Keeping Pet Skunks
By Mark Gordon Brown, 1st Jul 2010 | Follow this author
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Skunks are not commonly kept as pets in most areas, but in areas where they are allowed as exotic pets they are becoming popular and trendy. Obviously the main concern is smell, but skunks can be de-scented and tame ones are not likely to spray anyhow. There are many things to consider if you are interested in becoming a skunk owner.
- Behavior Considerations
- Getting a Pet Skunk
- Feeding a Pet Skunk
- General Care for Pet Skunks
- Other Points and Links
Behavior Considerations
Skunks behavior is between that of a ferret and cat, leaning a bit more to the ferret side. They are intelligent, mischievous, and are normally awake in the morning and evening. They are curious with a great sense of smell and will follow their noses wherever it takes them (even trying to dig up old smells in carpets).
Pet Skunks can be trained to use a litter box, and if caged should have one in the corner. When allowed loose in the house they should have a litter box too. They may decide to use an other area for their waste, so the owner needs to move the litter box to that spot.
They become tame only through regular handling, so a person with very little time to devote to their pet should not consider getting a skunk.
Skunks are near sighted, which is why they often get hit by cars.
Before you get a pet Skunk you need to decide if you are okay with a pet that is mostly active in the early morning, evening, and at night. If you would not want a pet cat, you probably will not enjoy a pet skunk.
Getting a Pet Skunk
As with all pets, skunks should ideally be purchased directly from a breeder, and never at a pet store. Breeders can be found through visiting exotic pet shows and exhibitions. Some will advertise in magazines devoted to exotic pets, or even in cat and dog magazines. Another source for finding skunk breeders is by contacting veterinarians in the area as they may know who breeds them. Occasionally vets may even come involved with a litter of kits when somebody runs over the mother animal.
On occasion pet skunks are surrendered to the local animal shelter or humane society, so an interested person can check there, or leave their name on a waiting list. Some fur farms sell off excess animals but these will not be tame at the time of purchase.
Never accept a kit (baby skunk) that is under 6 weeks of age, 8 is preferred. Be sure they are eating on their own and look healthy.
The process of picking a young skunk is no different than selecting a kitten or pup. The eyes should be clear, and the fur should be clean. The facilities should be decent and you should be allowed to meet the parent animals. They should be vaccinated and dewormed prior to the sale.
Be sure skunks are legal where you live prior to searching for one. This also means that if you rent your home you have landlord permission.
Do not get a skunk if you own a pet, such as a dog, that has a high prey drive.
Feeding a Pet Skunk
Very little research has been done on proper diets for skunks. You may be able to find prepared foods for them, but most owners simply have to come up with their own food. If a proper skunk diet is not available you may make due with cat or ferret food. Some people have noted that skunks feed cat or ferret food are more likely to become obese, so many skunk owners feed top quality dog food and add a taurine supplement as dog food does not contain taurine which skunks do need. Read more on skunk feeding here.
Regardless of what kind of kibble you feed (be it skunk food, cat food, ferret food, or dog food) the pet should have some fresh food too. They love eggs (boiled are less messy), cheese, and vegetables (do not feed them asparagus). Vegetables should be 30 - 40 % of their diet.
Pet Skunks should be given access to fresh water, ideally from a heavy bowl they cannot tip.
General Care for Pet Skunks
Many people keep their skunks caged for the majority of the day and allow it out to play. If litter trained, it can be out of the cage all the time. The minimum cage space for a skunk is the same as a ferret, they need large cages with multiple levels. This is because they are intelligent and will be stressed if kept in a smaller cage as many rabbits and guinea pigs are. I would not even suggest keeping a pet skunk unless you can afford 4 hours a day to let it out of the cage.
They should not be taken outside unless harness trained as they will try to look for a way out of the yard due to their curious nature, and unlike cats and dogs, do not try to find their way home. Their poor vision can also be a problem when outside.
A pet skunk needs regular veterinarian care. Males can be neutered at 4 months of age, and females can be spayed at 6 months of age. They should be de-scented, vaccinated, and dewormed, and your vet can discuss further when these can be done. Be sure to find a vet that is familiar with caring for skunks.
Skunks need their claws to pick up their food, so should never be declawed. In some areas, such as the UK, de-scenting skunks is illegal, but if handled gently this is not a problem.
Other Points and Links
When checking into the legality of keeping skunks as pets in your area you should note there are different types of skunks, some may be legal, others may not.
It is generally never legal to catch a wild skunk and keep it as a pet.
Skunks do not tolerate rough handling or discipline and may become aggressive when treated poorly.
Alternative pets would be Ferrets, Cats, or Hedgehogs.
Information on Skunks in General.
Skunk Blog
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Comments
2nd Jul 2010 (#)
Great info
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3rd Jul 2010 (#)
Wow... that was a very good read.
I am following you and hope you will follow me too.
Thanks!
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5th Jul 2010 (#)
very nice article
I think it would be cool having a skunk although I'm not sure how social they would be
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8th Sep 2010 (#)
I have 3 skunks, they are great pets. But the one point in this article that is extremely wrong, is that it states to feed cat or ferret food! Both these foods are way to high in protein and will cause health problems. It is best to feed a natural, grain free dog food along with veggies, fruit and cottage cheese. I use Taste of the wild.
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15th Dec 2010 (#)
Thanks kat. Other keepers say different, that they are true carnivores like cats, however your point is good.
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10th Feb 2011 (#)
Actually, skunks are omnivores, not carnivores. That's not an opinion.
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