Caring For Pet Foxes
Foxes are not usually kept as pets but many people wouldn't trade their pet foxes for any other type of pet. They are gentle and friendly and have no trouble bonding with humans. Foxes are said to act like a cross between a cat and a dog. They have characteristics that are similar to both. They can make friends with the family dog and even get into barking matches with it. They can also hunt things like mice and groundhogs and bring them to you, just like a cat. Pet foxes can be a nice family pet but there are important things to know when raising them.
Foxes belong to the canidae family and there are around 37 species of this animal. They can be found on almost every continent throughout the world and the most common type of fox is the red fox. They are a bit smaller than a regular sized dog and they have bushy tails and a long snout. They can live up to ten years in the right conditions but most of the time they will only live out a full two years. This is because of accidents, hunters and diseases. Males can weigh up to thirteen pounds and most females can reach up to eleven pounds. They come in a variety of colors which include red, gray or tan. The smallest variety of fox is the fennec fox.
When keeping pet foxes, the owner should realize that they are in fact wild animals. They have needs that other family pets do not and if they are not comfortable and happy with their surroundings their health may become negatively affected. Owners should attempt to encourage their natural behaviors.
It may not be such a good idea to keep these pet foxes enclosed in a home. It is a better idea to prepare a cage outdoors for the animal. Along with this cage, there should be a way for the fox to walk freely any time it wants to. A pet door or small opening should be added to the cage. The cage should be large enough for the animal to freely move around, with a bit of extra space. It should be wired mesh so that the animal can always see what is happening around the cage area. Sand needs to be added to the bottom of the cage because foxes live to dig. They may try to dig or borrow a hole under the wire mesh fence. This can be avoided by setting the cage on a concrete foundation. Make sure to place the cage in an area that does not have much activity. This can annoy the fox so that it cannot properly rest.
Although foxes love to hunt and eat smaller creatures, it may be a better idea to feed them dry dog food or kibble. You can make sure that it is a high quality food, so that the fox gets all of the vitamins and nutrients. If the fox is allowed to hunt for food, it opens him up to diseases and illnesses from other animals.
You can bond with a fox by brushing its long hair. But you must start this process when it is young so that it becomes used to it. This can remove tangles and matting from the fox’s hair and over time it will enjoy the extra attention. This can also make the fox calmer and happier around humans.
The last but most important tip on caring for foxes is, to find a veterinarian to care for the animal. Make sure that the veterinarian is used to caring for foxes and has plenty of experience in doing just that. He can suggest the proper dog food for the animal and make sure that it has all of its vaccines.