Skunks are omnivorous mammals. Understanding their specific dietary needs is important for their health and well-being, whether encountered in their natural habitat or kept as domesticated pets.
What Wild Skunks Naturally Eat
Wild skunks have a broad omnivorous diet that changes with seasons and available food. During warmer months, their diet primarily consists of insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, grubs, worms, and various larvae, which they often dig for. They also consume honeybees, their larvae, honeycomb, wasps, and hornets. As insects become scarce in autumn and winter, skunks shift their focus to small mammals like mice, voles, shrews, bird eggs, and carrion.
Beyond animal protein, wild skunks forage for a variety of plant materials including berries, fruits, nuts, roots, leaves, and fungi. Common plant-based foods include chokeberry, elderberry, wild grapes, cranberries, walnuts, pecans, and hickory nuts. They are opportunistic foragers, consuming whatever is readily available. Despite their flexible diet, wild skunks are self-sufficient and do not require human intervention for food.
Foods to Never Offer Wild Skunks
Feeding wild skunks can have detrimental effects on both the animals and human communities, leading to habituation to humans and potential aggression. Foods not naturally part of their diet can cause severe nutritional deficiencies and health problems. Processed human foods, including junk food, high-fat, or sugary items, are particularly harmful and can lead to obesity and other health issues.
Certain common human foods are toxic to skunks and should be entirely avoided. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be poisonous and cause symptoms ranging from vomiting to seizures. Onions and garlic, whether raw, cooked, or powdered, contain compounds that damage a skunk’s red blood cells, potentially leading to anemia. Grapes and raisins are also dangerous, as they can cause kidney failure.
Avocado skin and pits contain persin, a toxin that can be harmful. Even cat food, often mistakenly given, is too high in fat and protein for skunks and can lead to health imbalances. Leaving out pet food, birdseed, or unsecured garbage can attract skunks and encourage unhealthy reliance on human-provided food sources.
Balanced Diet for Pet Skunks
The dietary requirements for domesticated pet skunks differ significantly from those of their wild counterparts, necessitating a carefully balanced approach to ensure their long-term health. Their diet should consist of a base of high-quality commercial skunk food, such as Mazuri Omnivore-Zoo Feed or Exotic Nutrition’s Premium Skunk Diet. This commercial diet, specifically formulated for their needs, should make up 50% to 75% of their daily intake, as skunks are prone to obesity.
Supplementing the commercial diet with a variety of fresh foods is important for comprehensive nutrition. Lean cooked meats like chicken or turkey, as well as boneless fish, offer beneficial protein. A wide array of fresh or thawed frozen vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, squash, zucchini, and bell peppers, should be offered generously. Fruits should be given in limited quantities due to their sugar content; low-sugar options like berries or melon are preferred as occasional treats.
Cooked grains like oats, rice, or sweet potatoes can be included in small amounts. Occasional insects like mealworms or crickets, and eggs with shells, can also benefit pet skunks by providing calcium. Ensure adequate calcium and taurine, often requiring supplements, as skunks need a specific calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for bone health (1:1 for adults, 2:1 for infants). Adult skunks generally thrive on two meals per day, with portion control essential to prevent obesity, and fresh water must always be available.
Feeding Skunk Babies
Feeding skunk babies, or kits, requires specialized knowledge and care due to their delicate nature and rapid development. If an orphaned wild skunk kit is found, immediately contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. These professionals provide specific care and species-appropriate milk replacers necessary for survival, as improper feeding can be fatal. They can also assess if the kit is truly orphaned or if the mother is likely to return.
For pet skunk kits, specialized milk formulas such as Esbilac puppy milk replacer or Fox Valley Skunk Formula are used, and cow’s milk should be avoided entirely. As kits mature, around six to seven weeks of age, solid foods can be gradually introduced. This transition involves offering finely chopped cooked chicken, soft cooked vegetables, and small amounts of grains, along with appropriate supplements. Expert guidance from a veterinarian experienced with exotic pets or a wildlife rehabilitator is always recommended when caring for young skunks.