Should You Keep Fennec Fox (Desert Fox) as a Pet?

The fennec fox, also known as the desert fox, is a petite animal that's native to the Sahara desert and other parts of North Africa. Although it's not common, sometimes these tiny foxes with oversized ears are kept as pets. Fennec foxes behave a bit like active, playful little dogs. However, it’s important to remember these are still animals with wild instincts, even if they were bred in captivity.

As pets, they usually aren’t very cuddly with people, and because they are prey animals in the wild, they can be rather skittish and startled easily. Plus, fennec foxes are mostly nocturnal, meaning they're more active at night. It can be especially difficult to manage their high energy level during the hours when most people are sleeping. Thus, it's not easy to care for a pet fennec fox.

Can You Own a Fennec Fox?

Legality

Laws about owning a fennec fox vary widely depending on the jurisdiction. Most parts of the United States have some regulations regarding fennecs—from outright bans to simply requiring a permit. Plus, some local laws might conflict with state laws, so be sure to check the regulations for exactly where you live. 

Ethics

It is vital that you acquire your fennec from a reputable breeder or rescue organization. While the odds are slim that you'll find a seller of wild-caught fennecs in the United States, it's still important to ensure your fennec was captive-bred. These animals generally adapt to life in captivity much better than an animal that previously lived in the wild.

Things to Consider

While unquestionably cute, fennec foxes are indeed noisy, energetic creatures. While they can adjust to a life with humans, they are a good deal of work for their owners who must commit to giving these big-eared friends the correct types of exercise, diet, and veterinary care.

Fennec Fox Behavior and Temperament

Although fennecs typically live in groups in the wild, they tend to be somewhat independent as pets. They might enjoy playing with their humans at times, such as an energetic game of fetch. But then there will be other times when they prefer to play alone. In addition, the majority of pet fennecs will allow people they know to pick them up, but most don’t seem to enjoy handling overall.

Fennecs are cautious by nature, and they are quick to flee if something frightens them. While most would rather choose flight over fight, they will bite if something truly angers them. Some fennecs, especially unneutered males, will also mark their territory with urine—including the inside of your home.

These animals make a variety of vocalizations to express their moods, and some can be very loud. They’re certainly not a good fit for someone who prefers a quiet pet. Some fennecs will get along with other household pets, especially dogs and cats around their size. Introduction at a young age will help them coexist more peacefully with other animals, as well as bond with their human family members. 

Expect to spend a lot of time and effort keeping your fennec exercised. They are quick, active, and agile animals. Fortunately, many fennecs will adapt to their human's schedule, rather than remaining nocturnal. Fennecs can be trained to walk on a leash, which helps to get some of their energy out each day.

Housing

As desert animals, fennecs require temperatures of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an appropriate climate, an outdoor enclosure that's as large as possible is ideal to give your fennec some exercise. Many people make their own outdoor pens out of wood and wire screening. The pen must be designed to prevent your fennec from digging under or climbing over the walls, both of which these foxes are quite good at doing. (They can dig holes 20 feet deep!) To stop your fox from digging under the walls, build the pen over pavers, concrete, or wood decking, preferably with a layer of sand or dirt over the top for a more natural environment. You will need to either angle the fencing in at the top, or cover the whole enclosure with screening.

While indoors, your fennec will likely jump on furniture and could potentially knock over decorations and other items as it plays. So it's important to put away breakables and anything that might injure your animal. Fennecs generally should be kenneled when you're not able to supervise them simply because they will get into everything. If you don't have a suitable outdoor pen, use a dog crate indoors.

Furthermore, some fennecs can be trained to use a litter box indoors. A covered box works best due to its tendency to dig. (A lot of litter will fly out of the box otherwise.) The training process involves taking the fox frequently to the litter box and giving lots of treats when it succeeds in using the box. You can use the same method to train the fox to relieve itself outdoors. Never punish an animal for accidents in the house.

Specific Substrate Needs

Keep the floor of your fennec's crate dust-free, with lots of ventilation and low humidity. You can line the floor with old newspaper, making it easy to clean and replace.

What do Fennec Foxes Eat and Drink?

