Perhaps you have thought that taming a fox is an impossible mission, we have to clarify through this post that this is not the case, after many practices and investigations, today you can have a pet fox that can have a behavior similar to that of a dog.
What is a fox?
The fox is a carnivorous mammal whose species is grouped in the canidae family, that is, it is a relative of the dog, the wolf and the coyote. Currently we can say that there are more than 30 species of foxes that can inhabit various regions of the world. , although only 12 of them can be considered real foxes.
You should know that in the year 1960, a geneticist began experiments on fox offspring and was able to achieve what seemed impossible to many people, which was to domesticate these animals.
Is the Fox a Wild or Domestic animal?
The wild fox is a species that has not been domesticated by human beings as if it were a dog or cat, that means that this animal is not able to cohabit with human beings in its environment.
It is for this reason that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty has ruled that wild foxes should not be kept in captivity and if the opportunity arises to find an abandoned one, then we should try to locate it in a wildlife shelter. , with the intention that professionals take care of it.
Keeping a wild animal captive without knowing what the care and food, social and temperamental needs are, could put the physical and emotional health of these species at serious risk, which could generate diseases such as anxiety, stress, depression, among others.
What to do if you find a Fox badly injured or alone?
If this event were to happen and due to life situations we come across a fox cub badly injured or alone, it is best to leave it where it is, keeping a safe distance and just observe it in order to determine if it can fend for itself or No, since in the case of babies it could happen that their mother is nearby or hunting, and returns later to take care of her cub.
Now, if for some reason we notice that the puppy is in danger or is badly injured, then we must make an emergency call and request telephone numbers of animal protection agents to help him, since they must know the steps to follow, being specialists in the field.
It should be noted that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty disapproves the adoption of foxes as domestic pets and this is because foxes are wild animals, therefore they should not live in captivity, as it is not their lifestyle. not the one they should have.
Can you have a Fox as a Pet?
Foxes are very different from dogs and any other member of the canine family, they generally have solitary and nocturnal habits, they do not communicate with barks, since they do so through body posture, tail movements and howling, it is That is why many people have wondered if it would be possible to have a pet foxYou should know that the answer is yes.
On the other hand, we must be aware that this is a decision that must be carefully studied before being taken, since having a fox is not the same as adopting a dog or a cat, because these are animals with greater demands in their care. , as in the food, the environment where they live, the control of their temperament and the activities they carry out.
choose a pet fox It could also depend on the region where the possible owner lives, since a fox of the same species could have different classifications depending on the region where it is found, such as non-domesticated species, native wildlife, among others.
Where can I get a Fox?
According to a wide variety of published articles, there is talk that in the 70s there was a company that sold foxes that were bred in a laboratory. Although there are those who say that these animals come from Siberia and were taken to a sanctuary in the United States of America.
However, currently in this region of America, more specifically in the state of Indiana, there is a lot of illicit sale of exotic animals, including foxes, and these are places where it is said to sell some types of foxes trained to live with the man, but until now none of those found in this region have been domesticated, unlike the Siberian foxes that can become pets.
On the other hand, those found in North America are wild, and these animals can become very aggressive, but unfortunately there are people who have very dark desires and dream of having this type of exotic animal, although it is a desire that is more inclined towards to cruelty.
With these animals, it is best not to adopt them if they have never been domesticated, because it can become very dangerous. It is important not to forget that domesticating an animal also depends on genetics, they are not only behaviors that are learned, since they must arrive by instinct.
On the other hand, for people who are lovers of these animals and want a tame fox, you should know that you can already find the Siberian fox in the United States, which is a fox that can be tamed and its cost is $8.000 and up, you can choose between different colors and everything is totally legal.
Is it legal to have a fox as a pet?
There are several kinds of foxes that are in danger of becoming extinct, but they are protected by the CITES agreement, which means that they tend to be illegal or highly controlled, for example; In Spain there is an animal protection and animal welfare law, which considers the fox as a wild animal that is subjected to captivity, and mentions the rules that the owners of these animals must comply with:
- To have a fox in captivity, its legal origin must be accredited, as stipulated in the health, trade and nature conservation regulations, together with the other regulations that are applied as the case may be.
