Let's See Your Cats!!!

Thank you JC! You're going to love this. I do. Just got off phone with Rose, She said when she was down in the garage heading to the door to pull in the trash cans, she heard Domino up in the house just TEARING up and down the hall! When she got back upstairs the hall rugs were whipped-up. Yeah he's back

 

This is Winston who's almost two years old

 

I don't think Winston is a cat...

 

That's a stinky tuxedo kitty

 

Close enough, right?

 

It's a free country.

How does one end up with a skunk as a house pet? I would assume Winston can no longer clear a room with his tail of talent?

 

I wanna hug him and love him!!

Here kitty kitty...

 

Winston is descented. I wanted an unusual pet that can be held and that is not a dog or a cat. Winston is a rescue and my second skunk, the first one was Ollie who was acquired from a breeder.

 

Tell us more! Does he jump up into your lap? Play at all? Quirks?!

 

My wife now wants one. I may be asking a few questions.
Edit... she is now looking up rescues online.
All seem to be out of state

 

That's SO COOL!

 

Well, a skunk is loaded with quirks. Most skunks are cuddler, but they are not for everyone due to their dietary needs (long story). They go potty in a litter pan like a cat. Ollie used kitty litter and Winston uses puppy pad.

 

What’s their diet needs? Just the basics, not asking for you to do a story unless you want to lol.

 

Most answers can be found at Skunk Haven at skunkhaven.net. Please be aware of their quirks as a significant portion of pet skunks are not friendly (major reason why they were given up). Skunks are not for everyone for multiple reasons and not all states sanction pet skunks. Their movement is largely restricted (most states prohibit transporting skunks across state line). However, if you're aware of the ins and outs of having a pet skunk and you're hell bent on providing a loving home for one, have at it. My wife and I are pre-committed that no matter the personality of the skunk we end up, it will have a forever home with us. We're also somewhat affiliated with Skunk Haven, so feel free to ask me questions.

 

That was the site she was on.... it will take a little more investigating.
We had a mole for about a week, he needed some rehabilitation after the rains flooded his home. That was a challenge considering they need to eat like every 15 minutes.

 

Hats off to you for giving them a loving home for sure!

 

Skunks are opportunistic omnivore. Winston eats mostly fresh vegetables and fruits (dog and cat foods are too nutritious for their slow metabolism causing obesity). His menu contains 3-4 of these: cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, grape tomato, almond, cauliflower, broccoli, sugar snap pea, snow pea, and sweet pepper. I add scrambled (chicken) egg since Winston doesn't like boiled quail eggs (Ollie did) and beetle larvae (meal worms and super worms) for treat. He would begrudgingly eat kale and brussel sprout, so I avoid feeding him those.

Skunks also eat insects including venomous ones like bees, yellow jackets, etc. Cicadas are rare treat. I hunt insects for him in the summer. I want to see how much damage Winston can inflict on a hive of stinging insects (Ollie had attacked an ant hill and ate the escaping ants).

Once in a while, I feed Winston skunk-bite-sized pieces of steak, pork shoulder blade, or meatball from my dinner plate. The trick is a balanced low-calory diet so they don't gain weight.

 

Cool!

is it true they can breed with cats or is that a myth?

 

Thank you. Winston is the first and current rescue I have. There may be more for the future, but for now he's all we can provide a home.