Diet and Adopting
This section of the site covers the diet of a fox and how you would go about adopting one, such as the pricing, introducing them to other pets, and selecting a proper breeder.
I Want a Fox!
We get asked this question so much we don't even answer anymore sometimes. People ask us how to get a pet fox, where can they get a pet fox without doing any research about them. Animals looking for a rehome are rare. Most likely if you have done your research and found a veterinarian willing to treat one, you will have to go through a breeder. Below are some steps on how to get ready for a fox if you are determined to get one. I would recommend a dog from a shelter first, but as long as you are prepared for this animal whose life will now depend on you solely for up to 18 years, and will most likely not act like a dog, then proceed.
The biggest thing to remember is that you should not get rid of your fox if it doesn't act the way you expect. They tend to calm down (as much as foxes can) after 1 - 2 years.
Diet: This is a tricky subject to discuss. While there are many opinions out on the internet, you need to make sure you consult someone who has experience. First and foremost we recommend you contact your veterinarian to verify the diet you are feeding your fox will work. A diet closest to what your species of fox would eat in the wild is best.
We get asked this question so much we don't even answer anymore sometimes. People ask us how to get a pet fox, where can they get a pet fox without doing any research about them. Animals looking for a rehome are rare. Most likely if you have done your research and found a veterinarian willing to treat one, you will have to go through a breeder. Below are some steps on how to get ready for a fox if you are determined to get one. I would recommend a dog from a shelter first, but as long as you are prepared for this animal whose life will now depend on you solely for up to 18 years, and will most likely not act like a dog, then proceed.
The biggest thing to remember is that you should not get rid of your fox if it doesn't act the way you expect. They tend to calm down (as much as foxes can) after 1 - 2 years.
Diet: This is a tricky subject to discuss. While there are many opinions out on the internet, you need to make sure you consult someone who has experience. First and foremost we recommend you contact your veterinarian to verify the diet you are feeding your fox will work. A diet closest to what your species of fox would eat in the wild is best.
|
That being said, we have been pet trainers, veterinary technicians, and have worked with many many foxes and exotic animals from tigers to flying squirrels. While foxes are omnivorous, they will choose meaty foods over herbivorous foods any day. Some feed their foxes raw diets, which is fine if you know what you are doing, and some feed a mixture of cooked foods, fruits and veggies, and dry food, which also is fine (and makes their feces and urine smell less).
Foxes should NEVER EVER be fed a vegetarian or vegan diet. This will lead to liver, kidney, and heart failure, fast. While the fox might seem healthy, foxes are experts at masking symptoms, and over time the organs start to fail and they may not even show symptoms for years until the damage is irreversible and it is too late. They will die a painful death. If you want a pet that eats vegetarian or vegan foods, get a hamster or a bunny. All foxes, even if given a dry food, need high taurine in their diet, an essential amino acid, to help with their reflective retina called the tapetum in their eyes like cats have. This helps them see in the dark at night, since most foxes are nocturnal. Each fox species is slightly different, and you should try to keep their diet as close to the wild as possible. For example, if you have a Kit Fox and because of your situation you can only feed dry and mixed fruits and veggies - plus some meal worms as treats - you should try to feed them a food that has rabbit in it primarily. |
|
While a raw diet is best, a high quality dog food that can help you match what they would normally eat in the wild as best as you can is a feasible option. One of the best kibbles we have found though is the Ultimate Protein Canine Chicken. Grains in their food is not a great choice, as they would not ingest much grain in the wild.
Fennecs specifically for example, need more UVB, calcium, and vitamin D. Fennecs need about 93 IU to 140IU per day of vitamin D based on how much they eat, while red fox studies showed they only need 82 IU vitamin D per 100g of food. 28g of Stella & Chewy's Freeze Dried Herring & Tuna would be a great source for vitamin D. All foxes need a food high in taurine, a vitamin normally found in raw meat, or supplements of it when the diet is lacking. Retinol is something that can be dangerous if overlooked. Retinol isn't like most vitamins which are urinated out if over-ingested. Vitamin A is what Retinol is commonly called, and it will get stored in the body in fat deposits. Most of the time you will hear of Fennecs specifically with kidney problems, and often this is because Retinol has been stored as fatty deposits in the kidneys, and will adversely affect them. Too much Retinol can cause kidney failure, liver disease, and brittle bones that break easily. Too much Retinol will cause a build up in between spine vertebrae, and once foxes start showing symptoms, it will be too late. Foxes are good at hiding their symptoms like cats.