- The owner or owner of a captive wild animal is fully responsible for its care, welfare and protection as provided by law.
- In order to keep these wild animals in captivity, the authorization of the competent ministry in matters of animal protection will be mandatory. You must identify the animal by means of a microchip depending on the legal procedures.
- In the case of having wild animals that belong to species declared as invasive exotics, the requirements established in the regulations governing the same will be applied.
- Animals that belong to species that are under the applicable regulations in which the competent authorities responsible for their protection and custody collect, especially wild species sheltered under the special regime of hunting species and declared as invasive exotics.
All this means that in Spain having a fox as a pet is legal, although its origin must be certified and to have these animals as a pet, it is necessary to have all the documentation in order, whether it is an endangered species, not threatened or endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.
Fox as Pet
There are some differences between fox classes and people, so to be sure whether or not we have to have a pet fox, first we must observe its behavior, since the fox has limited behavior of the species and it is complicated to make it part of the Domestic animals.
The behavior of these animals can be uncomfortable depending on our way of life, that means that these animals like to run, walk and jump, which is why they need to live in a spacious place where they can do all their physical activity freely. It should also be considered that these animals like to mark their territory with their feces and urine, this is a reproductive technique that is part of their nature.
They also love to spend their days playing with other foxes, that means that to keep our pet happy and in a good mood, we would have to adopt two individuals of the same species, since these are animals that they love. They like to live in herds, although they also show aggression among themselves because of food.
Individuals who wish to have this species as a pet must know all the information about them and ensure that the laws of that region approve their adoption, otherwise, it will not be possible to carry out the adoption process. It is always good to make sure if it is legal to have an exotic animal as a pet in the place where you live.
Fox care as a pet
The most important thing when it comes to adopt fox, is to know all the care and attention that this species needs to enjoy good health and emotional well-being. Next we will tell you what care a fox should have:
Fox feeding as a pet
It must be fed punctually with dog food, always trying to provide them with a diet similar to what they have when they are in the wild, such as the prey of their hunts.
A project on foxes suggests that the diet of these animals should be 95% meat, such as rabbits, rats, birds and smaller mammals, the diet should also have 4% insects and worms, while the remaining 1% It can be complemented by some fruit or vegetable.
The excrement of a fox should be very consistent and formed, as long as it enjoys a good diet, otherwise you can see that its hair is in poor condition or its weight is out of the ordinary, these are signs that there is something wrong with your diet.
According to a study carried out on the nutrition of foxes, it is established that it is necessary to avoid exceeding the amount of protein during the summer months, the excessive use of cod oil and fatty meat, for this reason it is important to give them supplements of vitamins B and C, potassium iodide and liver.
Physical Exercise and Mental Stimulation in Foxes
Foxes are animals that love to run, jump and play a lot, they spend most of their time doing this type of exercise, whenever they are not asleep they spend their time playing around, which is why they need a spacious place to perform their activities. activities, such as marking territory, digging, sniffing, among others.
Foxes love toys that are designed for dogs, as these stimulate them a lot when playing and help them develop their intellect. On the other hand, toys that are created specifically for the mental stimulation of canines also help them a lot during their development, such as tunnels or resistant balls.
Fox Health and Preventive Medicine
It is almost mandatory that at the time of making the decision to adopt a pet fox, it is taken to the veterinarian specialized in exotic pets to do the necessary tests that guarantee its good health, also to give it its corresponding vaccines, just as you would with a dog or cat.
To avoid future illnesses, it is necessary to take it periodically to its visits with the veterinarian, this with the intention that it be regularly dewormed, in addition to the fact that the most correct thing is that both its doctor and its owner, keep a check on the state of the animal, and Any abnormality that it may present is recorded.
