Pet Skunk Info
If you keep in mind that they are wild animals, skunks can make great pets! The
first thing folks want to know is if they stink or not. Actually, they usually
don't! Skunks that are obtained from a breeder have had their musk glands removed at
a very young age. However, de-scented skunks occasionally can produce a musky sort of
smell. A healthy de-scented skunk shouldn't smell at all normally though. Some folks
actually keep pet skunks that still have their musk glands and do not have any major
problems with them. This is certainly not recommended though!
Skunks are kind of
intelligent too and they are excellent at catching mice!
The best kind of pet skunk to have is the striped skunk rather than the spotted or
hog-nosed type.
Legality Of Keeping A Pet Skunk The legality of keeping a wild pet will vary in different areas. You need to find out what the laws are in your state. You're not allowed to de-scent a wild skunk. There are other laws as well pertaining to selling and breeding skunks. There may be County and City ordinances as well regarding skunk ownership. So please check your State and County laws prior to getting a skunk!
This may depend
totally on the laws in your state. More often than not, folks will need to buy from
a breeder or a pet store. If you are buying your skunk from a pet shop, it's good to
ask where the skunk came from and see if it's from a good breeder or not. The
followng are some ways to tell: Check to find out if there have been any reports of diseases recently at that breeder's farm, most of all you want to find out if there have been any reports of Rabies and Distemper. If there have been, go elsewhere! Make sure the breeder keeps his pens clean and that the animals appear to be healthy. If you don't know how to check this, there is a difference in the sounds coming from a healthy and content animal and an ill one or abused one. Theres also a difference in the odor of fresh stool and urine compared to and old feces and urine. |
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Ask what the breeder is feeding his skunks, if he feeds them cat food then go elsewhere as
well! A mature skunk who is being fed cat food is lucky to still be alive and
may breed unhealthy kits!
Also, look very closely at the skunks. See if they have thick, healthy-looking coats
and bright eyes. They should have their heads up and be very curious about their new
visitor. Their tails should be all fluffy and furry and moving with no impairment.
All of these things are signs of a healthy pet. Most good breeders won't allow the
public in to see the colony, so see if some kits can be brought out to you so you can see
them for yourself.
Attempt to communicate with the kits. You will know which kit is for you. He may
actually fall asleep in your arms or possibly climb up and cuddle your face. Baby
skunk kisses are so wonderful and if you should get them, this is the right skunk for
you! You will know which one is for you by his reactions!
Skunks and Kids
Mostly this depends on the child. If your children can be very gentle and listen to you about how they should treat your pet skunk then the skunk should be just fine with them. Children that are rather rambunctious however, or very young children, could be bitten by your skunk!
Lifespan
If your skunk is well-fed and taken care of and has regular veterinary visits then he can live for quite a long time. A skunk can live for as long as twenty years or more!
Behavior
Normally skunks are not destructive pets. They will not chew wires or claw your furniture. However, they may take some of your clothes, towels or laundry to make their own bed softer! You will need to have a sense of humor about this as it can be quite amusing!
Nails and Teeth
A skunks teeth are very sharp but their claws are not at all. In fact, there claws are meant for digging just as a dogs are, not tearing like a cat's. If you are always gentle with your skunk, and if he is fed a good diet and he has a nice home, after he learns about your hands when it is his feeding time, he rarely ever will bite. A baby skunk may nip you accidentally until he learns about hand-feeding.
Declawing
Never declaw a skunk! Their claws have the same use as a human's fingers. I am sure you cannot conceive of yourself trying to hold food without any fingers.
Food
A skunks diet should be very varied. Ninety-percent of it should be made up of various vegetables. The other ten-percent should be made up of low-fat foods such as yogurt and cottage cheese. He can eat a bit of fruit too, a dog biscuit once in a while, some baked or boiled chicken or turkey, again, baked or broiled fish, maybe some popcorn and some cereal that is high in fiber. Preservatives, like sulfuroxide and MSG are very dangerous and may be even fatal to a skunk! Never give any pet chocolate of course, it is poisonous to all animals. You shouldn't give your skunk any red meat or pork either. Never give him cat food as mentioned earlier.
Toilet-Training
A skunk is corner-trained by nature. Put a large enough litter box that is lined with either newspaper or litter that is not scented where he is toileting and he will go there naturally.
Spaying
If your skunk will be around other skunks or of you have two not of the same sex, always spay them. Don't listen to a pet store that says your skunk is already spayed, Find out first-hand from your vet at his first visit!
Please remember that skunks are not the animal for everyone! You will need to spend quite
a bit of your time with them and show them a lot of love and be very patient with them at
times.
Now, if you still want a pet skunk after considering all of the information about and all the work that a skunk entails then he can make the most wonderful pet you've ever had. They are humorous, very effectionate and as loveable as can be!
If you do get a pet skunk, the best of luck with him! Enjoy him!
skunk copyright from Warner Brothers
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