Iowa Is One Of The Only States That Lets This Animal Legally Be A Pet

Iowa has some unique laws that make us stand out and that includes one about what animals you can own as pets.

When we think of pets, we think of dogs, cats, fish, birds, and maybe snakes if you're more adventurous. Pet parents love our little animals because they bring us comfort, and even though they take some extra work and TLC, we're happy to do it because we love them.

A lot of animals have become domesticated by this point and not every pet parent-to-be wants a conventional pet.

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Okay, so maybe a pet alligator isn't the best idea. But Iowa does stand out as one state that allows for a really unique animal to be a pet, whereas most other states consider it illegal. It's an animal that can (and really has to if it's a pet) live indoors but there's one main difference to dispel with it.

In Iowa, You Can Own A Particularly Stinky Animal

According to World Population Review, in Iowa, it's perfectly legal for you to own a pet skunk with no permit.

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There are only 3 states that allow that. It's only legal in Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming to have a pet skunk with no permit. In 12 other states, you can have a pet skunk but it's subject to regulations, permits, an application, and even home inspections.

But It Needs To Be A Certain Kind Of Skunk

Before you run out into the woods and try to catch a skunk to slap a collar on it, you should know there's a difference between a domesticated skunk and a wild skunk. Mainly, it's the scent glands.

When baby skunk pets are about 3 weeks old, their scent glands are removed so they can't stink up your house (there's a debate about whether or not this is humane since the spray is their form of defense). For that reason, pet skunks need to be strictly indoor pets.

For what should be obvious reasons, don't try to get a wild skunk as a pet. You'll be sprayed and that would be gross.