Will Skunks Kill Kittens?

There are two very important things you need to remember if you have kittens and you live in an area where skunk sightings are frequent: skunks CAN and WILL kill kittens. 

Skunks are usually a bit larger than many homeowners expect — around the same kind of size as the average, happy house cat. An adult cat would be able to stand its ground quite happily against a skunk, but do occasionally come out of it worse. In most cases, the skunk will spray the cat before it chooses to fight, although battle isn't out of the question. 

When skunks go into battle, they do so with the foul-smelling spray, as well as sharp teeth and claws. Biting, lashing and scratching are surefire ways the skunk will try to defend itself against the cat, but the spray can do just as much damage, causing respiratory problems and temporary blindness, as well as emanating that vile stench. 

Any animal that is sprayed in the face by a skunk is vulnerable. With potential temporary blindness, respiratory problems, and blind panic, the skunk does have a sudden advantage. 

Kittens are particularly vulnerable because they do not yet have the full means to be able to defend themselves against a vicious animal like the skunk. It might look cute and furry, but don't let the animal lure you into a false sense of security. They are incredibly vicious, especially when a mother is trying to defend her young, and the same can be said for ALL wild animals. You should not assume they are tame and friendly just because they look it, because they are rarely that friendly at all. 

Kittens and adult cats are also in danger of contract a potentially deadly disease from skunks. If your feline friend has not yet been vaccinated against the rabies virus, the skunk could easily pass it along, and that's just the tip of the iceberg as far as skunk diseases go. You can add such treats as tularaemia, Q-fever, canine hepatitis, listeriosis, canine distemper, leptospirosis, and a whole bunch more to the list. Not all of these will affect cats, but some of them can be carried by cats to then infect other household members, such as people and dogs/other pet species. 

If you have kittens, do not let them come into contact with wildlife. Even when they are fully vaccinated and old enough to be exploring out in the wild, skunks are still a potential threat, and any sightings should be responded to quickly and efficiently. 



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