- Give your skunk any fresh and/or frozen vegetables it will eat
- Boneless poultry and fish are good sources of low fat protein; an all natural dog food can also be used to add protein but be careful with processed pet foods; ...
- Here is a list of Canadian pet foods. Canada is stricter in regulating what goes into their pet foods than the US.
- Horizon Pet Food
- Petcurean Pet Food
- Orijen Pet Food
- Eggs, cheese, yogurt, goats milk and other dairy products add calcium (not whole milk or high fat cheeses)
- Virgin olive oil, flax seed oil, coconut oil and/or Halo Best Coat can be added to keep the skin and fur soft and has added health benefits
- Cereal, whole grain breads, cooked grains, and other high fiber foods should be used
- Nuts are a good source of essential fats (be careful of allergic reactions), processed almonds are best
- Supplement the diet with calcium and taurine
- A few drops of organic apple cider vinegar can be added to aid digestion
- Use fruits only two or three times each week, more often if your skunk suffers from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
What do you feed a baby skunk?
After about 3 months of feeding the baby skunk, it should be able to eat on its own. By this time, you may start feeding it with fatty fish, eggs, carrots, sea foods, vegetable oil, yoghurt, cottage cheese, vanilla wafer, chopped mushrooms, peas, corn, squash, nuts, cod liver oil and so on.
What supplements do skunks need?
Skunks are known to have very big appetites and the same applies to the young ones, therefore you have to ensure that they feed don’t overfeed or over feed. The other supplements that you can add to its diet include; calcium, vitamin D and Taurine.
What do skunks eat in the morning?
A basic morning meal for your adult pet skunk can consist of: ¼ to ½ cup thawed frozen vegetables (no asparagus!) Kits (baby skunks) less than four months old need to eat four times a day (like puppies do). They only need about 3 tablespoons worth of food per meal.
What is the best dog food for skunks?
If you choose to feed your skunk dog food, use a high quality natural blend dry food. The Innova brand can be found in many pet stores. In order to get the proper nutrition you would need to feed the entire carcus of an animal. Since most of us do not do that then the next best thing would be to feed a type of no-grain dog food.
What do I feed an abandoned baby skunk?
Feed the baby skunk esbilac powder, mix only enough for 24hrs and keep it refrigerated. Esbilac is a puppy milk replacer, which you should be able to purchase at a vet or pet store. Cow's milk, human baby formulas, and most pet products (except Esbilac) are not suitable and will likely cause death.
What do young skunks like to eat?
In the wild, infant skunks will eat a variety of foods and whatever they can catch. Common forage foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, leaves, and grains. They will also hunt for eggs and small mammals like mice, rats, ground squirrels, rabbits, snakes, and chipmunks.
Can you raise a baby skunk?
But while they may look similar to fluffy, little, black and white kittens it doesn't mean that they'll behave like or are simply striped cats. Wild baby skunks are still wild animals and just because someone brings one into their home doesn't automatically make it safe, tame, or legal, even if it is an orphan.
What do you do if you find a baby skunk?
If you wait about three hours and still see no sign of mom, approach the babies and see if she comes running. If she does, slowly step away— she's unlikely to spray you if you leave her alone. If there's still no sign of her, it's time to call a permitted skunk rehabilitator.
What should you not feed a skunk?
What NOT to feed a SkunkNO leaf or iceberg lettuce.NO cat food (dry or canned) Cat food is high in fat and protein and should only be used as a last resort if a skunk won't eat anything else.NO sweets.NO chocolate.NO fatty foods.NO fried foods.NO lunch meat (salami, bologna, etc.)NO hot-dogs.More items...
What can I feed a wild skunk?
The diet of skunks in the wild consists of whole prey, insects, eggs and some fruit and vegetable matter. Skunks in zoos have been fed a variety of diets with success. We recommend a diet of 75% formulated diet (zoo omnivore, insectivore and low-fat high quality dog food) and 25% a variety of vegetables and fruits.
What do 5 week old skunks eat?
