With its dark fur, trademark white stripe, and bushy tail, the skunk makes an incredibly adorable animal. In fact, some people love these creatures so much that they keep them as pets.
The question is, do skunks make great pets? Or are they better left alone?
Skunks can actually make good pets – but this depends on your knowledge of the animal’s unique needs and how much you’re willing to adjust your life around them. These mammals are extremely different from dogs and cats, so if you aren’t ready to commit to the changes necessary to make a skunk’s life comfortable, this creature isn’t for you.
In this article, we’ll be discussing what skunks are like as pets. Before we get to that, however, let’s get to know this enigmatic creature a little better!
What is a Skunk?
A skunk is a medium-sized mammal that, when fully grown, can reach a length of around 8 to 19 inches – plus a tail that’s between 5 and 15 inches. As mentioned above, it has black fur with a white stripe running from its snout to its tail.
The most recognizable characteristic of the skunk, however, is its ability to spray a foul-smelling liquid at its enemies. Released from the gland beneath the tail, this oily liquid contains thiol, an organic compound consisting of sulfur, which stinks like rotten eggs. This spray boasts a stench is so powerful that it can last for days and reach distances of half a mile. And while it can’t cause significant damage, it can sting the eyes or even cause temporary blindness. It can also make humans nauseous.
These mammals can be found in the U.S., South America, Canada, and Mexico.
As nocturnal creatures, skunks forage for food once the sun has gone down. And as omnivores, they eat meat and vegetation alike. Their favorite foods include insects, grubs, worms, and eggs, as well as small mammals, reptiles, and fish. When food is scarce, however, they aren’t above raiding garbage.
Is it Legal to Own a Skunk?
So you want to own a pet skunk? Check your region’s laws, first.
If you live in the U.S., know that only the following 17 states permit skunk ownership:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
These states require would-be owners to obtain special permits, documentation, and the like before they give you the go-ahead to keep a pet skunk. Take note that the acquisition of such requirements can be costly and time-consuming.
If you’re in the U.K., you’re in luck; you don’t need a permit to own a skunk in this country.
If you’re in Canada, know that skunk ownership is prohibited in all regions of the country save for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
Still keen on bringing a skunk home to be part of your family? Contact your local government agency to determine your area’s regulations regarding skunk ownership.
Wild Skunk vs. Domesticated Skunk: Which Would Make the Ideal Pet?
Let’s say you live in one of the places that permit skunk ownership. Should you catch a skunk from its natural habitat and keep it as a pet? Or should you obtain one from a breeder?
It’s a terrible idea to catch a wild skunk for the purposes of possessing it. This creature is unused to being around people and living anywhere other than its natural habitat. If you take one home, it’ll end up stressed, anxious, and afraid, which can encourage it to behave destructively and aggressively. See the skunk’s long, sharp claws? It’ll use those to destroy your home as it tries to dig its way out of its prison. It might even scratch or bite you.
And of course, because it’s always threatened by you, a wild skunk won’t hesitate to use its offensive-smelling spray on you, your loved ones, your friends, and your pets. There will be no end to the stench.
Worst of all, a wild skunk’s constant unhappiness will eventually affect its physical health, so don’t be surprised if it grows sickly or dies prematurely.
If you insist on becoming a skunk parent, get a domesticated one from a reputable breeder or rescue center. Domesticated skunks are de-scented when they’re between 3 and 8 weeks old, so they can no longer use their gland to spray you. Also, humans have been breeding these creatures in captivity for more than 60 years now, so they’ve grown friendly toward us and comfortable in our homes.
12 Things You Need to Know About Domesticated Skunks Before Getting One
Below, we’ve made a list of the unique characteristics of skunks that you should be mindful of if you’re planning on taking one home as your pet.
1. They’re affectionate
Because the domesticated skunk is used to human company, your pet can be a warm, affectionate companion. And like other sociable animals, it’ll need your constant love and attention. If left alone for extended periods, it can grow upset, which can lead to destructive and naughty behavior.
Hence, make sure to spend lots of quality time with your pet. Stroke its fur, speak to it in soothing tones, enjoy activities together, and play games with it. Your efforts will guarantee your pet stays happy and therefore healthy!
2. They require stimulation
Skunks are playful animals that require lots of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy.
We recommend enjoying games and other activities with your furry friend regularly. You can play with it inside your house and outside in your yard. You can even take it for walks. Just keep in mind that skunks are prone to overheating, so only bring it outside between the evening and early morning.
Toys can do wonders, as well, as these will entertain your skunk and nourish its mind. Dog toys should be sufficient for a pet skunk – just make sure to rotate them so it doesn’t get bored playing with the same thing over and over again. Also, variety is key.
3. They’re curious
Skunks are naturally curious animals and will enjoy exploring your property in search of food, items to play with, or other things they can use for their benefit.
However, this curiosity can also have undesirable consequences. An inquisitive skunk will use its long claws to open doors, drawers, cabinets, and even the fridge. And it won’t just make off with food. For example, it may steal soft items such as towels, blankets, and sweaters so that it can bring them to its den to make its sleeping area more comfortable.
