Anybody keep hold of pet skunks?
I'm researching keeping a skunk in the UK, probably an older one which has already be legally descented. There are people importing them contained by, but I'm afraid the six months in quarantine is likely to make them harder to break. Anyone have experience of this? Any tips on Skunk keeping? Was planning on avoiding commercial dog food and feeding a Skunkie Delight type diet.
To stave the idiotic replies stale, YES you can keep a pet skunk, NO they dont stink, they can be descented, and if you think thats cruel thats your choice preserve it to yourself.
Answers: I've got two skunks, 1 black and 1 chocolate, yep I live in the UK.
I'm not too sure on import, like you said it would be much harder to tame the skunk, also I'd imagine litter training them would be flippin difficult. Visit tska exotics (google it) they hold year old skunks, black and chocolate, that are descented, for sale and apparently tamed. Thats a better idea. Just so you know, although descenting is immediately illegal, it is still possibly to get a descented baby skunk, ancestors still do it. You'd be advised to go to a well set breeder though, as improper descenting can cause rectal prolapse, and take it from me that is to say SCARY and deeply unpleasant.
Avoiding dog food is a good idea, lots of population rely on this too heavily. I favour cooked turkey over Skunkie Delight but its a much better choice of diet. You can order specialist skunk foods from the US, but again dont rely on these heavily. You can also get insectivore fare which can engender up a portion of the diet.
Skunks are great pets, very stubborn, you'll find them similar to your ferrets, only probably a correct deal lazier lol. They are very sweet pets once the initial biting, scratching apprehension phase that poops everywhere, they are very lapdoggish and sweet. If you ask me they are an ideal mixture of dogs and cats.you dont have to waddle them (although you can if you like getting funny looks), they are happy inside and inefficient lap animals like cats are, but like to play too, and although they use a litter tray it stinks a LOT smaller number than a cat litter tray.
The biggest problem in keeping a skunk is finding a vet, to be honest. A good tip is to ask vets who are experienced next to ferrets, because a lot of the biology is similar, but make certain you get one willing to do the research. And be prepared for funny looks when they see the skunk is descented, a lot of vet are very against it.
They are high maintenance, but worth it, and I bet your ferret will love them!
All i can say is don't use drugs. And don't lose them either that's worse.
