Do I Want A Skunk?

[midori]

I have been thinking about getting a skunk for ages, but it is hard to find information that isn't conflicting on the net about care etc.

So, firstly, does anyone know of any good websites?

Secondly, what is owning a skunk like? I have heard people say it is like a cross between a puppy and toddler that never grows up, and for this reason I have thought maybe it'd be best put off until I didn't have so many other pets, but lately I have been wondering if I'd manage.

I have other pets, three dogs and two cats (and rodents/snakes) and they obviously aren't used to skunks, so is that likely to be a problem with spraying from the skunk until the dogs/cats get used to it and it gets used to them, or does it really depend on the skunk?

Also, can someone who please explain what the spraying is like? I think that's probably my main concern, if I am honest.

Should I expect my house to be wrecked, or can that be prevented if the skunk is properly supervised? (I don't work, so am at home with my other animals most of the time) Can a skunk be crated at night/if we go out, or is this cruel?

Any advice would be great. I dont' know anyone over here who owns them, so it's hard to meet any. Sorry if my questions seem silly.

[ditta]

Originally Posted by midori

I have been thinking about getting a skunk for ages, but it is hard to find information that isn't conflicting on the net about care etc.

So, firstly, does anyone know of any good websites?

check on http://ukskunks.com/

Secondly, what is owning a skunk like? I have heard people say it is like a cross between a puppy and toddler that never grows up, and for this reason I have thought maybe it'd be best put off until I didn't have so many other pets, but lately I have been wondering if I'd manage.

a skunk does demand a lot of your time but we have 3 and they are a pleasure not a chore

I have other pets, three dogs and two cats (and rodents/snakes) and they obviously aren't used to skunks, so is that likely to be a problem with spraying from the skunk until the dogs/cats get used to it and it gets used to them, or does it really depend on the skunk?

we have 2 dogs 5 cats and lots of other exotics and rodents and reps they dont all get along but the skunks well 2 of them have the run of the kitchen with 2 cats and all tolerate each other.......when the skunks are allowed supervised free roam of the house the dogs just tend to stay out of the way lol

Also, can someone who please explain what the spraying is like? I think that's probably my main concern, if I am honest.


we dont have that problem so cant comment

Should I expect my house to be wrecked, or can that be prevented if the skunk is properly supervised? (I don't work, so am at home with my other animals most of the time) Can a skunk be crated at night/if we go out, or is this cruel?

oh yes expect this and more, ours can open kitchen cupboards even with child locks......so everything is high up now, as long as you skunk proof a room in your house where they can be left un supervised, this is better than caging them as most skunks sleep through the day and are very active evenings and nights

Any advice would be great. I dont' know anyone over here who owns them, so it's hard to meet any. Sorry if my questions seem silly.

anything else just give us a shout

[loulou]

another skunk site Skunks: Do you really want a pet skunk? and it answers pretty much ever question you have asked from our personal experiences.

Oh and heres the page that explains the spray Skunks: Spraying

[HABU]

i saw a few squashed on the road here yesterday...

[midori]

I think the main thing that concerns me is the destructiveness. I know my husband would go ballistic if our carpets, sofas etc got ruined. For that reason, and the fact I have young children, I am wondering if we did decide to get one, it would be better off outside in a shelter/run and brought into the house when we were there and the children weren't about. (schooltimes, evenings etc)

Does anyone keep their skunks outside like this, and is it likely to effect how friendly they are? I am assuming they'd need a sturdy enclosure on concrete so they couldn't dig through/out? Would they chew through wood? Can the roam around a secure garden under supervision?

Are they likely to just randomly start wrecking the place in front of us, or do they mainly do it when left alone? I'm assuming ther eis a way to stop them doing it in front of you, even though they aren't trainable as such?

I'd really like one, but am thinking it might be best to wait until we have a house with a spare room.

[felix93]

I asked myself the same question for months before I got my first skunk last week (even I reserved one for weeks until I was ready to pick him up). I talked to a handful of people who have experiences with keep skunks as pets as well as my very good herp vet.

I am still very new keeping skunk, but I have no regrets at all. The baby which I bought from the breeder is so well behaved, may be it's still early days and he is too scared to destroy my house yet, but I have to say I am confident enough to say mine is not destructive. I was even in shocked with all the stuff I read on the net, I was kinda ready for those naughtiness but nope, almost a week now and nothing major has happened (of course I don't wish that to come). I have a young cockeral running in the house, the breeder warned me I have to keep an eye on the skunk because he loves to eat chickens etc. And so far so good, when my skunk comes out and play in the evening (from 6pm to almost midnight before put back in the crate) but he doesn't bother about the chicken at all. And with the house rabbit, cats, dogs, he just get on fine.

I don't have very young children but I have a 12 years old, he plays with Mack the skunk and he has given Mack a bath yesterday too. TBH, I think they are no worse than having a kitten or a puppy or a ferret in the house.

I recognised the breeder I got the skunk from put a lot of effort to bring all his babies up properly before rehoming them when the time comes. As said, I am properly very lucky to have such a good well behave skunk. The most I think is if you want one, talk to the breeder, he / she will tell you what to expect from their babies. I did post a thread on here asking what to expect when a skunk arrive and no one could answer me that because we all have different expectation.

I have to say, all the negativities comment I got from people who haven't got a skunk as pet have put me off a little until I talked to the breeder properly and I knew my mind has made up by then depsite of all the negative comment.

[Fixx]

Midori, as you are based in Ireland, I do believe a de-scented skunk is an option for you over there.

As for destructiveness, it's down to the skunk, we have skunks here that have caused no real damage at all right up to excavating a burrow through a concrete floor (there was a prior flaw in the concrete).

[Amalthea]

Originally Posted by Fixx

Midori, as you are based in Ireland, I do believe a de-scented skunk is an option for you over there.

As for destructiveness, it's down to the skunk, we have skunks here that have caused no real damage at all right up to excavating a burrow through a concrete floor (there was a prior flaw in the concrete).

[Talk To The Animals]

Originally Posted by midori

Does anyone keep their skunks outside like this, and is it likely to effect how friendly they are? I am assuming they'd need a sturdy enclosure on concrete so they couldn't dig through/out? Would they chew through wood? Can the roam around a secure garden under supervision?



I'd really like one, but am thinking it might be best to wait until we have a house with a spare room.

We keep ours outside but bring them in for lots of cuddles. They both lived inside for a year (before we got sick of them wrecking the room and decided they had to go out!!) and it hasn't made a difference to their friendliness.

We've just started giving them more food to let them put weight on for over the winter.

They live in a converted mews at the moment (small shed thing for bird of prey) which we added an extra floor to to double the floor space. They are hopefully going into a brand new enclosure on Monday, if the man turns up to build it!!

They are great, but need a lot of time and patience.

We got our first one when she was 9 months old and think she had been brought over from America and quarantined because she's very nervous until you pick her up. She'll never come to you for a fuss, you always have to catch her. I don't think she's very far away from her wild family, to be honest. The one we got when she was a baby is much much friendlier and will pester you until you pick her up. She knows her own mind though, and will make it perfectly clear if she's had enough by nipping you.

Good luck, if you decide to get one.