Slowly introduce your skunk to the rest of your home. If you have any other pets, never leave them alone until you are sure your baby will not be killed. Feeding - 5 weeks old - If the teeth are not well established, you can bottle feed your baby a mixture of goat milk diluted with water and dry baby cereal.
Can baby skunks survive without Mom?
Any time that you find baby skunks wandering around alone, with no parent anywhere to be seen, there is reason for concern. Unless the babies are super-tiny, eyes-closed babies, Mom shouldn't be too far away from them. If you can approach baby skunks without Mom running you off pretty quickly, there is a problem.
How much do I feed a baby skunk?
30-35g -nearly naked -often showing black & white pattern -eyes & ears are sealed -can 2-2.5cc Formula 5-6 times per day. -stimulate genital area before and after feeding to induce elimination. -use a q-tip or the tip of your finger dipped in warm water.
How do you save a baby skunk?
Put the injured baby skunk in a cardboard box in a dark, quiet place. Put a heat source like a rice sock or warm water bottle in the box with them. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away.
How old does a skunk have to be to survive on its own?
After they are weaned, they leave the den and at to 10 to 12 months old they are ready to have their own kits. Skunks have very short lives and often live only around three years.
How old does a baby skunk have to be to spray?
However, because of their young age, baby skunk sprays will not be very accurate. Skunk babies only learn how to target their threat and spray with great accuracy until they are about 3 or 4 months old. Whether baby skunks can spray or not, they are wildlife and should be left alone unless they are injured.
What veggies do skunks like?
They are especially fond of fruits like berries, grapes, apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, frozen fruits, and many others they might find on fruit farms. Skunks can also eat certain vegetables like carrots, beets, corn cob, peas, beans, cabbage, and many others.
Do skunks like peanut butter?
Although skunks are known to eat opportunistically, they are most attracted to oily, meat-based baits like fish and chicken. They have a strong sense of smell, so anything particularly smelly works best - even peanut butter has been proven to lure in skunks.
What time do skunks come out to eat?
nightSkunk Feeding Habits Skunks conduct all of their business when it's dark outside, as they are nocturnal creatures, according to the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development division. Because they are nocturnal, they feed at night.
Do skunks like fruit?
Skunks that live in the wild will eat a variety of berries and your pet skunk can also enjoy this type of fruit. Items such as black berries, strawberries. blueberries and raspberries can all be purchased at your local grocery story or at fruit stands. Always use fresh or frozen fruit and nothing processed.
Making Sure The Kits Are Orphaned
As humans, we like to swoop in and save helpless baby animals without giving it much thought. But we encourage you to take a step back from the situation. We need to make sure that these babies are actually orphaned and that the mother isn’t coming back for them. So keep an eye out on the baby.
Checking The Laws
Now that the orphaned skunks are inside and safe, you will need to check your local laws. Currently, it’s only legal to keep skunks in 17 states. And if you have too much contact with the kits, it’s nearly impossible to release them back into the wild. So it might be best to contact your local wildlife agency to care for the skunks.
Preparing A Home For Them
One of the first things you will need to do is figure out where to put your baby skunk. A warm dark place is best for them with old towels for bedding. Some people prefer to use an old cardboard box, but it won’t be long until they outgrow this.
The First 24 Hours
Now that your skunk kits are inside and safe, the most important thing to do is warm them up. Most people want to jump right into feeding and giving animals water. But this could cause more harm than good. The reason for this is that it takes a lot of energy to digest food.
Estimating The Age & How Much To Feed
With your baby skunk rehydrating, it’s time to start guessing how old your baby kit is. To do this, you will need a scale and an excellent observation of the skunk. Here is what to look for when guessing how old your kits are and how much to feed them. You can also use this as a guide to keeping up with your skunk’s growth and development.
How To Feed A Baby Skunk
Now that you know how old your skunk is and what they need to eat, you might be wondering how to feed it. Most people want to jump right in and buy bottles used to nurse kittens or puppies. But you don’t want to do this. Skunks are very aggressive eaters, and if you feed them with a bottle, they will engorge themselves.
