Since they are in the same family as dogs, foxes can look a lot like pet dogs. They are the only dogs that can easily climb trees. Pet foxes can be cute, funny, and good at sneaking away. But when they are grown in a home, they have specific needs, like learning to use a little box and getting along with the family and any other pets.
Different states have different rules about exotic pets. A fox as a pet could be called “a wild dog, a small dog, a non-domesticated species, an exotic animal, or a native animal,” so make sure you can have one where you live.
Tip
Before you get a pet fox, you should think about its basic needs. These include exercise and mental stimulation, a safe place to live, a special food, and regular care from an exotic animal vet. Most foxes are very active, mark their area with urine, and need a lot of stimulation. They are not good choices for the normal pet owner because they have special needs and act in ways that most people can’t handle.
1. Fennec fox
Most people keep big-eared fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) as pets. Private breeders raise fennec foxes all over the United States, and they can be bought for several thousand dollars. It’s a good choice for a pet fox because it’s small, has a long life span, and is friendly. It might not be good for homes with small children or other animals that like to bite. As the smallest fox breed in the world, it is fragile and needs to be protected from rougher housemates. It also has a wide range of sounds: whimpers, growls, shrieks, wails, whines, barks, squeaks, and yells.
Summary of Species
- 12 to 16 inches LENGTH
- WIGHT: 2 to 4 pounds
- PHYSICAL TRAITS: Cream or fawn-colored, long, thick hair; ears like bat wings; hairy feet.
2. Red Fox
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is not as famous as the fennec fox as a pet, but those who have them say they are as sweet as house cats. They can’t be kept as pets, and they have a few problems. Maybe the worst thing about them is that their urine smells the worst of all the fox types. Spaying or neutering might help a little bit with the smell. They also like to dig and need much more space than other breeds to dig and play. Silver foxes are a type of tamed red fox that has only been bred in Russia. This program for tamed foxes has made them less smelly and better mannered overall.
Summary of Species
- DISTANCE: 36 to 42 inches
- WIGHT: 8 to 15 pounds
- Physical traits: Long snouts with big, pointed ears; red fur on the face, back, sides, and tail; grayish-white fur on the throat, chin, and belly; black feet and ears with black tips; fluffy tails with white tips.
3. Silver Fox
The silver fox is truly domesticated. It is also called the tame Siberian fox, the tame Arctic fox, Sibfoxes, the tamed fox, and other names. It is a different color from the red fox, which is also called Vulpes vulpes. Because of a breeding scheme in Russia, these foxes are different from red foxes in some ways and their genes. Only in Russia can you find a real tamed silver fox. It can be hard to get one and can cost up to $10,000.
These foxes act like dogs and don’t smell very much. Some dog traits were passed on to silver foxes, such as moving their tails when they were happy, barking and making noises, and having their ears flap. Care for these foxes is the same as care for other foxes. If you want a fox that is easy to take care of, you might want to think about getting a fennec or a gray fox.
Summary of Species
- DISTANCE: 36 to 42 inches
- WIGHT: 8 to 15 pounds
- Physical traits: Long snouts and big, pointed ears; black, bluish-gray, or silver fur with a white tip on the tail; silver hairs may be scattered all over.
4. An Arctic Fox
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The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is a lot like the red fox, but it is usually smaller and not kept as a pet as often. As an animal that has learned to live in the Arctic, it is sensitive to hot temperatures and may overheat faster than other foxes. It might be important to take steps to keep it cool. Arctic foxes are overbred in the U.S. because there aren’t many of them to start with.
Its pee and scent glands make it a smelly pet, just like red foxes. Its scent marks its area, so it doesn’t do well inside. It also likes to play in sand and dirt, so its litter box may become more of a playhouse than a place to go to the bathroom. As foxes go, they can have a good personality.
Summary of Species
- HOW LONG: 28 inches
- WIGHT: 6 to 10 pounds
- The body is dark gray to brown to bluish-brown in the summer and white or creamy white in the winter. It has a long, bushy tail, a short nose, small ears that curl back, and short, stubby legs.
5. Grey Fox
Gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) used to be the most common fox in the U.S. Over the ages, red foxes have become the most common species because people have moved in and cut down trees. Gray foxes are the calmest and most friendly type of fox. Most foxes are nervous around new people, but gray foxes are friendly and loving with most people. Even though gray fox pee is not as smelly as that of other species, most foxes will never be fully housetrained. They can be troublemakers in the house by digging up carpets, marking their area, and eating or chewing things they shouldn’t.
Summary of Species
- LENGTH: 31 – 45 inches
- WIGHT: 8 to 14 pounds
- Physical traits: Peppery gray on top, reddish-brown on sides, chest, and back of the head; reddish-brown legs and feet; long, bushy tail with a black stripe on top; pointed ears; pointed nose; long, hooked claws.
6. Fox with Big Ears
The bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a small species that is hard to find and hard to keep. The fields of Africa are where these foxes come from. In the wild, they eat mostly insects like termites and dung beetles, which make up about 80% of their food. They can eat meat and veggies as pets. The owners of these foxes have kept them inside. But, like other kinds of foxes, bat-eared foxes need a place they can’t get out of. This type of fox will also dig and mark its scent.
Summary of Species
- 18 to 26 inches LENGTH
- WIGHT: 6 to 12 pounds
- physical traits: It has unusually big ears, a yellowish-gray coat, a black face and legs, ears, and a tail with black tips.
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