I'm hoping to start a discussion about how to deal with upset skunks in cages.

Some skunks are very calm in a cage when you walk up to them. That skunk doesn't seem to care your there. Very easy to deal with.

Some skunks take a little bit of friendly / sweet talking, and they calm down no problem. Again pretty easy to deal with.

But what do you do to calm an upset skunk in a cage?

Maybe he's foot stomping (that's not good), tail is up (not helpful), or the "danger end" is pointed at you. What do you do if the skunk will not put up with you trying to put a pole in the cage?

I hope some good tips or tricks could be shared about how to deal with this situation.

I have used a thick moving blanket to cover the cage. Walk up to them with the blanket up and in front of you to guard against a spray, cover gently with the blanket and then you can move the cage while covered up without getting directly blasted. Then once you let him calm down for a while in the dark you can lift up the blanket to expose enough of the cage to get the pole into for dispatch. Not fool proof, but it has worked for me.

I had one of the little buggers do that foot stomp deal with me this year and it didn't take me long to decide I wasn't going to be getting close enough to stick that pole back in the cage again! When he stomped and spun around I was just sure I was in for it!

I'm curious to see what everyone else does in this situation.

You may have to slip a sack or blanket over the cage and give him some privacy. Sometimes they just don't like to be the center of attention.

I just use the theory that if they can't see you they are good for the most part, but there are some that are definitely more irate than others.

Time is your friend, often most blasts happen when a guy rushes it along with windy days, dogs, kids, multiple skunks in the same cage and people in general hanging around when your working on a Pepe. The best calming thing is holding the syringe in their face to get their attention as they have a short attention span. The worse ones are the pacers that never stop moving!

A small percentage are just plain nuts some are super aggressive that go after the syringe as you get close to them. New syringes and needles are worth the costs as a sticky syringe takes more pressure to move the plunger and a dull needle makes it though to penetrate the hides.

They stomp all of the time in play and when warning you to stay away or trying to identify you, their vision is poor at best mine runs around stomping when she wants to play tag or is spooked by a noise or is aggravating the dog. She comes out of the other room then stops on a spot and stomps and drags her feet if I stomp back she turns around and point the stinker at me or the dog. it's all in fun she will be acting like that with her tail all puffed out and you can pick her right up no problem.

When food is near and the dog is around she makes a squealing noise like a pig it's a eerie sound that sounds serious like a fight is on.

I read about a man that sings to skunks to calm them down.

I just use a blanket, over the cage, There was mention of a syringe. How is this syringe mounted, on a stick, Or a unit you can buy. What is used in the syringe. I have been giving them swimming lessons. Thanks old243

Mine likes the rough 2 hand massage on the back it's like a water balloon, she won't let you scratch her belly !

I walk up to them slowly, talking in a very soft voice. I’m very patient. I’m pretty sure I sound like a complete idiot, and my kids will verify that. It works ever time even on the stompers.

Law Dog that’s awesome. I’ve always wondered what it’s like having a pet skunk. How’d you end up with her?

The blanket trick and very slow movement. I have two holes in my blanket.
One for the handle and one to look through.
I just keep the blanket up and look through the hole.
It's worked so far. Lol

PM sent

It's usually no problem for time and talking to get them calm enough for the pole. I stay as low as possible too - even layed on my belly to deliver the stick at times. Don't freak out if they turn around and flare the stinker. Just freeze. They will often turn right back around and face you seconds later. If they are stomping, time is your friend, they usually settle down. I'm always amazed at what they will put up with. Every now and then accidents happen. Carry cleanup solution and it's not too bad.

If I’m trying to calm them in a trap I just speak softly, walk up slowly, and rub its chin. Rub it gently. Then if you don’t want to risk startlying it and having it spray, slowly move your hand up to the vent and plug it. Now you can dispatch it how you want without the risk of getting sprayed

I loan my cages to a buddy that raises them and a lot of expensive exotic animals one day he asked if I wanted a skunk, she had some rubs on her face (dry skin) so I took her. With a new diet she was 100% and never much of a problem really. I had another one squirt (wild baby) but the 2 did not get along so I had to find a home for that one.

Awesome!

Quite the begger too!

Lots of time and a blanket has never let me down at times I have even checked other traps and came back seems like they kinda know you then. More than one person or a dog is trouble for sure to many things for them to concentrate on and they get upset real quick.