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Striped Skunk
(Mephitis mephitis)

Interview with Michelle Pickerin

Positives of skunks as pets:
Skunks are a happyb medium between a dog and a cat, only with much more responsibility. Some are playful, and enjoy playing games of chase with you as well as playing with toys, while others are more quiet and subdued. They would rather be curled up in your lap for a nice warm nap! There is never a dull moment with a skunk in the house!

Negatives of skunks as pets
Skunk ownership is a tremendous responsibility. Not all states allow skunk ownership, and those that do have many restrictions, as well as permit requirements. Please check with your local government BEFORE getting a pet skunk. It is also important to know that there is not an approved rabies vaccination in the United States. You must be very cautious when it comes to having your skunk around people. A skunk that has bitten someone will be put down in order to check it’s brain tissue for rabies. There is no quarrentine for skunks, even those that have had a cat or dog rabies vaccination. You must also be able to ensure your pet proper veterinary care, and diet requirements. Your skunk must also be spayed or by four months of age.

Do they have scent glands or an offensive smell?
Skunks are born with scent glands located inside their rectum. These are removed at approximately three weeks of age, usually by the breeder. A baby skunk from the pet store has been descented, but NOT spayed or neutered. Skunks that have been spayed or neutered do not have any offensive smell or odor.

What is their average lifespan?
A domestic skunk’s lifespan can range from 8-18years or longer.

Do they enjoy interaction?
Most skunks enjoy interaction. It is important to get your skunk from a reputable breeder. It will be properly socialized and eager to play with you!

What is their general personality, disposition, and attitude?
Skunks vary in personality as much as people do. Some are playful and mischevious, while some are quiet and curious.

How destructive are they for an average household?
Skunks can be destructive to your home. They have been known to tear up houseplants and carpet, eat baseboards and get into everything! Some are also very good climbers, so nothing is safe from a skunk!

Are there any problems associated with their claws?
Skunks claws are long and similar to that of a bear. Even when trimmed to proper length, they are relatively long. They are used for foraging for roots and bugs in the wild. A skunk should NOT be declawed! Playing with your baby’s feet and nails while they are young will help them accept nail trimming as they grow. It will save you a nasty bite during nail trimming later on!

How messy are their droppings?
A skunks droppings are similiar to those of a cat (not pellet-like). They should be firm, not loose or runny. They may also show some color depending on their diet.

Can they be litter box trained?
A skunk can be litter or paper trained. Unlike a cat, your skunk will pick it’s corner, not you! Place a pan in the corner your skunk has chosen. Some skunks prefer a covered pan, while others prefer a flat one with newspaper. Having more than one pan in your home will also cut back on accidents.

How are they with other pets, larger and smaller?
Skunks can get along well with other pets. Mine get along well with my dogs and ferrets, however they are supervised when around eachother. Remember that accidents do happen! A skunk can kill a small animal, and I keep them away from my hamsters and iguanas. (The food chain is not allowed to be demonstrated in the house!) I also had to find homes for my hedgehog and my sugargliders. The skunks were much too interested in them, and all those animals together, though caged, while I was asleep , made me nervous! One of my skunks would climb to the top of the glider’s cage and just sit and watch them. The gliders would crab all night, and became very nervous little animals.

What size cage do they need?
Skunks should not be caged and have full run of your home, as a cat or a dog. I provide mine with a covered cat pan as a “den” and placed it in a quiet area in my house. Some prefer to sleep under or in your bed, behind the couch, in a closet or other cozy place. When you first bring your skunk home, introduce him to one room of your home at a time, over the course of a week or two. This will keep him from getting overwhelmed with his new surroundings. A baby gate with vertical bars can also keep your skunk confined to a portion of your home when necessary.

What do you feed them?
There are currently two “approved” skunk diets recommended by skunk owners. One is from the American Domestic Skunk Association, which is based on raw turkey, a mixture of vitamins and minerals, and vegetables. The other is from Skunks as Pets, which is based on a small amount of dog food per day, and vegetables. Although there is a great deal of animosity and differences between these groups, you must do what is right for you and your skunk. Speak with the breeder you purchase your skunk from and ask what she/he feeds their skunks. Also speak with other skunk owners and compare the two diets. One important thing to remember is to NEVER feed a skunk cat food! A skunk needs a low fat diet to prevent liver problems and obesity, as well as a host of other health problems.

At what age would it be best to get one?
It is best to get a skunk at approximately 4 weeks of age.

What vaccinations/vet care do they require?
As stated earlier, there is no legal rabies vaccination for skunks. Even if you receive a vaccination meant for a dog or cat, (Never for a ferret!) your skunk will not be safe if he bites someone! Speak with your vet about recommended vaccines for your skunk.

Other Consideration for owners of skunks?
A skunk owner must be prepared for the responsibility that comes with skunk ownership. Can you provide a safe, loving home for a skunk? Skunks cannot be disciplined, so will you be able to work around problems that may arise? Are you willing to provide a nutritious diet? Clean litter boxes and accidents? Provide veterinary care? And most important, are you ready to be owned by a skunk?

