A basic morning meal for your adult pet skunk can consist of:
- ¼ to ½ cup thawed frozen vegetables (no asparagus!)
- tablespoon cooked chicken or turkey
- teaspoons of cooked rice, oats, or cereal
What is the best food for a skunk?
If you aren't using a pre-packaged skunk food, your skunk's diet should be 60 to 70 percent lean protein such as cooked chicken, eggs, fish, or feeder insects. The bulk of the rest of the diet should be fresh, cooked, or thawed frozen vegetables. Avoid canned vegetables due to the salt content.
What do baby skunks eat?
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. The food can be a combination of a third protein, a third carbohydrate, and a third vegetable. More skunk recipes can be found at Skunk Haven and at Owners Of Pet Skunks (OOPS).
Can a skunk live on dog food?
It used to be thought that skunks could live on dog or cat food, with the occasional people food table scraps as a treat. Although the skunk will like this "diet," it is far too full of fat and protein for a healthy diet. It would be like raising a child on a diet of only hamburgers, fried chicken, and water.
How much should I Feed my skunk?
It is recommend to feed 30% to 40% vegetables and 60 to 70% combination of meats and dairy products. See our sample daily diet plan. Note: If you feed just vegetables your skunk will lose bone mass. We recommend using fresh or frozen vegetables; frozen foods should be thawed before serving.
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 is a skunk's favorite meal?
Diet. Skunks prefer meat, but will also eat plants and vegetation. Insects, small animals, birds, eggs, poultry, worms, berries, grubs, and grasshoppers are also common food sources. Skunks are attracted to honey and also foods with a strong odor.
What kind of treats do skunks like?
Skunks eat small preySnakes.Cockroaches.Grasshoppers.Crickets.Beetles.Beetle larvae.Spiders – even the black widow spider.Fish.More items...
Do skunks eat lettuce?
Finally, leafy greens should make up a large portion of your skunk's vegetable intake (just skip the lettuce). In addition, you can also include corn, carrots, peas, squash, and other rooty vegetables, excluding asparagus. Skunks do not do well on a diet of processed foods.
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 fruits do skunks eat?
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.
How long do pet skunks live?
The average life span for a domestic skunk is 8 to 12 years or longer. If handled properly as babies, they are very affectionate pets. They can live with children if the children are responsible and old enough to know how to handle a pet properly and not leave doors open allowing the skunk to escape.
How often do skunks need to eat?
How often do Skunks Eat? In the wild, skunks might need to hold out for several days before they can find enough food. In captivity, skunks are usually fed 2 times per day and their portions are monitored since they have no fasting period in between to digest everything they ate.
Is it OK to feed skunks?
Skunks and raccoons are wild animals looking for a readily available food source, and feeding them will encourage them to keep coming back for more. While you might think you are doing a good thing by feeding skunks or raccoons, you could actually be jeopardizing the health of your family and your pets.
Do skunks eat cucumber?
About forty percent of the diet should be made up of veggies. These veggies may include bell peppers, red cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and cauliflower. It can be served fresh or frozen or fresh. Skunks also eat cooked foods though they should only be fed such food once a month.
How long can a skunk go without food and water?
While they don't go into full hibernation, they do enter into a state of extreme reduced activity, often going without food or water for several days at a time. This means that when spring comes around, skunks are out there eating as much as they can to bulk up after being dormant for so long.
Do skunks like broccoli?
Offer most vegetables raw or frozen. Choose from broccoli, cauliflower, yellow squash, zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, snap peas, carrots, egg plants, radish, turnips, beets, cucumbers and tomatoes.
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.
What are porcupines favorite food?
In the spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and stems. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the porcupines eat herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, vegetables and greens. Their favorite food item is corn on the cob.
What do skunks like to eat in the winter?
Males spend the warm months alone. The arrival of spring brings not only warmer weather, but new food sources. The omnivorous skunk goes from a lean winter diet of carrion, fruit, and seeds to a summer diet rich in insects, small mammals, and sometimes our trash.
How often do skunks eat?
How often do Skunks Eat? In the wild, skunks might need to hold out for several days before they can find enough food. In captivity, skunks are usually fed 2 times per day and their portions are monitored since they have no fasting period in between to digest everything they ate.
What are some good foods to feed a skunk?
Insects are not only great nutrition, but can be fun to feed too. Crickets, meal worms, super worms, pinkies and beetles are all favorites. A good source of protein is pinkies.
What are some good treats for a skunk?
