A man’s newest best friend carries a foul smell

The familiar yet monotone symphony composed of a heaved sigh orchestrated to the tune of the keyboard’s ticking jingle numbs its audience. Fleeing to unwind from your spoiled Boss, Mr. Narcissist, with the help of an exclusive Bathroom break, this sadistic routine is enough to achieve pity in the hearts of the austere. 

After hours of liaising with suppliers and sending out invoices, the odyssey home seems unfeasible. Preparing the keys to your apartment door, you hear a hearty chirp. Entering the scene, you couldn’t help but smile as the furry creature greeted your arrival, frantically scurrying towards your feet. It served as a reminder that everything was going to be alright. 

This typical scenario would match the description of the traditional day in the life of a dog owner, however, what if I told you that is no ordinary pet, but perhaps a skunk? Despite not being a popular pet, domestic skunks make great companions. Just like a dog or guinea pig, skunks provide amiable companionship and a source of comfort. 

Skunks are legal in 17 states: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

To purchase one the seller must have a USDA licensed permit and a paper trail. Different states have certain regulations such as the prohibition of importing skunks from other states and preventing skunks of certain colors. 

If a skunk is bought illegally the state will take precautions and has the right to kill your pet skunk. If a skunk nips someone, it will be turned in, decapitated, and tested for rabies, therefore skunk owners shouldn’t let other people touch their pet due to the risk of reporting a skunk bite. 

Domesticated skunks are descented at an early age, between two to five weeks; however, it is best performed from six to eight weeks of age. This is a procedure in which a veterinarian, one that specializes in exotic animals, removes the scent glands from the animal’s anal glands located inside the rectum at the base of the tail, the culprit of the stench, through dissection and traction. The skunk’s anal gland juice is very caustic and erosive, the odorous concentration is notably equivalent to tear gas. 

As an omnivore, a skunk’s diet consists of lean protein such as chicken or fish, vegetables, certain fruits, and cooked grains. Low-fat foods and foods with 15-25% of protein are better than high fat and high protein foods. It is recommended to feed 30% to 40% vegetables and 60 to 70% combination of meats and dairy products. Skunks also need a required amount of calcium and taurine for muscle formation and bone growth. A skunk should have his weight regulated from six to twelve pounds due to high risk of obesity, however, their weight varies from season to season. 

Skunks do not enjoy being cages for long periods of time due to their curious nature. They are meek nocturnal animals, therefore they are solitary beings and enjoy foraging as part of their pastime. Skunks are very adaptable and thrive in different habitats, as long as food and shelter are available. They rarely travel more than two miles from their establishment, therefore having a water source is important. 

Like all pets, skunks require a great deal of effort to raise, however, this furry companion will make the hardship worthwhile.