Can you destink a skunk

Though the myth persists that wild skunks have a disproportionately high rate of carrying rabies, unvaccinated domestic cats and dogs can contract the virus much more easily than skunks for the simple reason that most creatures, including rabid animals, avoid skunks and their stinky spray.

Most of the laws prohibiting skunk ownership were put in place because of the fear that skunks are prone to rabies. Skunks can be demanding eaters.

Their natural diet is quite eclectic. Wild skunks eat anything from insects and snakes to fruits and veggies. Some skunks also have a taste for garbage. Skunks have trouble digesting processed foods. In the wild, skunks are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Pet skunks can be trained to sleep during the night and be active during the day. Close friends and even family members can, and have, reported skunk bites, even knowing there is no way the pet skunk could have contracted rabies.

Pet skunks are raised in captivity so there is no chance of them being exposed to rabies. Finding a veterinarian that can properly take care of your domestic skunk should be a top priority. Do you have or know of a veterinarian in your area that is willing and is knowledgeable in caring for your skunk? In addition, their staff should be vaccinated against rabies and knowledgeable in how to handle a pet skunk to minimize the chance of them being bitten while treating the skunk. Having a vet that knows skunks is important, and can mean the difference between a happy, healthy skunk, and one that does not thrive as well.

It is best to have a knowledgeable vet and one that is willing to correspond with other qualified vets on acceptable methods of treatment. Skunk metabolism and needs differ from other pets they are accustomed to treating.

Trying to treat them as a dog, cat, or even a ferret, could be detrimental to your skunk's well-being and life. Make an appointment to meet the vet in person, ask how long they have been treating skunks and how many skunks are seen in their practice. Also ask the question "what is your policy if my skunk bites your or a staff member".

If the answer is the bite will be reported, leave immediately and find another vet. This could mean the difference between life and death for your skunk. Advance thought should be given about whether your home is the proper environment for a skunk.

All members of the household should be equally eager and excited about the new "baby". Special consideration should be given to the other pets in your home.

While a skunk will get along with most other pets, will those pets be willing to get along with a skunk? A skunk is a predatory animal and high prey drive animals such as a Jack Russell terrier should not be forced to live together with predators. By the same token, a skunk would not be a good choice if you have a pet such as a rabbit, hamster, etc. Be prepared to keep other these types of animals totally separated from your skunk.

Always supervise your pets when they are together and never leave them alone with each other. There have been instances where the most loving and trusted dogs attacked a skunk while the owner was away. We know of some skunks and ferrets that get along, but it is not recommended to let them free roam together unsupervised. Ferrets and skunks are natural enemies in the wild. Don't subject your new "baby" or other pets to injury or death because you didn't consider the entire makeup of your household.

Having a skunk in your household will require changes to your lifestyle and everyone should be willing and ready to make the changes required to raise a happy, healthy skunk. Do you have children in the home? Skunks need to be carefully supervised around children. Small children especially do not always understand how to properly handle animals.

The animal or the child could easily get hurt. Baby skunks have to be taught not to bite or your child could easily wind up with a bite. It is also possible that the child could react out of fear or pain and hurt the skunk if they get bitten.

It is probably a better idea to wait on getting a skunk until children are of an older age and better understand the handling and care of a skunk. They should also know enough to keep doors leading to the outside closed so the skunk doesn't escape and also to watch when going in and out of doors to make sure the skunk isn't following them and trying to get out.

Skunks require a lot of time and patience. Baby skunks require more. Time and attention are needed to mold them into bonded, friendly, loving pets. Babies need constant supervision, holding, cuddling and handling. A skunk left constantly alone and confined, not receiving proper attention on a daily basis can become aggressive and difficult to handle or want to sleep all day. A healthy skunk gets lots of exercise.

They are curious animals that like to be out exploring and to have the warm feeling of being part of a family. You should allow them to roam in as much of your house as possible.