A skunk will be thrilled to get any healthy snack and consider it to be the best treat in the world. A few great ideas for treats are water veggies such as bell pepper, cucumber or celery. Be mindful of how much your skunk is getting in treats and take into account his total dietary intake for the day.
What can I not feed my skunk?
Foods To Avoid. It can never be stressed enough to not feed your skunk cat food or any other kibble! Other foods that are poison to your skunk are junk foods such as potato chips or corn chips. Never give your skunk sugary foods like candy bars, donuts, cake or cookies. Never let your skunk get to chocolate.
How much calcium should I give my skunk?
It has been suggested that skunks need 250 mg of calcium a day. In actuality, 60 - 90 mg is a closer estimate. If the proper amount for a 200 pound human is 1,000 mg, you can see where 250 mg is too much for a 10 pound adult skunk. The important thing to remember about calcium is that it also needs, magnesium, phosphorus and Vitamin D to absorb properly. Too much calcium or calcium not given properly can lead to problems such as bone calcification, bone spurs & kidney stones. It can also lead to Metabolic Bone Disease which has become quite prevalent in the domestic skunk community. You have a choice to make on how you will get enough calcium into your skunk. You can go the more natural route by using crushed egg shell and food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) to enhance the calcium in the vegetation you feed.
What do skunks eat?
The preferred plant matter is mostly berries, fruits, nuts grasses and vegetation. There are any number of vegetation, fruits and proteins that are acceptable for your skunk to eat. Mother Nature always provides her creatures with everything they need to thrive.
How to keep a skunk healthy?
For the sake of your skunk's health, don't fall for this ploy. Stick to your diet plan and don't over feed your skunk. Even the smallest amount of extras adds up over time. Pick up all bags of dog or cat food, bird, hamster or ferret food and put it where your skunk can't possibly get to it .
What do omnivores eat?
Diet varies depending on season and what is more readily available. As omnivores, they will eat more grasses, nuts and vegetation in the fall and winter when grasshoppers, crickets, beetles and other insects are not so readily available. The preferred plant matter is mostly berries, fruits, nuts grasses and vegetation.
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 do skunks eat?
Skunkie Delight is made up of millet, raw ground turkey, eggs, vegetable oil, and a variety of vitamin and mineral powders.
How to keep a skunk's weight under control?
Exercise: This is one area we believe strongly in. Your skunk will need plenty of play and socializing time. Don’t be afraid to get down on the floor (their level) and play chase, stomp, tug-o-war, and ball with them. Getting enough exercise plays a very important role in keeping your skunks weight under control.
What to do if a skunk misses the litter box?
Once your skunk is using the litter box on a regular basis, reward him with more room to explore. If he misses the litter box and chooses a new spot, make his area smaller again until he has reestablished where the litter pan is. Sometimes skunks refuse to use the litter pan when it is dirty.
What happens if a skunk bites someone?
For this reason, if your pet skunk bites someone and the bite is reported, your skunk is likely to be seized, slaughtered, and it's brain tissue tested for rabies. Most government officials seem callous and ill effected by the fact that this animal is your beloved family pet.
How to teach a skunk to do tricks?
Skunks can be taught to stand up on their hind feet for food. Patience, repetition on the part of the owner, and good treats are the biggest assets to teaching your skunk to do tricks.
How long do skunks live?
Life Expectancy and Obesity: With the proper diet and exercise, most skunks will live an average of eight to twelve years, or even longer. Skunks have a ferocious appetite. They will literally eat until they make themselves sick, and then continue to eat more.
Why do skunks shed?
Skunks shed twice a year. They shed their soft downy layer of fur in the spring and their longer courser coat in the fall. Shedding is usually less than that of a cat or a dog and lasts a shorter period of time. If you notice a white dander in their fur, it is a sign of dry skin. This can be caused by too many baths.
What to feed a skunk?
Feeder insects and animals to give your skunk include crickets, mealworms, worms, and frozen pinkie mice. You can buy specialty skunk food online, if you need an easy way to feed your skunk. However, it will be much more expensive and not any more nutritious than making your own. Do not feed your skunk cat food.
What do skunks eat?
Give your skunk mostly raw or cooked lean proteins. This can include a combination of chicken, eggs, dairy, fish, grain-free dog food, and feeder animals and insects. These lean proteins should make up about 70% of your skunk’s diet. Eggs and meat can be given raw or cooked.
How to get a skunk to sleep in a crate?
