a vet visit if he’s constantly messing with his nose or has red and watery eyes. You can wash them out with eyewash to start then monitor his behavior.

Step 3: Make your cleanser.

There are professional products available for you to buy, and if skunk spraying becomes a regular occurrence, we do recommend that you keep some on hand. But feel free to just whip up this recipe if you ever need it. Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, and throw in a little dish soap if you need the extra oomph. That should do the trick.

Step 4: Rub him down.

Skip his head and use your cleaner on the rest of his body (don't forget the paws and tail). Be careful around his private parts as you don't want the mixture to sting any sensitive areas. You can follow this with a standard bath and then lots of treats — this is a lot for your little guy to go through.

Step 5: Check for bites.

While skunks rely on their powerful musk to ward off carnivores, they aren’t against sinking their teeth in. Skunks can carry diseases, such as rabies, or cause infections with their bite, so if you see any broken skin, be sure to take your kitty to the veterinarian as soon as you can.

Step 6: Wash your stuff.

Before you get started, turn on the fan and open a window to ventilate the space. Then wipe down floors and counters that your pet may have rubbed on. Lastly, put your own clothes alone in the machine with a little baking soda thrown in. Use an air freshener if the smell lingers in the house.

Step 7: Get a checkup.

Usually, your feline will completely recover without complications. However, make sure he’s not rubbing his face too much in the following days, which might indicate that his skin is still irritated and he needs a little extra TLC.

While no one wants their tiny creature to end up in an altercation with a skunk, it does happen from time to time — but this doesn’t have to be the end of the world. With the right products on hand and a little elbow grease, you’ll have both of you back to top shape in no time. If kitty gets sprayed a lot, you can look into skunk repellent — though use it sparingly, as skunks need a safe place too. Hopefully, your cat will take the lesson to heart and learn to leave the smelly guys alone.

Editors' Recommendations

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why you should feel honored if your cat sleeps at your feet
If you've ever wondered about this cat behavior, this article is for you
Calico cat lying on a white comforter

Have you noticed that when you go to sleep, your cat automatically heads to the foot of the bed and curls up by your feet? It's no mistake, and it's not your cat giving you the cold shoulder, either. This is a deliberate decision on your kitty's part, and there are many reasons why they might choose to sleep there instead of curling up on your stomach or by your shoulder. In fact, if your cat sleeps by your feet, you should take it as a compliment and feel flattered.

So, why do cats sleep at your feet? It's a mix of your cat's affection for you, a feeling of safety, and even the body heat you generate that play into your cat's decision to sleep at the foot of the bed.

Read more
Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes, but there are huge health risks you need to know about
Facts about feeding you cat raw chicken
A bowl of raw chicken plus supplements to feed to a pet

You've probably heard all about raw diets for pets. After all, more pet owners than ever want to give their animals a healthier diet! Given that wild cats eat raw meat all the time, it seems to make sense that your domestic cat would also benefit from these kinds of meals. But feeding uncooked meats, including raw chicken, is complicated, and it carries some risks.

There are definitely benefits of feeding raw chicken to cats, but it's also important to understand the concerns and to talk to your vet about your cat food plans so you can make the dietary choice that's right for your animal. Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes. But whether it's a good idea to feed cats raw chicken is a better question to consider.

Read more
4 reasons why cats wag their tails while lying down
This behavior is almost always never something to worry about
Cat yawns while sitting in a window

We know all about dog tail wagging, and most pet owners can spot the difference between a happy twitch and a cautious one. But did you realize that cats use their tails to express themselves, too? Like with dogs, the cat tail swish could mean a few different things, and it's important to have some sense of feline behavior — and your specific kitty — to decipher their movements. So why do cats wag their tails while lying down? We'll walk you through the most common causes and when you might need to step in.

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down?
If you stumble upon your kitty lying down and only moving their tail, it's probably because of one of these four reasons.
They feel happy or playful
You might see your cat lying lazily in the sun, but suddenly they give a little tail twitch as you approach. It's not your imagination. They're excited to see you and ready to play. Assuming you don't note any signs of aggression (we'll get to those later), you should head on over to pet your cat or grab their favorite toy and start a game.
It's hunting time
We can all picture the lion stalking their prey while slowly moving their tail back and forth — your cat does this, too. Oftentimes, this one will happen when they're lying on a perch or near a window and can spy on birds or small mammals in the yard. It could even be that they've spotted a fly and will pounce at any minute. All you need to do here is reach for your camera and enjoy your silly kitty at their best.
They're stressed
A cat that feels stressed will often floof their tail and start to wag it. Kitties generally puff up their fur to appear larger and more menacing. This action may also combine with an arched back or a hiss. Alternatively, sometimes tail thumping comes from overstimulation. You'll recognize pretty quickly which movements indicate fear and which mean fun.
They're dreaming
Sometimes, you'll observe your mouser twitch their tail while sleeping. It could come from a simple muscle spasm just like you get when you sleep (it also might mean they're hunting down prey in their dreams). Additionally, your sleepy kitty may be, well, faking it. They might look asleep but are actually just resting and waiting for you to come over.

Read more