One of the best kibbles to feed is Instinct Ultimate Protein Canine Chicken Kibble. This kibble has only 11800 IU/kg retinol but that is still more than 10 times over the recommendation. This kibble is higher in taurine, and can be mixed with veggies (orange veggies like sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots have been shown to extend a dog's life) and fruit sparingly.
Fennecs specifically for example, need more UVB, calcium, and vitamin D. Fennecs need about 93 IU to 140IU per day of vitamin D based on how much they eat, while red fox studies showed they only need 82 IU vitamin D per 100g of food. 28g of Stella & Chewy's Freeze Dried Herring & Tuna would be a great source for vitamin D. All foxes need a food high in taurine, a vitamin normally found in raw meat, or supplements of it when the diet is lacking. Retinol is something that can be dangerous if overlooked. Retinol isn't like most vitamins which are urinated out if over-ingested. Vitamin A is what Retinol is commonly called, and it will get stored in the body in fat deposits. Most of the time you will hear of Fennecs specifically with kidney problems, and often this is because Retinol has been stored as fatty deposits in the kidneys, and will adversely affect them. Too much Retinol can cause kidney failure, liver disease, and brittle bones that break easily. Too much Retinol will cause a build up in between spine vertebrae, and once foxes start showing symptoms, it will be too late. Foxes are good at hiding their symptoms like cats.
One of the best kibbles to feed is Instinct Ultimate Protein Canine Chicken Kibble. This kibble has only 11800 IU/kg retinol but that is still more than 10 times over the recommendation. This kibble is higher in taurine, and can be mixed with veggies (orange veggies like sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots have been shown to extend a dog's life) and fruit sparingly.
|
Our other tabs show what each fox would eat in the wild, so depending on what species you get, you should try to match it as best you can what they would be eating.
See left for a picture of a fox that has too many retinol build ups in between vertebrae on it's spine. |
|
Dry Foods:
If you are choosing a dry food as your base option, you want to make sure you choose a high quality one for your base food. When looking at the recipe and comparing ingredients, you want to make sure the first item on the list is meat. While rabbit is the best type of meat for some foxes, deboned chicken, chicken, etc. are great examples for others. Know your species and their primary diet first and foremost. If something says 'chicken by-product,' that means that the scraps unfit for human consumption can be included and all ground up. This includes beaks, feathers, etc. Avoid any food that has meat by-products in it. Also avoid foods with corn or corn gluten meal in them, as foxes would not normally eat corn or most grains in the wild. If given grains, such as cheerios, they should be given as treats and not as often. Best examples of food brands are Instinct's Ultimate Protein Canine Chicken, Fromm, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, and Castor & Pollux Organix, and Blue Buffalo Wilderness. Usually brands sold exclusively in pet stores tend to be better brands than ones widely available in most stores. Selecting a dry dog food higher in taurine or adding taurine supplements would be best, either in a paste, powder, or tablet form, but some owners report success feeding a mixture of dog and cat dry kibble for the base food since cat kibble has more taurine. *Some of these foods on the chart canines can have should only be in moderation, such as grains, cheeses, and fruit. Peanut butter should also not have Xylitol, a sweetener used in some peanut butter products. |
|
Dry foods should not be the sole source diet for any fox. Fruits (sparingly due to sugar content, but berries are lower in sugar), vegetables (veggies like boiled sweet potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, etc.), meal worms, crickets, should all be mixed into their diet as well, to keep as close as possible to their original diet. Foxes should not be given too many veggies high in fiber, as they would not normally get these in the wild. Personally the diet that worked for us was Instinct's Ultimate Protein Canine Chicken as a base kibble offered at all times, thawed chopped veggies with each meal, different fruits chopped every 2-3 days (you don't want to overdo fruits as they will lead to high sugar intake and other problems), and we gave mealworms, crickets, and raw pre-made rabbit patties as treats every so often.
Raw Foods:
Some prefer to feed raw foods. There are a couple issues with raw food you should be aware of. Firstly, it has to be fresh, and should not be kept in the fridge for longer than 3 days if it doesn't have any preservatives in it, since harmful bacteria can grow any longer than 3 days. In the freezer it is fine for months like any dinner meat humans would eat. Once the food has been sitting out, if your fox does not eat it all right away, you should throw it out, as bacteria from the fox's mouth can grow and fester on the uneaten food in the bowl. The second issue with raw food is that it makes their stool and urine smell much worse. In an outdoor enclosure it may not be an issue, but inside the odor becomes quite pungent.
We do not recommend raw foods for a non dedicated owner, because of the level of expertise it takes to prepare and store the food. If you are committed to that level of food prep, it can be a great option to keep their diet the closest to the wild. There are lots of websites out there that will show you step by step how to prepare raw dog food, so we won't go into detail further on the matter. Just see the above facts about retinol, taurine, and other vitamins your fox needs.
However, as a treat, some companies make good raw food products, such as Stella & Chewy's Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried Dog Food. It is 90% rabbit with bone and 10% veggies and fruit, with no added retinol.
Live Foods:
Some prefer to feed their pets live foods, such as feeder mice, chickens, rabbit, etc. We recommend to avoid this due to the fact it will increase their prey drive instincts highly. This will also make their urine and feces smell strongly. Live mice are also sometimes harmful in the long run for your fox, especially Fennecs. This is because some are high in retinol, which can cause organ issues the longer it is ingested for. Live mice can also cause calcium build up in the fox's spine. Of all the live/frozen prey, rabbit is the lowest in retinol, but there are still always inherit risks. Please consult your experienced veterinarian.
Raw Foods:
Some prefer to feed raw foods. There are a couple issues with raw food you should be aware of. Firstly, it has to be fresh, and should not be kept in the fridge for longer than 3 days if it doesn't have any preservatives in it, since harmful bacteria can grow any longer than 3 days. In the freezer it is fine for months like any dinner meat humans would eat. Once the food has been sitting out, if your fox does not eat it all right away, you should throw it out, as bacteria from the fox's mouth can grow and fester on the uneaten food in the bowl. The second issue with raw food is that it makes their stool and urine smell much worse. In an outdoor enclosure it may not be an issue, but inside the odor becomes quite pungent.
We do not recommend raw foods for a non dedicated owner, because of the level of expertise it takes to prepare and store the food. If you are committed to that level of food prep, it can be a great option to keep their diet the closest to the wild. There are lots of websites out there that will show you step by step how to prepare raw dog food, so we won't go into detail further on the matter. Just see the above facts about retinol, taurine, and other vitamins your fox needs.
However, as a treat, some companies make good raw food products, such as Stella & Chewy's Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried Dog Food. It is 90% rabbit with bone and 10% veggies and fruit, with no added retinol.
Live Foods:
Some prefer to feed their pets live foods, such as feeder mice, chickens, rabbit, etc. We recommend to avoid this due to the fact it will increase their prey drive instincts highly. This will also make their urine and feces smell strongly. Live mice are also sometimes harmful in the long run for your fox, especially Fennecs. This is because some are high in retinol, which can cause organ issues the longer it is ingested for. Live mice can also cause calcium build up in the fox's spine. Of all the live/frozen prey, rabbit is the lowest in retinol, but there are still always inherit risks. Please consult your experienced veterinarian.
Adopting a Fox - Preparations
|
Make sure you take into consideration how much work a fox will be before you say "I want one!" just because they are cute. Foxes are not for everyone, but if you are here, you probably already know they are very hard work. They are almost like having a newborn baby in the house, and I would recommend taking vacation time (almost like maternity leave) when you get your little one. Also just keep in mind they might keep you up at night and need constant care when you first adopt them so you bond and they begin to trust you.
Always remember, if the breeder ever asks for the payment above all else, has poor English, won't give out contact information, or asks for payment through Western Union, they are probably fake. These are some basic questions you should ask any fox breeder BEFORE you buy; |
-Price?
The most obvious question. For Fennecs, if the price is below $2000 dollars, it is probably a scam. There are many Fennec scams due to their popularity. Foxes in general will run in the $350 - $5000 range.
-Shots/Veterinarian?
Does the breeder personally make themselves responsible for their first set of shots? Are they included in the full price? Has the vet you use been experienced with foxes before? You want to make sure you will be receiving a happy, healthy kit. You also want to make sure they come complete with the seller's proof they have the right to sell or their USDA license number, and that the baby comes with a health certificate. Do you have a Vet ready to see them?
-What age do they leave?
Foxes should always stay with a breeder for at least the first six weeks and even better if they stay until 8 weeks. This is because they are recommended to be bottle fed. Bottle feeding is difficult for pet owners because the babies suck so strongly they could accidentally ingest formula into their lungs. And if they are weaned onto dry food, getting them at six weeks is the optimum age.
-What's included?
If they are shipping, and you cannot see the kit until arrival, make sure they will include a health certificate, the breeder's appropriate selling licenses or USDA license papers and an airline approved kennel. Are shots included in the price? Is the dry food included so they can be weaned off that brand? Is shipping legal? Do I need a special permit?
-Diet?
This is one of the most important questions. You want to at least follow the diet the breeder had them on for the first few weeks you get them. Some breeders feed their foxes live rodents, vegetables, dead chicks, dry food, fruit, cereal, and other various mixes. See above for in-depth diets. Too much fiber is bad for young kits. Rabbit tends to be low in retinol and the closest to what most foxes eat habitually in the wild.
-Litter trained?
Ask if the breeder starts an early litter training process. Some breeders do start early, as do puppy breeders. The earlier the better, some breeders even pull them after 2 days and begin the process with Pet Attractant Spray for either a potty pad or litter box. This is not a make or break, as most foxes can learn this even after 10-12 weeks old with consistency.
-Human interaction?
Foxes need to be handled as soon as possible so the wild instincts are mulled over. The more interaction your baby has, the more friendly it will be. So keep in mind a breeder who has their kits inside and bottle raised and handled versus one who lets the mother raise them. And even bottle-raised kits will still have wild instincts, but all foxes must be socialized.
-Hand raised?
Were these little guys kept in a pen with other foxes raised by the mother, or were they handled daily and socialized with humans and other pets? A very good breeder will pull the kits anywhere from 2-10 days, before the kits eyes open around day 15.
-Enclosure (outside or inside)?
Believe it or not, this does make a difference. If you as a pet owner intend to keep your fox indoors (which is recommended with Fennecs and other smaller, non-native species since they are escape artists and cannot survive in the wild on their own), you must ask the breeder if they are used to being inside or outside. If you plan to keep them in an outdoor enclosure you might like a breeder who has them prepared for the outdoors. Foxes can be transitioned slowly to the outdoors if necessary. Fennec Foxes are the best types of foxes for being kept inside, but other foxes can be trained to be indoors as well..
-What type of cage/enclosure would you recommend?
What did the breeder keep them in? What are they used to? The recommended indoor cages for Fennecs and other smaller foxes listed on the 'Fennec Fox' tab.
-Parents, bloodline, etc.?
This is an EXTREMELY important question. You want to make sure that the parents of your fox are not related (And currently I believe there is an unintentional inbreeding problem with Fennecs). If there is too much inbreeding, your baby will be more prone to having genetic abnormalities, usually serious immune system diseases. Ask if the parent foxes had any liver-related diseases or problems, as most Fennecs specifically develop these issues later in life. I knew of one breeder I had to remove from the site because she was breeding foxes with genetic problems and refused to work with the buyer even though their fox died. Also, if your baby is not at least three generations removed from a wild caught pair, this will alter their behavior as well.
-Can I get pictures?
You want to make sure they send you pictures every step of the way. Legitimate breeders will have no problem answering all your questions and sending updates, and you should never feel like you are bothering them.
The most obvious question. For Fennecs, if the price is below $2000 dollars, it is probably a scam. There are many Fennec scams due to their popularity. Foxes in general will run in the $350 - $5000 range.
-Shots/Veterinarian?
Does the breeder personally make themselves responsible for their first set of shots? Are they included in the full price? Has the vet you use been experienced with foxes before? You want to make sure you will be receiving a happy, healthy kit. You also want to make sure they come complete with the seller's proof they have the right to sell or their USDA license number, and that the baby comes with a health certificate. Do you have a Vet ready to see them?
-What age do they leave?
Foxes should always stay with a breeder for at least the first six weeks and even better if they stay until 8 weeks. This is because they are recommended to be bottle fed. Bottle feeding is difficult for pet owners because the babies suck so strongly they could accidentally ingest formula into their lungs. And if they are weaned onto dry food, getting them at six weeks is the optimum age.
-What's included?
If they are shipping, and you cannot see the kit until arrival, make sure they will include a health certificate, the breeder's appropriate selling licenses or USDA license papers and an airline approved kennel. Are shots included in the price? Is the dry food included so they can be weaned off that brand? Is shipping legal? Do I need a special permit?
-Diet?
This is one of the most important questions. You want to at least follow the diet the breeder had them on for the first few weeks you get them. Some breeders feed their foxes live rodents, vegetables, dead chicks, dry food, fruit, cereal, and other various mixes. See above for in-depth diets. Too much fiber is bad for young kits. Rabbit tends to be low in retinol and the closest to what most foxes eat habitually in the wild.
-Litter trained?
Ask if the breeder starts an early litter training process. Some breeders do start early, as do puppy breeders. The earlier the better, some breeders even pull them after 2 days and begin the process with Pet Attractant Spray for either a potty pad or litter box. This is not a make or break, as most foxes can learn this even after 10-12 weeks old with consistency.
-Human interaction?
Foxes need to be handled as soon as possible so the wild instincts are mulled over. The more interaction your baby has, the more friendly it will be. So keep in mind a breeder who has their kits inside and bottle raised and handled versus one who lets the mother raise them. And even bottle-raised kits will still have wild instincts, but all foxes must be socialized.
-Hand raised?
Were these little guys kept in a pen with other foxes raised by the mother, or were they handled daily and socialized with humans and other pets? A very good breeder will pull the kits anywhere from 2-10 days, before the kits eyes open around day 15.
-Enclosure (outside or inside)?
Believe it or not, this does make a difference. If you as a pet owner intend to keep your fox indoors (which is recommended with Fennecs and other smaller, non-native species since they are escape artists and cannot survive in the wild on their own), you must ask the breeder if they are used to being inside or outside. If you plan to keep them in an outdoor enclosure you might like a breeder who has them prepared for the outdoors. Foxes can be transitioned slowly to the outdoors if necessary. Fennec Foxes are the best types of foxes for being kept inside, but other foxes can be trained to be indoors as well..
-What type of cage/enclosure would you recommend?
What did the breeder keep them in? What are they used to? The recommended indoor cages for Fennecs and other smaller foxes listed on the 'Fennec Fox' tab.
-Parents, bloodline, etc.?
This is an EXTREMELY important question. You want to make sure that the parents of your fox are not related (And currently I believe there is an unintentional inbreeding problem with Fennecs). If there is too much inbreeding, your baby will be more prone to having genetic abnormalities, usually serious immune system diseases. Ask if the parent foxes had any liver-related diseases or problems, as most Fennecs specifically develop these issues later in life. I knew of one breeder I had to remove from the site because she was breeding foxes with genetic problems and refused to work with the buyer even though their fox died. Also, if your baby is not at least three generations removed from a wild caught pair, this will alter their behavior as well.
-Can I get pictures?
You want to make sure they send you pictures every step of the way. Legitimate breeders will have no problem answering all your questions and sending updates, and you should never feel like you are bothering them.
|
Okay, so I am on the waiting list! . . . Now what?
|
You will want to make sure to fox-proof your house, much like you would to child-proof it. Hide all exposed cords, as some like to chew, and cover all outlets with plastic covers. We would recommend anything you don't want stolen or taken to be placed out of reach and above the ground. To a fox, out of sight, out of mind (unless they know it's there). We would suggest keeping windows closed too because a fox is smart enough to escape even through a screen. Cats can escape through a screen, so foxes can as well. Foxes are smarter than cats and more mischievous. If your fox is to go in a litter box, find a corner of the house for it, as well as one in their enclosure or cage, so it encourages the, to use it. We would suggest placing their waste in the box if they have an accident, and usually the smarter foxes catch on. Some foxes will refuse to be potty trained - keep that in mind.
Gray Foxes - $350 - $900
Arctic Foxes - $400 - $900
Ruppell's Foxes - $850 - $2500
Kit Foxes - $1000 - $2500
Swift Foxes - $1000 - $2500
Pale Foxes - $1000 - $2500
Fennec Foxes - $2000 - $4000
Corsac Foxes - $2000 - $5000
Do you have any other animals already?
Here are some tips for introducing foxes to other household pets. While every animal has their own personality, more often than not they will get along if introduced properly.
- Step 3: Supplies.
- Cage or Enclosure - can cost anywhere from $150-$5,000 depending on the size of your fox and type of cage/enclosure.
- Food - will probably be about $50-$100 per month
- Toys, Beds, Blankets, etc. - will probably be around $30 - $100
- Vet Bills - foxes need the same shots as small dogs, so the starting boosters and exams can run anywhere from $200 - $2000. You must select a reliable vet willing to treat your fox before adopting them.
- The Actual Fox (Estimates):
Gray Foxes - $350 - $900
Arctic Foxes - $400 - $900
Ruppell's Foxes - $850 - $2500
Kit Foxes - $1000 - $2500
Swift Foxes - $1000 - $2500
Pale Foxes - $1000 - $2500
Fennec Foxes - $2000 - $4000
Corsac Foxes - $2000 - $5000
- Step 4: Selecting a food that fits.
- Step 5: When your fox arrives.
- Step 6: Foxy maintenance and socializing.
- Step 7: Training.
Do you have any other animals already?
Here are some tips for introducing foxes to other household pets. While every animal has their own personality, more often than not they will get along if introduced properly.
- Scent, scent, scent! Much like you are supposed to take your own article of clothing and place it in your fox's cage to bond, you can take a blanket, or shirt, or other material your other pet sleeps on or uses for the fox, or vice versa, for them to get used to. The scent will help them prepare for meeting the new fox.
- Always introduce them in a spot that is neutral. Never introduce the two pets in an area the fox thinks is his, or an area say the cat thinks belongs to him, such as near a cat tree. If one animal thinks he owns the area, things are likely to get heated, as they will protect their area.
- Always reinforce positive behaviors with treats. Rewards for good behavior will show them the new animal is fun and exciting.
- Make sure the biggest animal is adopted first, if possible. Even though you should always supervise foxes with other pets, make sure that if it is possible the animal you get first is bigger than the fox. It will help the bonding process. For example, if you have a 20 pound cat, then get a 10 pound fox, it should be fine.
- Never let either animal feel threatened. If they want to run away, let them. Don't make them feel backed up in a corner - figuratively or otherwise - or they will attack.
- No small pets. Never, ever let your hamster or gerbil, or any other type of rodent/bunny/marsupial interact with your fox. This is not a good idea, as they could be best friends and one day the fox might get a wave of wild instinct and snap.
- The changes. The old pet will have to get used to either not being the only child, or having it's favorite toys moved, etc., so I would recommend trying to have play-dates with other animals to see how it does on a sort of "test run."
- ALWAYS keep it fun. Positive, fun reinforcement will make the older animal look forward to play sessions with the new animal!
- As with any training, never yell, just correct them. They will fear training and interactions with the new arrival if you yell, or spank them. Try changing your tone so they know you are unhappy with them.
- Always end with a treat or good memory, so they see it as having fun.