The Best Formula
What to feed orphaned baby skunks wouldn’t be complete without talking about the best formula to buy. It’s essential to find a formula that will have everything skunks need. The best formula on the market is Esbilac for puppies.
What do skunks eat?
It would be like raising a child on a diet of only hamburgers, fried chicken, and water. They wouldn't be too healthy for too long. Skunks need a mix of fruits, vegetable matter, carbohydrates, and protein like we do. And don't be taken in by those begging faces; skunks will eat even when they are full.
How much food should a skunk eat?
They only need about 3 tablespoons worth of food per meal.
How to keep a skunk as a pet?
First, make sure you get a skunk from a skunk breeder—do not just pull one out of the wilderness. Second, make sure you get them spayed and neutered and descented, as this will make it much easier for you to keep one as a pet. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge.
How long do skunks live?
So long as you feed your skunk a healthy diet and keep them active, they can live up to ten years. However, like humans, they are susceptible to becoming obese along with all of the complications associated with having too much body fat. That's why it's important to know what you should and shouldn't feed your skunk.
What to feed a sailor?
And their evening meal can be: 1 ½ to ¾ cup fresh or cooked veggies 2 2 tablespoons of cooked chicken or turkey 3 1 to 2 teaspoons of nuts, cooked grains, or bread 4 1 teaspoon of yogurt
Can skunks eat anything?
Pet skunks will eat just about anything. Since they are still relatively new in the pet world, how to best feed a skunk is still the subject of some debate and probably will be as long as people care about keeping skunks happy and healthy.
Do skunks eat sugar?
Just like us, a skunk instinctively prefers high-calorie food that contains lots of fat and sugar. This is because, in the wild, you never know where your next meal is coming from, so you have to load up on as many calories as you can. But a pet skunk (much like the modern human) has lower energy requirements, and so it needs a varied diet in order ...
What do skunks eat?
These animals, like many large rodents, have feeding habits and special diet systems. Skunks are omnivores, so they will eat plant and animal material. Since they are slow moving animals, they cannot chase after their food, so they will feed on anything that is available.
Why do skunks have long claws?
Their long claws and strong feet allow them to easily dig for food. Skunks benefits from low fat foods that have low protein contents. Foods that have high counts of these will make the skunk fat and will also result in laziness and lethargy, which can shorten the lifespan of the animal.
Do skunks raid food?
Skunks are also known to raid a food that may have been stored by another rodent like a weasel . Skunks themselves are not food storers. They eat everything they find and do not being food back to their dens. Most skunks will be seen foraging for food on their own. It is rare to see multiple skunks in the same location.
Do skunks hunt at night?
They spend most of their time foraging and they will hunt at night when not sleeping. Most skunks will be highly drawn to grubs, which they can smell through the layers of soil. Skunks are great diggers, and will make holes in the ground to find grubs and other insects.
Do skunks hibernate?
Since skunks do not hibern ate, they have to be able to find food sources throughout the year, which can be difficult during winter months. However, these animals enjoy many types of food that is found in the wild and they will also eat human food if it is offered or can be found.
Can skunks harm property?
Though they can be destructive to gardens and have been known to damage property at times, they are rather harmless if left alone. If skunks do become threatened, they will warn their predators with stomping and noises before they emit a powerful and pungent spray.
Do skunks eat animals?
However, during the spring and summer, they tend to lean more towards animal materials since they are more common and easily avaiobale. In regards to preferred foods, skunks are not overly picky. They will eat the first thing they come upon, making it easy for them to sustain in the wild.
Why are baby skunks orphaned?
If you realize that they are all alone during this period, a good explanation for this is that they are orphaned because mothers are usually inseparable from their young ones. If the baby appears to be very weak, sickish and thin, you have to immediately help them out.
What does it mean when a skunk is starving?
A skunk that is noted during the day is usually mistaken to be rabid but if it is a baby, chances are that it is starving and looking for something to eat.
Can you feed baby skunks milk?
