Petrified skunks!!!

[Miche]

I have taken on 2 more skunks, the one is 2 yrs & the other is 1 yr (both neutered & descented). They were kept in a spare bedroom and only had human contact when fed - hence me having them!!! The problem I have got is they are so, so scared that the mess themselves as soon as I talk to them or pick them up. I have tried rescue remedy & other herbal remedies suggested by a wildlife centre in their food but nothing seems to be working. I have only had them a week and half but would appreciate some help if anyone has any suggestions of how to get them happier!!!
They both get on with my baby skunk so he doesn't make them worse, infact he can make the female move!!! The older boy is so stiff from just sitting in his bed that he can hardly walk - it breaks my heart to see animals so frightened & makes me so angry to think people could treat them like that in the 1st place

[Fixx]

Time, lots of patience and be prepared for two skunks that will never be 'lap tame', still a joy to own though.

[RepBex]

you could try just sittin with them holding some super yummy food and let them come to you

it will take time but the more u just pick them up straght away the more timid they will be ... as in there mind ur attacking them when u pick them up

[Emmaj]

as Fixx has said its going to be time and patience with them

also as bex said dont go to them let them come to you sit with them with yummy treats around you until you can get to the stage of holding the treat and them taking it from you

its a matter of trust they have to learn to trust you and you jumping in and grabbing them all the time will un nerve them so just take it slowly with them

[Miche]

the only problem with not picking them up is that I like to put them outside during the day & then bring them in at night. Also because the male messes his bed I have to change it at least twice a day and clean him up so he isn't getting wet which is not helping his legs. I can get them to come to me for treats eventually but the minute I move they scarper!!! I know it is going to take a very long time for them to trust humans but I do keep talking to them & reassuring them I am not going to hurt them. I also need them to move because they are so fat!!! they had been fed lots of malted milk biscuits which I have stopped other than just a tiny bit occasionally as they will do anything for them and they are obviously happy when they smell them!!!

[84KB11]

Sorry to hear about the skunks, really wish people would do their homework before taking these animals on.

You could try getting them to associate you with a sound or smell, that way they will start to remember/trust you.
As they like malted milk's, maybe you could taint some bland treats by putting them in a tub with crushed malted milks and leaving them somewhere warm overnight?

Hope you get on well with these.

[sashcan]

i have one exactly the same he was about a year old when i got him he lives with us in the house ive had him about 6months he is very nervous wont be picked up im in all day everyday but no matter what we cant coax him out of his hiding place under the bed
he doesnt get up until about 10pm we try to make a fuss of him but he not interested he very scared and runs away to hide
we have a little bit of progress if we have food in our hands he will snatch it off us now and run
he also messes himself if we pick him up and messes in his beds

it used to worry me the way he acts like being very scared but i know now thats the way he is and i accept that he is never going to be a cuddly lap skunk and the strange and funny thing is that the little things he does like come behind me when im at the sink or staring at me when im watching tv make me very happy as he wouldnt even come in any room where we were he doesnt stay as soon as we move he off but its a very slow process but in time u will see small changes as we have

good luck with your 2