A tame fox can make a good pet. Foxes are often referred to as big kittens, or a mix of cat and dog. Since foxes are not common pets, special care will be taken to ensure that they are officially allowed pets in your area, and that you should also prepare a special enclosure for these exotic pets. Foxes are not adapted to the home environment like cats or dogs. So, make sure to think about a few important things that might be a problem when trying to keep wild animals in your home.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up an Outdoor Place for the Foxes
Step 1. Build a fenced cage
Foxes that used to live outdoors had to be fenced off, or they would run away to hunt or explore. Choose an area of approximately 9.2 m2. Purchase a large wire fence to use as a fox enclosure.
- Try to choose an enclosed area that is protected from wind and direct sunlight.
- Choose a place with firm soil rather than a wet or muddy area.
Step 2. Dig 0.9 m of soil and drive the fence into the excavated soil
Foxes will dig into the ground to escape from their cage, so the depth of the fence should be below ground level.
- Cement floors are more effective at preventing foxes from digging under fences, but cement floors can injure fox claws. Be sure to coat the cement floor with soil or leaves.
- Another option you can do is to bury the chain link underground. This can keep the fox cooped up even if it digs underground.
Step 3. Make the top of the fox's cage
The fenced cage should be closed to keep the fox from climbing out.
Step 4. Add the houses for the dog
Houses for large dogs can be used as places for foxes to rest and relax. Fill it with blankets, straw, other objects that can warm the fox's body when it sleeps.
Step 5. Put in some toys
Foxes are active and love to play with toys. Try a few different toys and find out which one he likes. Your fox may like:
- Tunnel made for dogs
- Ball
- Chewing toys for dogs or cats
- Toys made of cloth
- Even sticks or twigs make great toys!
Step 6. Add a bowl of water and food
Be sure to use a very heavy container. Just like dogs, foxes also love to flip light containers for fun.
Step 7. Add a shelter
Find a way to provide shelter for your fox enclosure. Protect the top of the cage with a tarp or make a large enough roof area.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Foxes in the House
Step 1. Make sure your home is pet safe
Foxes can make a mess of your home, so make sure you're as prepared as you are when you raise a puppy or cat. You should cover switches, clean areas of your home, and try to minimize places where foxes can hide, such as the back of a sofa.
- Some foxes can learn to live indoors, but foxes are still wild animals so be prepared to take care of them as foxes are quite difficult to keep indoors.
- Even foxes that live indoors often need an outdoor enclosure. Foxes love to run and play so foxes need an outdoor area. It is not advisable to leave your fox alone unattended indoors, so you will need an outdoor cage for your fox if you are going outside.
Step 2. Prepare the sandbox
Foxes can be trained to use the litter box like cats.
- A protected litter box is a good choice, as foxes love to dig.
- All sizes of litter boxes for cats can be used.
- Sometimes, foxes cannot be trained to use a litter box because they are wild animals. Consider this before choosing a fox as a pet.
Step 3. Prepare food and beverage containers
Use heavy containers for the fox's food and drink so the fox can't turn it over.
Step 4. Buy some toys
Buy some toys for your fox to play with in the house.
Even if your fox has toys outside, you should provide extra toys indoors so that dirty toys don't get carried into the house
Step 5. Find a pet bed
Buy a good bed for your fox. Some foxes love to sleep with you in bed, but others prefer to have their own bed. Foxes can behave like cats at times like these.
Step 6. Buy a comb
Foxes shed their fur during the harsh dry season, so fox fur should be brushed regularly.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of a Pet Fox
Step 1. Check your local laws
Foxes are illegal animals to keep in some areas. Although allowed, foxes are considered exotic pets and will require a permit to keep them. Make sure you have permission to keep a fox before buying or adopting it.
- Check your state and local laws. Even if your country allows keeping foxes, the area where you live may not necessarily allow it.
- Look for information about state regulations on this website (especially for the people of the United States)
Step 2. Find a veterinarian
Find a veterinarian in your area who will treat or examine a fox. Finding a vet for your fox is of utmost importance. Your fox will need vaccines, medication, regular checkups, and medical treatment just like any other pet.
- Not all veterinarians are qualified to treat foxes, and many veterinarians are unwilling to treat exotic animals. Be sure to find a veterinarian who can care for your fox.
- Find a vet before you treat a fox. Finding a veterinarian who is able and willing to work with animals that are not commonly kept as pets is very difficult.
- Annual checkups are a great way to keep your fox healthy.
- Keep a record of all of your fox's medical records just in case something goes wrong.
Step 3. Consider other pets
Don't keep a fox if you have other pets that are smaller than a fox. Foxes prey on small animals in the wild, so don't keep your fox around small animals, especially birds or rodents.
Do not leave the fox with other animals unattended
Step 4. Buy special fox food
Foxes are omnivores, so they eat a wide variety of foods. Feed your fox a moderate amount of high-quality dog food, and talk to your vet about other food options.
- Fox's diet can be added with meat and vegetables to complement the nutrition of a regular dog food. Check with the vet first.
- Don't use dry dog food all day long. Try adding a can of wet cat food mixed with vegetables to your fox's diet once a month.
Step 5. Choose fox food carefully
Work with your veterinarian to come up with a list of foods that should not be fed to your fox. Never feed a fox anything that could hurt a cat or dog. Common foods that can hurt a fox include:
- Avocado
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Green eggplant
- Paprika
- Tomatoes
- Green Potato
- Macadamia nuts and walnuts
- Apple, cherry and peach seeds
- Xylitol
Step 6. Keep your fox chained, tagged, and leashed
Always keep your fox in chains or lock it in a cage when outdoors. The fox will prey on other animals, including neighbors' pets, even if he is not hungry. Give your fox a necklace and a marker so that if your fox escapes, it won't be mistaken for a wild fox.
Step 7. Get the fox to exercise
Foxes are energetic animals, so foxes need lots of exercise. Exercising for about an hour or two a day is enough to make the fox feel tired.
Step 8. Use a shield or harness when walking the fox
The necklace is only used as a means of identification. So the leash must be tied to the harness because if you tie it to a necklace, your fox could suffocate.
Step 9. Keep your fox teeth healthy
Foxes, like dogs and cats, have tooth decay problems, so brushing their teeth is a must-do activity. You should brush your fox's teeth once a week or every 3 days, depending on your fox's diet.
Warning
- Possessing a fox illegally can get you fined or imprisoned, and in some cases, can get the fox killed.
- Be sure to keep vaccine papers or other important documents in a safe place.