All these supplements can be obtained from relevant stores and you also have to ensure that you are guided through each one of them so that you can feed the babies with the required quantities. Never feed baby skunks with milk from cows, baby formulas and other pet products because they are likely to cause death!
Can you feed a baby esbilac?
You can also feed the baby using esbilac powder , you have to ensure that you only mix the necessary quantity, if the baby feeds and leaves behind some of it, you have to ensure that it is well refrigerated and kept away from any germs.
Can a skunk eat esbilac?
Esbilac is the perfect milk replacer and you can also acquire it in any pet or veterinary store. When feeding the baby, it is advisable to always use a syringe, you also have to be careful and ensure that you control the rate at which the baby sucks from the syringe. Skunks are known to have very big appetites and the same applies to ...
What do skunks eat?
Here’s the answer. Skunks are omnivorous which means they eat both meat and plant. With that in mind, they’ll eat insects, small rodents, as well as berries and nuts. Below is a more complete list of foods that skunks are known for eating.
How old are skunks when they emerge from the den?
The mother will go out foraging for food at night and return to her young in the den to nurse them. Once they reach about 2 months old the babies will emerge from the den and begin learning, with the mother’s guidance, how to forage and take care of themselves. By 4 months old they are small replicas of adult skunks.
Do skunks eat chicken eggs?
Birds – While skunks don’t typically eat flying birds unless they get the drop on them, they do have a reputation with chickens. See more on this below. Eggs – Skunks are notorious egg thieves and will nab any they can, especially chicken eggs if they get into the coop.
Can skunks eat cats?
No, skunks do not eat cats. A cat is much too big for a skunk to eat as a meal, however if defenseless kittens are left unattended it’s possible that a skunk may take one as a meal. So keep small kittens in your care safe indoors if you have seen skunks in or around your property.
Do skunks eat fish?
Snakes – Skunks will even hunt and eat venomous snakes since skunks are immune to snake venom. Fish – Skunk prefer hunting on land, but will eat fish on occasion. If you have a koi pond watch out for skunks.
Do skunks climb fences?
Because of their short stocky bodies they are excellent diggers and will typically gain entrance to the coops this way. Skunks aren’t known for being climbers so climbing fences likely isn’t their preferred way of entering the coop.
Do skunks attack cats?
If you have an indoor/outdoor cat that is regularly fed outdoors then be wary of skunks. If a skunk comes upon a dish of cat food and a cat is standing in its way, it may very well attack the cat by any means necessary to claim the meal. So do watch out for skunks when it comes to outdoor cats.
What do skunks eat?
What to Feed a Skunk 1 Give your skunk any fresh and/or frozen vegetables it will eat 2 Boneless poultry and fish are good sources of low fat protein; an all natural dog food can also be used to add protein but be careful with processed pet foods; some are very poor quality, contain unnecessary sugars or have a poor balance of nutrition. Some all natural dog foods are:#N#Primal Pet#N#Innova-Evo#N#Natures Variety Raw Dog Food#N#Natures Variety Raw Cat Food#N#Instinct Dog Food#N#Taste Of The Wild#N#Before Grain#N#Timber Wolf Organics#N#Fromm pet food (surf and turf) 3 Here is a list of Canadian pet foods. Canada is stricter in regulating what goes into their pet foods than the US. 4 Horizon Pet Food 5 Petcurean Pet Food 6 Orijen Pet Food 7 Eggs, cheese, yogurt, goats milk and other dairy products add calcium (not whole milk or high fat cheeses) 8 Virgin olive oil, flax seed oil, coconut oil and/or Halo Best Coat can be added to keep the skin and fur soft and has added health benefits 9 Cereal, whole grain breads, cooked grains, and other high fiber foods should be used 10 Nuts are a good source of essential fats (be careful of allergic reactions), processed almonds are best 11 Supplement the diet with calcium and taurine 12 A few drops of organic apple cider vinegar can be added to aid digestion 13 Use fruits only two or three times each week, more often if your skunk suffers from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
How to keep a skunk healthy?
