Here's a helpful homemade recipe if your pet should encounter one of these odoriferous animals. Wipe it generously onto your pet and you may need to repeat it. Warning: Dogs may vomit if allowed to lick the peroxide (not toxic). As the odor fades don't be surprised if you still smell them a bit when they get wet! You can rinse their eyes out with some saline available at the grocery store if needed.
1 quart hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon dish soap
Porcupines
The "porkys" are out there and your dog may encounter one. Some dogs just barely get "acquainted" before leaving in a hurry, others will try to bite and kill the porcupine. Obviously, the more brief the encounter the fewer quills. Quills are modified hairs with overlapping scales on them. This gives them the ability to act like a barbed hook and work their way deeper into tissue as well as resist being pulled out. They are hollow.
Some common myths about porcupine quills are these. #1 The porcupine cannot "throw" the quills-rather when alarmed the porky raises the quills and they will come out at a feather's touch. The animal will also slash its tail and the loose quills are deeply driven into skin or mucous membranes. #2 Cutting the quill will "release" it. Nope, this just makes a shorter quill to pull out. Don't do it!
It is the rare dog (or other critter) that will allow quills to be pulled out. They are VERY painful. Should your dog be so obliging a blindfold and pair of needle nosed pliers are useful. Be mindful to pull quickly and firmly and don't panic if they break. Quills in the nose and lips will cause a lot of bleeding once pulled. This is a good thing and although messy will stop on its own. Be mindful your dog may try to bite you! If there are quills inside the mouth it's best to call for help from your vet.
Most times it's better and safer AND kinder to call your veterinarian to arrange to have quills pulled under anesthesia. In an effort to prevent further incidents try keeping your dog inside from dusk until after sunup when porcupines are most active.