He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Louisiana State University and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in writing at the University of Arkansas. The rest of the diet should primarily be fresh, cooked, or thawed frozen vegetables.

But in some areas, skunks, like foxes have been bred into domestic pets.

Ensure that your home is escape-proof to keep your skunk safe. If you aren't using a formulated food, your skunk's diet should be roughly 60% to 70% lean protein, such as cooked chicken, eggs, fish, or feeder insects. Furthermore, skunks can be trained to use a However, skunks can make great pets once their scent glands have been removed. For more than 60 years, skunks have undergone domestication to be the fun-loving, furry mischief-makers that more and more skunk enthusiasts are welcoming into their homes. Skunks are not low-maintenance pets. Before you start handling a skunk, make sure it cannot spray and that it has been vaccinated against rabies to avoid unpleasant aromas or a trip to the hospital.Observe the skunk's behavior.

Color is no indication of a skunk’s gender, as adult males and females look identical with males being only slightly larger.

Skunks are prone to a variety of health issues, including seizures, diabetes, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and obesity. In the wild, skunks are most active at dawn and dusk.

Fully grown male dogs (whether neutered or intact) are often taller, heavier and stockier than their adult female counterparts. In the wild, skunks are omnivores, eating nearly anything they can find.

Consult your vet for the proper dosage. Skunks generally lack a homing instinct, so once your skunk is gone, it likely won't be able to find its way back home.

Native to North America, skunks are known for their scent glands that can

They are active and curious, which means they will get into everything in your home.

Fruit can be given as a treat but not every day. The majority of states ban skunks as pets. In addition to feeding and cleaning up after your skunk, expect to spend several hours per day keeping it entertained.

In the case of wild skunks the answer is no. Some of a skunk's personality traits, such as being stubborn and headstrong, can make it a challenge to live with. Finally, skunks need access to a dish of fresh water at all times, though some don't drink a lot.

But a pet skunk can learn to be on its human's schedule.

Males can be several inches and pounds larger than female skunks.Pay attention to the skunk's behavior.

Skunks also need to be vaccinated against common dog and cat diseases, such as distemper, as well as dewormed. Male and female skunks are easy to tell apart, because there are clear anatomical and behavioral differences.

As social animals, they generally enjoy being handled by and playing with their human family members. Skunks should be spayed or neutered at a young age, usually when they're 3 to 6 months old, to prevent aggression and potential health issues due to their hormones, such as cancer. Each cat, whether it is male or female, has its own pros and cons, each one being an individual with its own traits, both good and bad. Skunks bred to be pets tend to be docile and friendly, a bit like a cat. Avoid chocolate, as it is toxic to skunks. And some people set up entire rooms, such as a small bedroom, as "skunk playrooms." Wild skunks do not make good pets. Fortunately, pet skunks also tend to be sociable and playful when they grow up interacting with people. You also can see whether a rescue group has an older skunk whose personality would fit your lifestyle. Expect to pay between $200 and $500. Similar to cats and dogs, skunks have partially exposed genitals. Aim to interact with any animal before you bring it home. This way, you can keep most of your skunk's toys and bed in one room and limit its access to parts of your home that are unsafe for it (as well as prevent it from getting into items you don't want damaged). Some red flags include labored breathing or mucus around the eyes, nose, or mouth, which can indicate disease.