How to Care for Orphaned Baby Skunks

Baby skunks are rarely left by mother skunks, but when they are orphaned they will need special care to survive. Their cute and cuddly looks belie their ability to carry infectious diseases and to spray noxious scents. Call a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible to safely and legally care for skunks.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic laundry basket
  • Cardboard box
  • Ravel-free blankets
  • Hot water bottle
  • Pet carrier
  • Oral syringe
  • Puppy milk replacer or goat milk
  • Dog or cat kibble
  • Egg (optional)
  • Fruit, nuts, cooked meat and vegetables
  • Gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine that the skunks are truly orphaned. The Humane Society suggests that baby skunks with no mother in sight are probably orphaned. A solitary skunk is almost always abandoned or orphaned. Wait for two hours for the mother to return. If no mother claims the baby skunks, slowly lower a plastic laundry basket over them to catch the animals.

    • 2

      Ascertain the skunks' age to determine appropriate care. If they have not yet grown fur, the skunks are less than two weeks old. Skunks open their eyes around three weeks and start to walk at four weeks. By five weeks they are playful and fairly coordinated. Skunks are able to fully wean during the seventh week.

    • 3

      Provide appropriate housing. Baby skunks less than three weeks old should have a box with soft blankets. Place the box in an area free of drafts. Keep the skunks warm with a hot water bottle for the first four weeks. At three weeks old, move the skunks to a large pet carrier lined with blankets.

    • 4

      Feed baby skunks younger than six weeks old every 2-3 hours. Fill an oral syringe with puppy milk replacer or diluted goat milk. Wrap the skunks in a blanket, covering their eyes, to feed them. Older baby skunks can eat dog or cat kibble softened with egg or water. At five weeks old, skunks can eat fruit, nuts, cooked meat and vegetables.

    • 5

      Stimulate urination before and after each meal with a cotton swab moistened in water. Gently wipe the swab over the skunks' genitals until they urinate. Baby skunks need assistance with urination until they are about five weeks old.

    • 6

      Release the skunks to the wild at about 16 weeks old if you have not taken them to a wildlife rehabilitator. Leave the skunks in an isolated area, away from any roads, with plenty of bushes, woods, fields and a water source. Place some cat food on the ground so the skunks will have a food supply while they grow accustomed to their new home.