Pet Skunk Information
Recently another skunk owner forwarded me a packet of pet skunk information written by a Veterinarian regarding the care of pet skunks. She was given the packet when she brought two of her skunks for their annuals. At first, I thought it can’t be bad as I know the Veterinarian who wrote it. Then I read it and realized it must have been written prior to her becoming experienced with skunks. I searched for a date to verify that but there was none. Some of the things mentioned as ok are actually health or safety issues. For instance, if you use litter for your skunk, make sure you do NOT use pine or clumping clay litters. Yesterday news is a better choice for skunks as they may ingest it. View product here. Puppy pads or the use of newspaper to line the litter boxes are easy and inexpensive. Another recommendation was to feed the skunk a small amount of dog food that would not bring them the recommended protein and fat percentages noted they needed. Interesting that the name brands of the foods are brands commonly sold by Veterinarians. There have been multiple recalls of those brands and they are known to contain grains (which skunks should not be fed) and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). What was the most frightening was the suggestion that the owner feed 2 to 3 grapes per day. Grapes and raisins are known to be fatal to skunks. It is well documented that they are […]
Baby Season 2016-Choosing a Veterinarian
If you are new to the skunk world, you may not know just how important it is to choose your skunk’s Veterinarian carefully! A Veterinarian who sees mostly dogs and cats may not be comfortable with seeing captive wildlife and just because they agree to see the skunk, doesn’t mean they are experienced to do so. If you haven’t already done so, ask the breeder or the pet store for recommendations for Veterinarians who see skunks. If you know other pet skunk owners, check with them also. If there is a wildlife care center near you, they will know of Veterinarians that see captive wildlife. Once you get a few names, call and ask them any questions you may have. Some important questions to ask are located here. Ideally, your Veterinarian will be your partner in raising a healthy pet skunk that you will enjoy for many years. It is important to have a Veterinarian that you can turn to when your skunk needs medical attention and for routine procedures like spaying and neutering. You may not be aware that the wrong drug will kill a skunk quickly. All kits come with roundworms which needs to be addressed by a Veterinarian at this age to dose the correct medicine. The wrong de-wormer will also kill a skunk! Read more about de-worming your kit here. All pets deserve great Veterinarians! This is even more important for pet skunks who are not the best of patients most of the time. For pet […]
Baby Season 2016
How exciting, the kits are in pet stores now! While personally, I think nothing is cuter than a baby skunk, every year some people make the mistake of getting a skunk kit before they do their research on how to care for them. This results in the kits being given up for adoption by fall. Please make sure you do your research first. Below are a few things to be aware of: 1) Find a skunk savvy Veterinarian. After you pick up your baby, they will need a get acquainted visit to start the de-worming process. In a few months, they will need to be neutered or spayed. Learn how to de-worm a kit here. 2) Determine whether you have sufficient funds to purchase and care for a pet skunk. They are an 8 to 10 year commitment if properly cared for. They will require regular Veterinarian visits and their care is more expensive that that of a dog or cat. 3) Determine whether your lifestyle is compatible. Do you own your own home? Landlords rarely allow captive wildlife. Can you give around the clock care for the first month? 4) Are you willing to skunk proof your home? For some people that means giving up carpeting and sometimes nicer furnishings unless the home is large enough where the skunk has it’s own area. 5) Do you have other pets that would be problematic? Not all skunks get along with other animals or even with other skunks. Skunks are predatory […]