In the wild, fennec foxes are omnivores that eat a varied diet of meat and plants, including rodents, birds, insects, and fruit. An optimal diet for a pet fennec fox is a commercial wild canid diet, which is what many zoos feed them. But most owners feed their fennecs a mix of dog food, cat food, vegetables, and fruit. It's especially important to make sure a fennec's diet has an adequate amount of taurine, an amino acid that’s key for many metabolic processes in the body. Consult your veterinarian on the right quantity and variety for your fox, as this can vary depending on age, size, and activity level.

Most owners feed meals twice a day, though you should follow your vet's recommendations on this. You can simply put the food in a bowl for your fox, or you can hide some in a treat puzzle to give your pet some mental enrichment. Also, provide a bowl of clean water at all times.

Common Health Problems

Before you even acquire a fennec fox, you must make sure there is an exotic veterinarian near you who will treat such an animal. Fennecs need preventative care similar to dogs. They should be routinely vaccinated for rabies, canine distemper virus, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Your vet should be able to recommend the correct course of vaccines. A yearly wellness exam is recommended, and your vet will advise you on deworming, heartworm prevention, and flea control if necessary.

Common health problems in fennecs are similar to what many dogs experience. They are prone to kidney, liver, and heart disease, especially if their diet is poor. Symptoms of these diseases include lethargy and a lack of appetite. They also can develop skin infections and mites, as well as intestinal parasites. Skin infections can present with a lot of itching while intestinal parasites can cause abnormal feces, weight loss, and poor appetite.

Exercise

Fennec foxes need a good deal of exercise, both in and outside of your home. You will need to provide your fennec with a huge amount of space to roam and climb and play.

You can also let your fennec run around in a fenced yard, as long as you have a secure 5- to 6- foot fence. But you must always supervise your fox to make sure it doesn't start to climb or dig under the fence. You also can put your fox on a long leash to let it run around outside, as long as it's under your supervision.

Grooming

Shedding

Fennec foxes shed a good deal from their fluffy undercoat, and therefore need to be brushed regularly. Vets recommend wire brushes, the kind used for cats.

Bathing/Grooming

Fennec's are excellent groomers, and fastidiously clean: Good news for you, as they do not need to be bathed regularly. In fact, you only need to bathe yours if it gets uncharacteristically dirty.

Size Information

Mature fennec foxes grow from 9 to 16 inches long, weighing 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. They'll reach full size between nine to 11 months.

Training Your Fennec Fox

Fennec foxes are intelligent little beings that don't take to most commands; you won't be teaching yours to sit, stay, or not jump on your furniture.

House Training

You cannot leave uncaged fennecs alone in your home, since they are basically untrainable. They will run around, making messes, knocking everything over. It's imperative that you put them in their well-secured cage before you leave them alone.

Leash Training

While some fennec foxes can be trained to walk on a leash, many cannot. Please don't expect to be able to walk your fennec the way you'd walk your dog.

Potty Training

Many fennec foxes can be trained to use the litter box, but it will take a good amount of persistence on your part. Talk with your exotic veterinarian about the best ways for your fennec fox to be trained.

Pros and Cons of Keeping a Fennec Fox as a Pet

Fennec foxes are wholly adorable little creatures, but they are wild animals. Even if they occasionally snuggle with you, it's not as though they can replace the kind of companionship you'd get with a cat or a dog. In fact, most can't come for walks with you because they're hard to leash-train.

Purchasing Your Fennec Fox

Expect to spend around $1,500 to $3,500 on average for a young fennec from a reputable breeder. A price less than this is usually a red flag and potentially the sign of some sort of scam. Also, you might have to travel a great distance to a breeder, as there aren't that many across the U.S. Some sellers will ship their foxes to you, but this can be very stressful for the animal. Plus, it's best to check out the animal and the seller in person before committing.

Reproduction/Breeding

Make sure the seller can give you thorough information on the animal's origin and health history. Also, try to secure references from other people who have gotten a fox from that seller to make sure the seller is trustworthy. In addition, breeders should be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While they're more expensive, it's best to acquire a newly weaned young fox, rather than an adult. You'll have better odds of your fox growing up to be tame and friendly this way. A healthy fox will typically be alert and active, though it might be shy around you at first.

Similar Species to the Fennec Fox

If you're interested in similar pets, check out:

• Russian Red Fox
• Anteater
• Kinkajou

Otherwise, check out other exotic animals that can be your new pet.