What to Feed Your Pet Skunk

What do Pet Skunks eat?

As long as you feed your skunk a healthy diet and keep them active, they can live up to 10 years. However, like humans, they are susceptible to obesity, with all the complications associated with having excess body fat. That’s why it’s important to know what you should and shouldn’t give your skunk.

Feeding Pet Skunks

If I were a skunk, I would write about all the foods I want to eat but not so much about the foods I have to eat. Pet skunks have the same problem of overeating, as we do. Fortunately, the owner has control over the food choices; an overweight skunk runs the same risk of dying an early death as an overweight person.

Hungry Skunks

Just like us, a skunk naturally prefers high-calorie foods that contain a lot of fat and sugar. This is because, in the wild, you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, so you need to load up on as many calories as possible. But a pet skunk (like a modern human) has a lower energy requirement, so it needs a varied diet to stay healthy and happy.

Pet skunks will eat almost anything. Since they are still relatively new to the pet world, how best to feed a skunk is still the subject of some debate and probably will be as long as people care about keeping skunks happy and healthy.

It used to be thought that skunks could survive on dog or cat food, with the occasional scrap of food on the table as a treat. Although the skunk likes this “diet”, it is too full of fat and protein for a healthy diet. It’s like raising a child on a diet of only hamburgers, fried chicken, and water. They will not be very healthy for a long time.

Skunks need a mix of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and protein just like us. And don’t be carried away by pleading faces; skunks will eat even when they are full. (Do you look like someone you know?)

A Healthy Skunk Diet

The main morning meal for your adult skunk may consist of:

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup thawed frozen vegetables (no asparagus!)
• 1 tablespoon cooked chicken or turkey
• 2 teaspoons cooked rice, oats, or cereal

And their dinner can be:

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh or cooked vegetables
• 2 tablespoons cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of nuts, cooked grains, or bread
• 1 teaspoon of yogurt

Kits (baby skunks) under four months old need to eat four times a day (just like puppies do). They only need about 3 tablespoons worth of food at each meal. The meal can be a combination of a third protein, a third carbohydrate, and a third vegetable. More skunk recipes can be found at Skunk Haven and at Owners Of Pet Skunks (OOPS).

What Not to Feed a Skunk

These foods are bad for skunks (even skunks will eat them anyway!)

• cat food
• sweet
• onions
• asparagus (known to cause seizures)
• chocolate
• processed meats such as hot dogs or lunchmeat
• bacon fat or bacon
• fried foods
• lettuce

Are There Any Commercially Available Skunk Foods?

Yes, there are commercial skunk diets available, but these must be special ordered directly from the manufacturer. One of the most popular is the Exotic Nutrition Pet Company’s Skunk Diet, and they also make skunk nutritional supplements and canned insect food for any protein-loving exotic pet. It may be easier for you to make the skunk foods yourself.

Enjoy your meal!

Can I Have a Pet Skunk?

Whether or not you can have a pet skunk depends on your state and its regulations, so be sure to do your research. Since keeping skunks as pets is a relatively new phenomenon, you need to be careful when handling them. First, make sure you get a skunk from a skunk breeder—don’t just pull one from the wild. Second, make sure they are spayed, neutered and de-scented, as it will be easier for you to keep one as a pet.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2007 Rena Sherwood

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