After watching Is That Skunk? many people wonder if skunks really make good pets. While wild skunks are not suitable as pets, domesticated skunks, bred in captivity for over 60 years, are known to be docile and loving. However, keeping a domesticated skunk happy and healthy requires a significant commitment, starting with acquiring one in the first place. It's vital to understand their unique dietary needs.
Legality of Owning a Pet Skunk
Currently, owning domesticated skunks is legal in only 17 states: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The Unique Needs of Domesticated Skunks
The most notable difference between wild and domestic skunks is the absence of scent glands. Domesticated skunks are descented between two and five weeks of age, rendering them “unarmed.” This procedure, while relatively simple, raises ethical questions about its humaneness.
If a pet skunk escapes or is let out of the house, it faces significant dangers. Skunks can travel several miles daily, and unlike cats and dogs, domesticated skunks lack the homing instincts to find their way back. Furthermore, only wild skunks learn the necessary foraging and hunting skills. Without scent glands, domesticated skunks are defenseless against predators. However, like their wild counterparts, their biggest threat remains cars.
Despite the myth of wild skunks having a high rate of rabies, unvaccinated domestic cats and dogs are more likely to contract the virus. This is because most creatures, including rabid animals, tend to avoid skunks and their spray.
Read also: Omnivorous Skunk
Understanding the Skunk's Natural Diet
Skunks are demanding eaters with a naturally eclectic diet. Wild skunks consume a variety of foods, including insects, snakes, fruits, and vegetables. Some also develop a taste for garbage.
A pet skunk’s diet should consist of lean protein (chicken or fish), vegetables, some fruits, and cooked grains-all fresh. Skunks in the wild are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Pet skunks can be trained to be active during the day and sleep at night. When awake, skunks need plenty of love and attention. They are playful animals that require stimulation. If left alone all day, they can become mischievous and destructive. All skunks have long claws used for digging up worms, insects, and grubs. Pet skunks will use their claws to open doors, cabinets, drawers, and even refrigerators. Therefore, the house must be “skunk-proofed” to limit their access.
As seen in Is That Skunk? some skunk owners are unable to care for their pets and end up abandoning them. Domesticated skunks can be rewarding pets, but they require specialized care.
Crafting a Balanced Diet for Your Pet Skunk
A balanced, low-fat diet is crucial for skunks. Monitor your skunk’s weight and adjust food quantities accordingly. You can adjust their daily diet by increasing morning and evening meals and reducing others as necessary. If your skunk feels too thin, you should be able to easily feel the tail bones.
A varied diet is beneficial. Consider feeding a range of foods, changing the selection each day.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Foods to Include:
- Fruits: Whole pear, in moderation.
- Vegetables: Mixed veggies, thawed, along with supplements as needed.
- Proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs (shells are a good source of calcium).
- Grains: Cooked grains.
- Oils: Extra virgin olive oil.
- Other: Some skunks may benefit from no-grain dog food.
Foods to Avoid:
- Cat Food and Dog Food: These are not tailored to a low-energy animal's dietary needs.
The Importance of a Natural Diet
Skunks thrive on a natural diet similar to what they would eat in the wild. This includes a mixture of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains, with a small amount of dairy. Prioritize vegetables over sugary fruits.
Specific Food Recommendations and Considerations
Nuts
Shelled nuts like almonds and walnuts are acceptable, but avoid roasted and salted nuts.
Eggs
Eggshells are a good source of calcium.
High-Fat and High-Protein Foods
Avoid these, as they can lead to obesity.
Supplements
Avoid excessive calcium, taurine, or other supplements unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Preparation
Serve food at room temperature. Skunks can get bored with the same foods.
Vegetables
While skunks eat most vegetables, there can be exceptions, like asparagus. Skunks may not properly digest some prepared foods.
Minerals
Additional minerals can support bone growth, avoiding the need to grind tablets.
Water Intake
Skunks may not drink much water, obtaining it from vegetables and cooked grains.
Feeding Habits and Weight Management
Skunks should stop searching for food about 20 to 30 minutes after finishing their meal. They eat quickly, often finishing in about five minutes. Domesticated skunks exercise less than their wild counterparts. Maintaining a balanced weight is crucial for their health and well-being.
Wintertime is often best for helping an overweight skunk lose weight. You can skip one meal out of five or not feed them one day a week, but never let your skunk go without eating. Monitor their weight weekly, watching for excessive weight loss or gain. Once they reach adulthood (around 6-8 weeks), their weight should not change much throughout the year.
Adjust the quantity (not the total amount of food) given each day to maintain a proper balance in blood chemistry, and fat contents.
Addressing Nutritional Imbalances
Some skunk owners feed Mazuri Omnivore A diet, along with vegetables and fruits. Nutritional imbalances can manifest as excessive shedding (seasonal). This can be addressed by adding zinc, Biotin, and/or Vitamin E to the diet.
Foods to Avoid
Some skunks have gotten sick or died from eating grapes or raisins, which can be toxic to dogs.
Supplementing the Diet
Additional minerals can easily supplement a skunk's diet. These can be obtained from a health food store or the natural foods section of your grocery store.
Modified Diet Recipe
This mixture can be used in place of the meat and grains recommended above. Modified from Dr. Blass's recipe, it includes:
- 1 lb ground beef or chicken
- ½ cup cooked brown rice, oatmeal, or barley
- 2 tbsp bone meal
- 1 tsp kelp powder (Optional)
- 500 I.U. Vitamin D (1/2 of 1000 I.U. capsule)
- 100 I.U. Vitamin E
- 1000 mg Taurine
- 500 mg L-carnitine
Instructions:
- Boil the meat until it is no longer pink. Drain/strain and set the meat aside to cool.
- Cook the grain(s). Use four cups of water for the amount of grain used.
- Combine all dry ingredients EXCEPT the taurine and L-carnitine in a small bowl. Add these dry ingredients to the cooked meat and mix well.
- When the grain is cooked, remove from heat. Add the grain and egg mixture into the meat and mix thoroughly.
- Add the taurine and L-carnitine. Mix well.
- Portion the mixture into small plastic (sandwich) bags, placing about five to seven tbsp. in each bag.