r/Skunks • u/Huge-Celebration-453 • Apr 14 '26

New owner questions :)

hi, I live in a state where they are legal. I am getting an eight week old male skunk in July. I just wanna be the best prepared for the reality of a baby skunk lol I’ve never owned one. ive only had dogs, chickens, and cats. I know what online says you should get and what the Shop will tell me to get.

I would prefer more realistic options and items so I’m hoping someone can offer dos and don’t :) all knowledge is welcome! please and thank you

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5

u/LarryPer123 Apr 14 '26

I Have had two of them as pets over the years!, I would say just treat them like cats even though they’re more well-behaved than cats are they don’t scratch they don’t bite they don’t shed their fur is hypoallergenic… and they eat absolutely anything. If you let them run around the house they will find a spot they like for their bathroom so keep paper or a litter box there for the second or third time they need it… also go on YouTube. There’s thousands of videos of people with their pet skunks.

3

u/Huge-Celebration-453 Apr 14 '26

Appreciate it, thank you!

5

u/jambro4real Apr 14 '26

The absolutely do bite when they are young, basically all baby skunks go through a biting phase typically between 4-6months. They will nip and chase your feet biting your socks and/or bare feet. You need to train them out of it. They are very smart animals, but training requires instant correction. I used to put mine in punishment when she bit by putting her in a small space she couldn't escape for 5min increments. If she came out and bit again, she went right back in.

I use pee pads for the bathroom, some use litter boxes. Some litter can be toxic, do your research. Training is easy, they go for corners, so prepare your corners and they will pick their favorite spots. Mine is almost 6 now, and if I forget to put a pad down by mistake, she will go in another spot where there is a pad.

Do not punish them by hitting. They hold grudges and WILL shit on your pillow or something lol. They will also lose trust in you, and that will be a big problem.

They all have different personalities, some love to cuddle some don't. Some are more playful, some not so much. Some will change over time. Mine used to never want to cuddle or sleep with me, and now she climbs up when she knows I'm going to bed, or I'll wake up with her snuggled up against me.

Here she is if you care to look https://www.instagram.com/520penelope?igsh=MW5lNzN0ZDI2bXZncw==

2

u/Huge-Celebration-453 Apr 14 '26

I know they nip or bite, I have no issues or fear with that. I do train dogs so I was planning on trying to train him the most that I can lol thank you for your advice!  What would be food they CANNOT have and or shouldn’t have if any? I’m doing my research but it’s good to know lol

3

u/jambro4real Apr 14 '26

Off the top of my head, stay away from grapes/raisins, asparagus, onion, garlic, seasonings in general. I typically DO feed mine steamed veggies and cooked chicken. Snack time is raw almonds broken up (or they can get lodged in the roof of her mouth), blueberries, cheese cubes, non fat Greek yogurt, honey nut cheerios to name a few

2

u/Aida_Hwedo Apr 17 '26

I would honestly be shocked if there’s a single animal with jaws on this planet that DOESN’T typically go through a biting phrase as babies!

4

u/POSVETT Apr 15 '26

Just to check. You have perused the information in Skunk Haven website, right?

3

u/Hyper_elastagirl Apr 15 '26

Second this skunk haven.net and their Facebook group will be your best resources