About the author?
I live in South Florida with my husband and daughter. Long-time animal lovers and believers in raising children to love animals and nature, we are owned by a Basset-beagle mix, Red Nosed Pit Bull, German Shorthaired Pointer, two Columbian Iguanas, four Ferrets, numerous Russian Dwarf Hamsters, and two skunks. We have also owned sugar gliders, guinea pigs, a hedgehog, a rabbit, and a scorpion, all of whom are missed dearly. We encourage people interested in getting a pet to research the animal BEFORE it is purchased, and to ask yourself the most important question, Are YOU ready to be owned by an animal?

Article By Wyndal T. Arnold

We have our own skunk and I will tell you the story. But before I continue, let me warn you skunks are not for everyone. If you haven't been able to find a breeder, they may not be legal in that state. Also, skunks are not like cats in every sense. But if you match with an animal, it can be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.

Skunks can be one person creatures. And if you do not get a baby, you may be sorry. Our skunk came to us. His mother and two siblings were killed on the road in front of our home here in Indiana. We went through hell trying to get a permit to keep it. A vet has to O.K them here in Indiana before you can get a permit, and a vet will not see the animal unless you have a permit. Catch 22. Lucky for us, we know someone in the right place. But after we took in the little guy, HE choose my wife as his owner. He was about dehydrated when he came here and was looking for water. Our washing machine dumps into our corn field and that was what he was smelling. It was a dry time and there wasn't much water around. I was coming in from the garden when I saw the skunk and did what any normal person would do. I got the gun and was going to scare him off. I didn't have my glasses on, so I thought he was full grown. After I shot in the air, he turned and came right for me. Then my boys brought me my glasses. I saw he was young and thought I would catch him in a bucket and then relocate him. After we got him in the bucket and he didn't spray, we talked about how small he was. He could fit in your hand. Fifteen minutes later we were feeding out of our hand without gloves on. They are not afraid even in the wild as babies. We washed him up and the rest is history. If we had turned him loose, he would have died. He was that young. Skunks live about 2 years in the wild, but can live up to 20 years as pets. Many people will advise you not to take a baby from the wild. But that is because of the rabies thing. Actually most skunks do not have rabies. But try to tell someone in government that. Even if you get a skunk, if it scratches or bites someone, the state health department will take your skunk and kill it, cut off its head and check its brain tissue for rabies. There is no vaccine approved for skunks in the U.S. But there is one in Canada. Go to http://www.aspenskunk.org/ to find out how others have had skunks lost to our crazy laws. It is a good resource. There is also a national contest where you can enter your skunk in a contest. But be very careful about where you take your pet. We show our skunk at the local school but are very careful about letting people pet him.

You can take them out of the wild in some places. But most will advise against it. I plan to capture a family this spring. They are bothering a friend and he will kill them if I don't. Besides, I am hoping to get one for me, my wife's skunk doesn't care for me that much. But he is a joy to hold. ALWAYS make sure his shots are up to date. We have to get our license renewed every year, if we are late with his shots, the DNR will terminate our pet.

Skunks litter train easy and if you have a male, better get him neutered. Males get horny and are rather aggressive when they mate. You can have him latch on to your leg and chew on you pretty good. Also, be very careful not to over feed them. We didn't at first, and he got so fat he could hardly walk. A skunk will literally eat themselves to death. If you feed them with a constant feeder like a rabbit, you might as well shoot it.

When they play, it is always on their terms. And when they want to sleep they can get nasty. You can give them free run of the house, but they are strong and may clean out your pots and pans from the cupboard. Also, skunks are about blind. Very bad eye sight. They startle easy and yet they have such a good nose they can smell the color of paint with the lights out. If you put a small piece of cheese just out of reach, they will circle it for hours because they can smell it, but can't get to it. It is funny to watch. My wife hates it when I tease Victor (our skunk). But oh well, he doesn't like me anyway.

He knows I hate him getting under my desk. Do guess where his favorite spot is? ..Yep, under the desk. So for Christmas this year, I bought him a child's gate to keep him out of my office. The little stinker knew exactly why I got it for him and for three days he would stomp at me every time I was near him. And he is a sneaky little cuss. If I forget to put it up, he will real careful like act as if he is not noticed, but when he gets the change to run under the desk, he's there.

Also, the most frequently asked question you will get will be, is he de-musked (the correct term), de-skunked, de-bagged or something else that is stupid? Of course you had better because if you catch him in a sour mood, it will happen. The younger they are, the less they know how to control it.

But let me tell you the best reason to own one. They are the most loving they can be with their owner. My wife has multiple sclerosis and this skunk is better for her than any medicine. He will crawl up in her lap and cuddle and seems to know when she needs it. She can be washing the dishes, and if he thinks she hasn't paid him enough attention, he will grab her pants leg and pull and tug until she says something to him. Then he will bow up like skunks do, fluff his tail out (which is the most beautiful a skunk can be) and stomp his feet. Then he will dance for her. Until she sits down so he can crawl up on her lap. It is great to watch.

It is best to find a breeder. Skunks come in all colors and designs. I prefer the black and white myself. What ever you do, please check with your states law concerning skunks. It will save allot of heart ache.

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