For this reason, you must “skunk-proof” your home by limiting your pet’s access to certain areas and keeping valuable items behind storage you can lock.
4. They enjoy a varied diet
As omnivores, wild skunks enjoy a rather extensive menu. A domesticated skunk shouldn’t be any different. Therefore, make sure your pet eats a rich variety of foods so that it doesn’t grow bored from repeatedly consuming the same thing. More importantly, a varied diet will allow it to benefit from the various nutrients it needs to stay in excellent health.
Feed your skunk protein-rich animal and plant matter such as chicken, eggs, salmon, sweet potatoes, and yams, all of which can be bought from supermarkets. You should also offer it foods available at pet stores, such as worms, mice, and feeder insects.
For more information on the skunk diet, check out our article, “What Do Skunks Eat?”
5. They require ample space
Domesticated skunks enjoy having lots of space to explore. If you live in a small apartment or a house without a yard, your pet can therefore grow bored and unhappy, which can damage its mental and physical health. And never leave it in a tiny enclosure such as a cage for too long!
We recommend giving your skunk an entire room to call its own, where it can feel completely safe to eat, sleep, and play. However, you should also allow it to roam your entire property, including the backyard and the front lawn. This will keep it entertained and ensure it stays mentally sound, thus preventing it from acting out or growing poorer in health.
6. They can be trained
Skunks are smart enough to learn how to behave in specific ways.
You can train a skunk the same way you would train a dog: using treats and positive reinforcement. Just make sure to be patient – if your skunk fails to understand what you want it to do, keep trying or change your strategy!
With enough time and hard work, a skunk can learn to do various tricks. Best of all, you can even potty train it so that it learns how to use cat litter or the bathroom instead of peeing and pooping anywhere it pleases.
However, keep in mind that though skunks are intelligent, they aren’t like dogs, who’ve benefited from thousands of years of domestication. This means you’ll have to exert additional effort when training a skunk. Your furry friend won’t always obey your commands, either.
7. They need grooming
Domesticated skunks are similar to low-maintenance dogs when it comes to their grooming needs, which means they’re not too difficult to groom.
To help your exotic pet stay pretty, brush its fur once a week, making sure to untangle any knots you find. You’ll have to brush it more frequently during the spring and fall, however, as skunks shed during this time.
Brush your skunk’s teeth once every two weeks, and trim its nails and clean its ears periodically.
In addition, you should bathe it around once a month or whenever it gets filthy after spending time outdoors. Skunks enjoy swimming, so you can bathe your pet in a bathtub. Use dog shampoo or mild, tear-free shampoo for babies to ensure it stays comfortable during the process.
8. They’re nocturnal
Skunks are typically nocturnal, meaning they’re most active at night and asleep most of the day. If you’re going to keep one as a pet, you have two choices: either you adjust your sleeping patterns and become a night owl or train your skunk to sleep during the night.
9. They’re exceptional diggers
See the skunk’s long, sharp claws? They’re what allow these animals to be extremely capable diggers.
If you want to prevent your skunk from escaping, it’s therefore not enough to lock doors and windows. Your fence must also be built in such a way that your pet can’t dig its way under it.
And if you don’t want your exotic pet digging holes in the yard, make sure you provide it with the love, attention, and stimulation that it needs. Remember: an unhappy skunk is a mischievous, destructive skunk, so do everything you can to keep your pet happy!
10. They’re defenseless
The skunk’s most potent defense is its spray, which can immobilize enemies with its terrible odor, allowing the skunk to flee. Because domesticated skunks have had their glands removed, they have no way of defending themselves from predators.
Therefore, if your domesticated skunk ever escapes your property, it’s in extreme danger of getting killed by a predator. For this reason, you should never allow your pet to leave your home without close supervision.
11. They won’t be able to return home
An escaped skunk won’t be able to find its way back to your home. Unlike dogs and cats, domesticated skunks don’t have a homing instinct. In other words, it’ll get lost and stay lost, making it extremely likely that you’ll never see it again.
This is why it’s important to secure your home. So always lock your doors and windows, and install a sturdy fence with no weak spots that a skunk can take advantage of!
12. They can’t feed themselves
Here’s another reason to prevent your skunk from escaping: domesticated skunks lack the foraging and hunting skills their wilder counterparts enjoy. Thus, if your exotic animal leaves your home and gets lost in the wild, it’ll have no clue how to catch live prey or find the right plants to eat. Unless found, it can starve to death – if a predator doesn’t kill and consume it first, that is.
Conclusion
Wild skunks make terrible pets, as they don’t enjoy being with humans, whom they’d rather spray with their foul-smelling liquid than befriend. However, caring for domesticated skunks can be extremely rewarding – as long as you’re prepared to meet their unique needs.
If you’re planning on getting a domesticated skunk, make sure you familiarize yourself with its diet and take the necessary steps to prevent it from escaping. Groom your pet regularly, give it ample space to explore and roam, train it to sleep during the night and not to relieve itself wherever it wants, and limit its access to certain areas in your home.
Don’t forget to give your pet lots of love and plenty of physical and mental stimulation!