2. Get a pet bed that fits inside the crate. Give your skunk a soft, cushioned place to sleep when it is in its crate. Pick out a bed that is machine washable, as you will want to wash it every week or two. Don't spend a ton of money on your skunk’s bed.
How big should a skunk be for an outside pet?
If you just want an area where your skunk can explore while you supervise, a pen will work well. Ideally, an outdoor pet would be at least 6 feet (1.8 m ) long, 6 feet (1.8 m) wide, and 3 feet (0.91 m) tall.
How to get a skunk to move around?
1. Buy a crate for your skunk. Before you obtain your little pet skunk, go to a local pet shop and pick out a large dog crate for it. Pick the biggest one that will fit in your home, so that your skunk will have room to move around in it. Get a crate that is made for extra large dog breeds.
How long can you keep esbilac powder for a baby skunk?
Feed the baby skunk esbilac powder, and mix only enough for 24 hours 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.
How to train a skunk to go to the bathroom?
Introduce your skunk to a litter box and they will remember where it is when they need to go to the bathroom. Litter training a skunk can take a bit longer than it does with a cat. However, keep trying and your skunk is likely to get the hang of it. Put the litter boxes in the corner of rooms and the cage.
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 is the best food for a skunk?
If you aren't using a formulated food, your skunk's diet should be roughly 60% to 70% lean protein, such as cooked chicken, eggs, fish, or feeder insects.
How to keep a skunk as a pet?
And some people set up entire rooms, such as a small bedroom, as "skunk playrooms." This way, you can keep most of your skunk's toys and bed in one room and limit its access to parts of your home that are unsafe for it (as well as prevent it from getting into items you don't want damaged).
When do skunks play?
In the wild, skunks are most active at dawn and dusk. But a pet skunk can learn to be on its human's schedule. These animals need lots of stimulation, and many enjoy playing with dog or cat toys. They're also natural diggers and might dig into a carpet or scratch furniture if they don't have enough toys of their own.
What do skunks learn?
They are active and curious, which means they will get into everything in your home. They can learn to open cabinets, drawers, and even the refrigerator. And if certain items, such as towels, blankets, and clothing, go missing, your skunk might have stolen them to make its bed softer.
What are the personality traits of a skunk?
Some of a skunk's personality traits, such as being stubborn and headstrong, can make it a challenge to live with. Fortunately, pet skunks also tend to be sociable and playful when they grow up interacting with people. They are active and curious, which means they will get into everything in your home.
Can you have a skunk 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.
Can a skunk go back home?
If your skunk gets loose, it can cover miles in a day. Skunks generally lack a homing instinct, so once your skunk is gone , it likely won't be able to find its way back home. However, you can safely take your pet skunk outdoors on a harness and leash for exercise and enrichment.
How many states allow skunks as pets?
Not every state in the U.S.A. permits the ownership of skunks. Only 17 states have laws on the books that make it legal to own a skunk as a pet, and many of these states have regulations that you must follow, such as where you must buy a pet skunk and how you must register them. The following states allow the ownership of skunks:
Can skunks be kept in captivity?
The biggest takeaway from all this should be that wild and domestic skunks are very different, and wild skunks should never be captured and kept in captivity. Skunks bred in captivity are friendly, interactive, and easy to take care of, which makes them a suitable pet option for some families. That said, know that many people believe that breeding skunks in captivity is cruel because it takes away their natural ability to live and defend themselves.
Can you make a skunk a pet?
One should never capture a wild skunk and try to make it a pet. Domestic skunks have been bred for more than 60 years now, and they are very different animals than wild skunks. In the wild, skunks have scent glands that can scare even the most terrifying predators away. Humans hate the smell, as do cats, dogs, goats, chickens, and other farm animals and pets.
Can skunks survive outside?
Domestic skunks cannot survive on their own outdoors. They do not know how to scavenge for food like wild skunks because they have never had to do so. Also, domestic skunks do not have scent glands, which means that they lack their only true natural defense toward would-be predators. This puts domestic skunks at high risk when they get free outside. Skunks travel quickly, and unlike dogs that can find their way back home, skunks do not typically wander back to their homes and instead move farther away.
Can skunks eat bugs?
In the wild, skunks are scavengers and will eat anything from bugs to fruit. Many can live out of a household’s garbage can just fine. But your pet skunk should not be subjected to that for sustenance. They should be offered daily meals consisting of chicken, fish, and beans for protein. Skunks should also be offered a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as:
