Fennec Fox as Pet

A fennec fox also known as a desert fox, is a small canine that weighs up to 3.3 pounds (1.5kg). There aren’t too many people out there who own a fennec fox, but this creature can make great pet if you take the proper precautions.

Getting to Know the Fennec Fox

Fennec fox acts much like domesticated dogs that are kept as pets. But remember that this type of canine has not been truly domesticated. Therefore, you will need to take special steps to socialize your fennec fox as well as to guard against allowing it to escape.

This animal is a very active and quick canine and they tend to be quite agile. When become pets, these canines tend to adapt to their owner’s schedule. It is somewhat advisable to help your pet get adapted to your schedule as much as possible, as they tend to have a high pitched yap that can be bothersome during the night.

Caring for a Fennec Fox

Although fennec fox is similar to domestic canines, in other ways, there are some differences. Unlike a typical pet dog, these canines prefer a diet that consists of rodents, insects, fruits, plants and reptiles. It only means that the ideal food for your pet would be commercial canned diet that is specifically prepared for wild animals. For some owners, they prefer to give their foxes a mixture of dog food, cat food, fruit and vegetables while others prefer to feed a mix of raw meat, vegetables and some vitamins.

Like any other cat, it is possible to litter train a fennec fox, though some people seem to find the process to be easier. Therefore, whether or not you attempt to litter train your fox or to simply take it outside to use the bathroom is your personal decision to make. Moreover, be certain to give your fox plenty of opportunities for running around outdoors, as they are very active animals that need an outlet for all of their excess energy.

You need to be aware that the fennec fox is a very curious creature that has a tendency to get into everything, which means they also have the tendency to dig. Therefore, if you are keeping your fox outdoors, be certain to keep it in area specifically designed to prevent digging and climbing. Bury your fence well so that the fox cannot dig beneath it. Turning the fence inward will also prevent the fox from escaping the area.

Ferrets as Pets

Looking for a fun pet that is a bit different from the norm? Try to consider purchasing a ferret. Yes! Domestic ferrets are designed to be pets. But before you do, however, here are some of the things you should know about ferrets and on how to properly care for them.

The Ferret Odor

Like any other animal, ferrets have a scent to them. Some people find the odor to be quite unpleasant, while others feel it is not too intense or troublesome. However, a well taken care of ferret, who has been sprayed or neutered, and who has their bedding changed frequently, should have only a very minor scent.

Even if the ferret has been well taken care of, you will still smell the odor coming from its skin glands. So, don’t ever believe that you can completely eliminate the foul odor. Similarly, frequently bathing a ferret will not remove the scent. In fact, bathing will dry the ferret’s skin making the glands produce even more oil which will result to even stronger odor.

You may even try to consider having its glands removed since you were encountering bad odors. Like skunks, ferrets have scent glands that will release a strong odor if it feels threatened. Though ferrets odor is milder than that of the skunks and it can be washed away easily, it can still be quite unpleasant to the owner. For that reason, most ferrets sold as pets in the United States have had their glands removed.


Keeping Ferrets as Pets

Regardless of popular misconception, ferrets are actually domesticated animals that have been kept as pets for hundreds of years. However, you may encounter some problems when purchasing a ferret because the laws where you live may not recognize them as domesticated pets. Therefore, you need to check first the regulations in your area in order to determine whether or not you can own one as a pet.

Before buying a ferret, you should be familiar first with their little quirks. Example, the name “ferret” was taken from a Latin word which means “thief,” and then you will discover why ferrets were given this name. Since ferrets have a tendency to take the items they find laying around the home and hiding them somewhere new, so be sure to keep valuable things out of reach!

On the other hand, ferrets are very playful kind like a permanent kitten. They will chase you around, happily engage in ferret games with you, and try to get your attention to play with them if they feel they are being ignored. Ferrets are very affectionate once they have learned to love and trust you. They can also be cuddly. Not all ferrets are cuddly, but the ones that are can just melt your heart. Ferrets are very intelligent too. They can learn from their mistakes, and rarely make the same mistake more than a few times.

The bottom line is that ferrets can make great pets. Just like any other pets, however, it is important for you to learn more about these furry little creatures as you can before having one. In that way, you can be certain that are purchasing the right type of pet for you.