Pet Foxes - The Truth!
This page is about the larger foxes: Reds, Marbles & Silvers in the US
For info on Fennec foxes visit out Fennec page
Fennecs are the best pet fox however, because of their small size they are far easier to care for.
For info on Fennec foxes visit out Fennec page
Fennecs are the best pet fox however, because of their small size they are far easier to care for.
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# 1. The pet foxes sold by breeders in the US are NOT from the Russian foxes bred for domesticity since the 50's. Those simply are NOT available. All of the pet foxes bred and sold in the US are from Fur Fox stock. Yes they have been bred on farms for decades but they have not been bred for temperament. They have been bred for their fur quality. Some breeders are beginning to breed for pet quality but it is very early to see replicated results and still very uncommon. They generally cost between $300 & $1000.
#2. Pet foxes are illegal or require specialized permits in nearly all states, cities, and counties in the US. Check your laws first. Confiscated foxes are killed. They are not relocated to rescues. You cannot hide your fox if it is illegal, someone will turn you in eventually. Your fox will need veterinary care as well.
#3. It is very hard to find a veterinarian who will care for your pet fox even if it kept legally. Foxes need to be spayed & neutered, have annual check ups, blood work, and rabies and distemper vaccines. There are no approved vaccines for foxes for rabies so if your fox is accused of biting someone it will have to be quarantined and possibly killed even if it has had shots.
#4. Foxes are NOT like cats or dogs! They are Foxes! Foxes only bond with one or two people and generally do not like anyone else. Of course there are exceptions, but in general being around anyone other than their bonded person for any length of time will stress them to the point of harming their health. They are not generally trustworthy on a leash or harness outdoors either. They can chew through it or slip out and will likely run off as they do not come to their name. Some will respond to their name by looking at you and some will come to you if you have a treat, but if they get loose outside they are generally lost forever.
#5. Foxes do not potty train. Of course all are different. There will be a rare fox that uses a litter box most of the time, but the majority do not use one at all or only 50%. In nature foxes pee and poop on every single thing they claim. So as pets they will full on pee and poop on their food, in their water bowl, on their bed, their toys, YOUR keyboard, your chair, your bed, your FOOD!
#6. Foxes are very destructive. They will tear up your floor, tear out your wall, eat your computer components and wiring, shred your purse, everything. The only way to minimize this is constant enrichment, plenty of food and treats. Most people cannot devote over half their lives to entertaining their pet fox. They will need a very large indoor enclosure where they can be kept safe if you are gone or sleeping as well.
#7. No vacations. No weekends getaways. No one else will be able to care for your fox and he certainly cannot go to a kennel. He will go into depression or become so anxious he won't eat if you are not around every single day.
#8. Many people start out with a house fox but as they become too hard to handle they end up needing to build an outdoor enclosure that is totally escape proof usually costing thousands of dollars and needing special permits.
#9. Foxes do not cuddle. As babies they are very lovable, but so is a baby bear cub. As adults for the majority of their 10-15 year lifespan they will choose the few very precious moments that they allow you to pet them or even hold them. The videos you see of foxes being loved on are those rare moments. It is not up to you. You do not approach the fox and try to pick him up, especially if he is in a corner. He will tear you up. Even that sweet fox that sleeps in your bed when HE wants to. If he is threatened even by you he will bite - hard. I personally have scars of being bitten through welding gloves by our red fox while trying to have him vaccinated. They generally have to be tranquilized for any such procedures. My Tod the red fox who again will sleep beside me, let me love on him & kiss his face when HE chooses has also shredded my jaw when he was cornered in an emergency and there was no time for appropriate procedure.
#10. Foxes SMELL, Bad. Fox urine smells like extra strength skunk spray. It is very hard to keep ahead of the smell since they pee on everything. You need to keep furniture covered in washable covers, mop the floors and wash down cabinets etc daily. They themselves have a musky odor which is lessened by spaying and neutering but it is still there.
#11. If you cannot keep your fox there are very few places he can go and live safely. He is not wild, he cannot be released- it is illegal and he will die because he has no idea how to care for himself. Most people or rescues who accept the larger foxes are overfull. They generally do not bond with new owners and the results can be disastrous. It is likely that he will simply be euthanized- killed- because you got into something you could not handle.
#12. Visit someone in person with a large fox before you buy one. See the accommodations, smell the smells, learn how much time and effort it takes to keep the fox appropriately. There are pet fox owner groups on Facebook where you can meet people that have them already.
#13. They may or may not like your current pets. They may want to eat them or they may be afraid of them or they may become friends. If you have any prey animals- birds, rats, hamsters etc you will need to have them kept in areas of your home that the fox cannot get to.
Do not hesitate to contact us here at Critter Camp with questions at any time! We would rather educate than intake!
One indoor house fox owner that has done an amazing job is Noel with Loki The Red Fox - check out his Youtube channel here!