The BEST way to keep your skunk healthy is to monitor it's weight regularly. Kits less than four months old should gain weight very rapidly, weigh them once each week, you should notice regular weight gain each week. Youngsters and young adults should be weighed once each month, watch for excessive weight loss or gain.
How long can a skunk eat?
Try to gauge the amount of food on how much the skunk can eat in three to five minutes. Pet skunks are likely to get better quality foods and have to exercise less to get it compared to their wild cousins. Skunks should not be given so much food that they will not finish all in one "sitting".
Why are my skunks yellow?
Some skunks may be yellow due to bad diet, stress, unclean living conditions, and/or parasite infestation. Skunks need extra taurine for muscle formation , vitamins, and calcium and other minerals for bone growth.
What to do if a skunk is searching for food?
If your skunk is searching for food excessively or "between meals" there is probably something missing from the diet, or not enough food is being given at each meal. If your skunk can sleep through mealtimes consider cutting the portions in half, and force the skunk to get up and exercise more.
Why can't a skunk stand on his legs?
Underweight, Lacking Calcium - Notice this skunk cannot stand on his legs and drags himself along. Malnutrition. Low fat foods and foods with low crude protein (15 to 25%) are better than high fat and high protein foods. Be careful with processed pet foods, some are very poor quality, contain unnecessary sugars, or have a poor balance of nutrition.
How long does it take for a skunk to stop eating?
One method to determine the correct amount of food is if the skunk is up searching for food within an hour of normal feeding time and is eating enough to stop searching for food about 20 to 30 minutes after finishing the food given.
What to feed a baby skunk?
By this time, you may start feeding it with fatty fish, eggs, carrots, sea foods, vegetable oil, yoghurt, cottage cheese, vanilla wafer, chopped mushrooms, peas, corn, squash, nuts, cod liver oil and so on.
What happens if a baby skunk is not fed?
If it is not properly fed, a baby skunk may suffer from kidney stone, bone spurs, poor development, bone calcification, and so on. Thus, it is important that these nutrients be given to the baby skunk in the right proportion; it must neither be too much or too small.
Can a baby skunk survive?
In fact, it is unlikely to survive if it does not receive adequate care, and so it is safer to hand a baby skunk find over to professional wildlife rehabilitators, rather than give it inexperienced care, albeit well-meaning.
Can you raise a baby skunk?
Baby skunks do look very cute and cuddly with their soft black and white fur, and some finders are tempted to raise them as pets. But raising and feeding a baby skunk is not so easy and straightforward. In actual fact, that kit is a tiny and fragile animal that needs a lot of care.
What is a baby skunk?
Baby skunks are adorable. Small and fluffy with black eyes and noses, they will waddle around your yard, investigating everything . People love to film them, and you can find almost as many “cute baby skunk videos” on the internet as you can videos of playful puppies and kittens.
How do you know if a mother skunk is in your yard?
The first clues that a mother skunk has chosen your yard might be mysterious small holes in the garden where she has been digging for insects and grubs. Skunk droppings are similar to those of a house cat but not as pointed, and they may contain pieces of berries, seeds, feathers or fur.
When are skunk babies born?
Almost all skunks have April or May birthdays, with a few late arrivals born in June. Mothers rest quietly with their four to six nearly naked infants, nursing them five to six times per day. The babies, called kits, are very delicate. They weigh only about 28 grams and require constant care. The babies sleep a lot, so you probably will not notice this unobtrusive little family.
When do skunks mate?
February and March are romantic times for adult skunks, too. Male skunks do not like to settle down and will mate with several females. If a particular female is not interested, she may spray him as a warning to back off. This is the time of year when you might first become aware of skunks on your property.
Should skunks be left alone?
If at all possible, it is best to leave skunk families alone during their most vulnerable time of year. There are situations, however, when a skunk’s family is just not compatible with yours. Conflicts with pets, fear of rabies and overwhelming smells are all perfectly valid reasons for these furry neighbours to be asked respectfully to move out.