Types of fox as a pet
We already know that adopting a fox is possible in several countries around the world, so below we will mention the different breeds of fox that can be tamed.
fennec fox
It is also known as the desert fox and has been kept as a pet for a long time, as its adorable appearance has made it a great favorite among lovers of exotic species. It is one of the species that is most traded for domestication, which is why it has some breeding places in different regions of the world.
The fennec fox is the smallest of all the foxes in the world, they have large ears that do not seem to match the size of their body, their fur is cream colored with a black-tipped tail, their behavior is friendly and they have a long life expectancy. lifetime.
These foxes are native to the Sahara desert and other countries in North Africa, the fennec has more than one adaptation to the environment where it has had to survive, that is, its nightlife and some physical adaptations have helped them survive the night heat , in addition to having some physiological adaptations that help them cope with the exhausting heat of the desert
Their long and thick hair helps them protect themselves from the sun, in addition to protecting them from the nights when it is very cold, they have hairy legs that help them to walk in the desert sand and protect them when it falls snow or when the sand is very hot, they can also dig with them, so these foxes make their homes in underground dens.
In a National Geographic magazine publication dedicated to these foxes, it is mentioned that they are exploited eaters, which means that they naturally feed on plants, rodents, eggs, reptiles and insects. Like most desert dwellers, the fennec fox has the natural ability to go long periods without drinking water and will be able to survive just as well.
They have a behavior similar to that of dogs, but since they are not domesticated, they require more careful socialization, it is not recommended that they live in homes with small children or other pets that may be injured. It was previously noted that house training can be difficult at times, so people who want to have one as a pet should take precautions to prevent it from escaping.
Silver Fox
This is a very peculiar breed, which was motivated and directed to obtain adaptable physical characteristics, for this reason, its reproduction and classification is so thorough, that thanks to this, its qualities deviated from what it initially turned out to be of this breed. family.
These silver foxes have different types of fur, and this is the most attractive feature of this species, as some are grayish-bluish in color, others are almost black, except for the tips of the hairs. In appearance, these foxes are unique and it is very difficult to obtain such a beautiful and characteristic specimen.
With this type of fox, as with the others, the taming process will be difficult and it is recommended to be very careful when doing it, since not only could the human being be injured, but also that the animal turns out to be hurt, so extreme dedication and patience with the fox is recommended.
Red fox
El Red fox It is less famous than the fennec fox, they are a species that can have a behavior similar to that of dogs if they are tamed correctly, although they can always retain many wild characteristics from their wild life, which means that the Humans present many challenges when it comes to training them, however, many of these animals turn out to be excellent companions.
It is mostly larger than the fennec fox, with a stronger body sweat and they need more spaces to play and dig, those who want to have one of these in their home will have to know that this fox can jump up to almost 2 meters tall, in addition to being an intelligent and cunning animal.
Some studies carried out in Estonia on red foxes in urban areas indicate that they are crepuscular animals with nocturnal tendencies, that they love to rummage through garbage, and that they attack other animals normally and frequently, more specifically cats and poultry, it is for this reason that we must be alert to any aggressive behavior during the first years of life.
These species inhabit different regions around the world, they are Forest animals, plains, mountains, and deserts, can also adapt very well to humans and their environments, such as farms, suburban areas, and large communities. In their natural habitat they are solitary hunters, feeding on rabbits, rodents, birds, and smaller animals, although it all depends on where they are living.
This species can even eat fruits and vegetables, fish, frogs and worms, although when they live among people they can eat opportunistically, taking advantage of garbage or the food of other pets.
arctic fox
The arctic fox is one of the smallest, resistant and can survive the adverse temperatures of the Arctic, they have white fur, very small ears and a short snout, which helps them a lot in these types of climate.
These are considered non-domesticated animals in most of the planet, while the IUCN considers them one of the species of least concern, because they are normally very stable. The arctic fox feeds on rodents, birds and even fish, they can eat vegetables as long as they are within their reach, their care is the same or very similar to that of the red fox.
The best thing with this particular species is to leave it free, since by moving or locking these foxes in places where they will not feel so confident and independent, then they could try to escape on many occasions, or they could end up becoming depressed, which would significantly affect your physical and emotional health.