Pay close attention to his accurate explanations of the obstacles to caring for a house fox!
Remember most videos show the good stuff, the fun times, the best parts- even our videos do that- it is what people want to see. Now if you are brave and still considering a house fox check out the pics below:
#2. Pet foxes are illegal or require specialized permits in nearly all states, cities, and counties in the US. Check your laws first. Confiscated foxes are killed. They are not relocated to rescues. You cannot hide your fox if it is illegal, someone will turn you in eventually. Your fox will need veterinary care as well.
#3. It is very hard to find a veterinarian who will care for your pet fox even if it kept legally. Foxes need to be spayed & neutered, have annual check ups, blood work, and rabies and distemper vaccines. There are no approved vaccines for foxes for rabies so if your fox is accused of biting someone it will have to be quarantined and possibly killed even if it has had shots.
#4. Foxes are NOT like cats or dogs! They are Foxes! Foxes only bond with one or two people and generally do not like anyone else. Of course there are exceptions, but in general being around anyone other than their bonded person for any length of time will stress them to the point of harming their health. They are not generally trustworthy on a leash or harness outdoors either. They can chew through it or slip out and will likely run off as they do not come to their name. Some will respond to their name by looking at you and some will come to you if you have a treat, but if they get loose outside they are generally lost forever.
#5. Foxes do not potty train. Of course all are different. There will be a rare fox that uses a litter box most of the time, but the majority do not use one at all or only 50%. In nature foxes pee and poop on every single thing they claim. So as pets they will full on pee and poop on their food, in their water bowl, on their bed, their toys, YOUR keyboard, your chair, your bed, your FOOD!
#6. Foxes are very destructive. They will tear up your floor, tear out your wall, eat your computer components and wiring, shred your purse, everything. The only way to minimize this is constant enrichment, plenty of food and treats. Most people cannot devote over half their lives to entertaining their pet fox. They will need a very large indoor enclosure where they can be kept safe if you are gone or sleeping as well.
#7. No vacations. No weekends getaways. No one else will be able to care for your fox and he certainly cannot go to a kennel. He will go into depression or become so anxious he won't eat if you are not around every single day.
#8. Many people start out with a house fox but as they become too hard to handle they end up needing to build an outdoor enclosure that is totally escape proof usually costing thousands of dollars and needing special permits.
#9. Foxes do not cuddle. As babies they are very lovable, but so is a baby bear cub. As adults for the majority of their 10-15 year lifespan they will choose the few very precious moments that they allow you to pet them or even hold them. The videos you see of foxes being loved on are those rare moments. It is not up to you. You do not approach the fox and try to pick him up, especially if he is in a corner. He will tear you up. Even that sweet fox that sleeps in your bed when HE wants to. If he is threatened even by you he will bite - hard. I personally have scars of being bitten through welding gloves by our red fox while trying to have him vaccinated. They generally have to be tranquilized for any such procedures. My Tod the red fox who again will sleep beside me, let me love on him & kiss his face when HE chooses has also shredded my jaw when he was cornered in an emergency and there was no time for appropriate procedure.
#10. Foxes SMELL, Bad. Fox urine smells like extra strength skunk spray. It is very hard to keep ahead of the smell since they pee on everything. You need to keep furniture covered in washable covers, mop the floors and wash down cabinets etc daily. They themselves have a musky odor which is lessened by spaying and neutering but it is still there.
#11. If you cannot keep your fox there are very few places he can go and live safely. He is not wild, he cannot be released- it is illegal and he will die because he has no idea how to care for himself. Most people or rescues who accept the larger foxes are overfull. They generally do not bond with new owners and the results can be disastrous. It is likely that he will simply be euthanized- killed- because you got into something you could not handle.
#12. Visit someone in person with a large fox before you buy one. See the accommodations, smell the smells, learn how much time and effort it takes to keep the fox appropriately. There are pet fox owner groups on Facebook where you can meet people that have them already.
#13. They may or may not like your current pets. They may want to eat them or they may be afraid of them or they may become friends. If you have any prey animals- birds, rats, hamsters etc you will need to have them kept in areas of your home that the fox cannot get to.
Do not hesitate to contact us here at Critter Camp with questions at any time! We would rather educate than intake!
One indoor house fox owner that has done an amazing job is Noel with Loki The Red Fox - check out his Youtube channel here!
Pay close attention to his accurate explanations of the obstacles to caring for a house fox!
Remember most videos show the good stuff, the fun times, the best parts- even our videos do that- it is what people want to see. Now if you are brave and still considering a house fox check out the pics below:
Poop in the bathroom sink
Kitchen counter
Looking guilty after peeing inside the open jar of peanut butter
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Floor torn up in about 5 minutes
Letting us know it's his water too
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Just letting us know it's his food
Claiming the stove and the chew stick
Claiming the cup
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