An inactive skunk can become overweight. Obesity is the number one killer of skunks. An obese skunk becomes susceptible to a variety of health problems, including heart disease. Household routines may need to be adjusted to ensure your skunk gets the proper amount of exercise. The amount of quality time you spend with your skunk will reflect greatly on your skunk's personality.

Skunks can climb, especially baby skunks as they aren't as bottom heavy as adult skunks. Most skunks lose their desire to climb by the time they reach 1 year old but that does not mean they won't try if there is something out of reach that they really want, especially food.

You will need to put some things out of reach and possibly even out of sight or smell. Many skunks can climb onto couches, chairs, beds, over baby gates, and occasionally have been know to make it onto kitchen tables and even counters. Skunks can also flatten themselves enough to hide in places that you would never expect them to fit. In the wild, skunks are omnivores, eating nearly anything they can find.

As pets, young skunks should be fed several times a day while adult skunks can be fed in the morning and evening. Simply put out their meals in a bowl for them. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate timing and quantity of food for your particular animal. There are a few pre-packaged, formulated diets available for skunks. You're more likely to find these via online stores rather than your local pet shop.

The rest of the diet should primarily be fresh, cooked, or thawed frozen vegetables. Avoid canned vegetables with salt.

Nuts, cooked grains, a small amount of dog food, and plain yogurt can also be mixed into the diet. Fruit can be given as a treat but not every day. Avoid chocolate, as it is toxic to skunks. Also, try to offer your skunk foods high in calcium and taurine, or give it supplements that provide these.

Consult your vet for the proper dosage. Finally, skunks need access to a dish of fresh water at all times, though some don't drink a lot. They get much of the water they need from the vegetables in their diet.

Be aware that it can be difficult to find a veterinarian who specializes in skunks, so ensure that you will be able to see one before acquiring a pet skunk. Plan on at least an annual wellness exam for your animal. Skunks should be spayed or neutered at a young age, usually when they're 4 to 6 months old, to prevent aggression and potential health issues due to their hormones, such as cancer. Removing the scent glands may be done at the same time, though this is often done at an even younger age while the skunks are still with the breeder.

Skunks also need to be vaccinated against common dog and cat diseases, such as distemper, as well as dewormed. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend the correct course of vaccinations. Skunks are prone to a variety of health issues, including metabolic bone disease, diabetes, dental disease, nutritional deficiencies, cardiac disease and obesity. You should never take a skunk from the wild to keep as a pet. This is illegal in most places unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabber.

The majority of states ban skunks as pets. And most of the areas that allow pet skunks have stipulations, such as requiring permits or necessitating that the skunk was bred within the state.

Make sure you know all of your state and local laws before committing. Always acquire a pet skunk from a reputable breeder or rescue group. Skunks will usually use a corner and can be easily trained. If you watch the corner s they want to use and place litter pans in those places, they will learn to go in the pan, not on the floor.

Yann Lezjov Professional. How old does a skunk have to be to spray? Skunk Spraying Age. Quinidio Tarpa Explainer. What do skunks like to eat the most? For example, skunks favor insects, like grasshoppers, bees, beetles, beetle larvae, and crickets, and target these food sources during the spring and summer when the pests are most plentiful. During the winter months, skunks scavenge for fruits, nuts, garden plants, garbage, bird seed, and pet food.

Sibylle Chadwick Explainer. Do skunks mate for life? Life Cycle. Nabia Chekhladze Explainer. Do skunks bite? It is rare for a healthy skunk to bite a human. While a tame skunk with its scent glands removed may defend itself by biting , there are few recorded incidents.

The most prevalent cause of skunks biting humans is the rabies virus. How many skunks live together? Communal dens are common during the time of year that young are not being raised, and 6 to 20 skunks might share a den with one male at a time. Striped skunks suffer from poor vision at a distance of more than 2 or 3 feet.

Airam Matibe Pundit. What will eat a skunk? Coyotes, foxes, dogs, bobcats, mountain lions, badgers and big owls can all eat skunks but rarely do.