I know it does, but why does skunk attract coyotes and cats? I use it and believe it helps especially in colder weather. But, what does a skunk have that attracts canines and felines? Is it novelty? Is it insects they are digging up? Skunks consumed? Never had a live skunk killed by a coyote or bobcat....
Some of you smarter folks - what does skunk and its essence bring that attracts and why?

most powerful longest lasting/reaching smell for one. second i believe because skunks are associated with garbage or dead stuff/food so they instinctively want to check it out.

Around me in Missouri - I would say skunks are more associated with insect grubbing and I would not really associate skunks with dead stuff like I do opossums. Not disagreeing but I just have a genuine interest in what "by instinct" coyotes and bobcats are looking for when they decide to go check out a skunk.
Observations from North Dakota where we caught skunks in our coyote traps we stood a good chance to catch coyotes - would say it improved the set. Caught a badger and never would catch a coyote in the set...

If a predator gets skunk on itself, it doesn't smell like a predator too it's pray.
It just smells like a harmless skunk.
Just how I interpret their attraction to it

Have you ever caught a female fox in february?

Many, why

The sulphide chemical chains in skunk must are very similar to the two sulphide chemical chains produced by fox scent glands.

For years, I had a very stinky, very old looking male fox, that lived on our farm, that would come within 6' of me when I was dumping eggs that didn't hatch. He smelled very similar to a skunk. I could usually smell him long before I saw him.

Keith

Why would a skunk ever spray? Something was probably going down there, and skunks are scavengers too. There’s usually food around them somewhere.
It’s like a school year scrap. That smell is like yelling “fight fight fight” and everyone comes running to watch the action before the teachers get there……lol

I think the attraction is a combination of curiosity and wanting a cover scent. Skunk essence will trigger a rolling response in canines.

I've never had a predator attack or kill a caught skunk but did have a vulture eat a dead one I was leaving "blow off" until the next check.

Critters check odors out.Curiosity,hungar,etc.