Hydrogen peroxide will bleach a dog's coat during skunking.

• A. False
• B. It won't affect the coat
• C. It won't bleach the coat
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that can break down pigments in hair, causing color lightening or bleaching. In the common skunk-odor treatment, a hydrogen peroxide solution is used to neutralize the odor along with other ingredients. While the primary goal is odor removal, the peroxide can also oxidize the hair’s pigment, especially in lighter or white fur, leading to some degree of bleaching. The extent depends on the concentration, exposure time, and how long the solution stays on the coat. So, it’s true that hydrogen peroxide can bleach a dog’s coat during skunking.