What Species of Fox Can You Own as a Pet?
In the United States of America, foxes are a viral animal seen online, often in situations where they are kept as pets or handled by sanctuaries in a pet-like manner. This has, understandably, led many people to want one for themselves.
However, not every fox species is the same. Some, such as the most commonly available red fox (Vulpes vulpes), are only recommended as outdoor pets due to their destructive behavior— and more importantly, their incredibly pungent skunk-like urine odor that will permeate every corner of your home. This list will cover every fox species currently available in the United States exotic pet trade, and give a brief overview of what makes them different from each other.
Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda)
A fennec fox taking a nap.
© Fei zhou
Summary
Availability: Common
Price: Expensive ($2500+)
Kept Indoors: Yes
Care: Intermediate
The fennec fox is almost as well-known as the red fox. They are the smallest members of the canine family, weighing no more than 4 pounds when fully grown. They have been in the American exotic pet trade for the better part of 30 years, owing their popularity to their small size and general ability to be litterbox trained; although this is easier with some fennecs than others.
Unfortunately, fennec foxes are one of the most expensive species of fox to buy as a pet. They cost anywhere from $2500 to $3500, and any price below this for a quality, hand-raised baby (known as a “kit”) is certainly a scam. Adult fennec foxes can be purchased for cheaper, but they are not “pet quality”. This term means they are not tame, and not able to be kept as pets. Fennec foxes, like all fox species in this list, need to be raised by their owner from a young age in order to bond with them and remain friendly and social.
Fennec foxes are well suited for living indoors. While they are destructive, their small size limits the chaos they can cause, and they are easily directed to playing with toys or objects you provide them rather than ruining your couches or pillows. If this cannot be done, a section of the room can be partitioned off to be a play area. Fennecs love to dig, and will benefit from having a sandbox somewhere… But beware of the sand that will inevitably be scattered everywhere!
While they make look adorable, fennec foxes are not cuddly. They are extremely energetic, very vocal, should not be kept in cages, and have short attention spans. If you are expecting to have a cuddle buddy that you can carry around or take naps with, this is not the pet for you. In addition, fennec foxes do best when their diet of high quality, grain free dog food such as Blue Buffalo, or zoological kibble brands meant for exotic foxes, like Mazuri Exotic Canine Diet, are supplemented with insects (mealworms, silkworms, crickets, etc.) and the occasional whole prey (frozen day old chicks & mice) or raw foods such as ground rabbit.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Red foxes are extremely common in captivity.
Summary
Availability: Plentiful
Price: Cheap ($400+)
Kept Indoors: No
Care: Difficult
Red foxes are the largest true fox species in the world, averaging around 15 pounds at maturity. Despite their larger size, they are easier to handle than the pint-sized fennec fox, and more likely to enjoy being pet and played with. Many videos on YouTube that show pet red foxes have gone viral, increasing their popularity and desirability as pets.
While red foxes can make amazing pets under proper conditions, they can be the worst nightmare for many others. Red foxes are destructive, and large enough to be able to do serious damage to your house: destroying couches, shredding carpets, tipping over trash cans, and so on. They also have extremely potent urine that reeks of skunk spray, and they will urinate on objects to mark their territory much like a male cat does. This behavior does not abate with neutering or spaying the fox. If you are concerned about the odor, I recommend purchasing bottled fox urine off of Amazon here. This product is cheap and will help you get hands on experience with the smell. But be warned… It’s potent!
Due to these traits, the red fox is an animal that is better kept outdoors. In order to do this correctly, you must purchase or construct an outdoor enclosure for them that meets the following criteria:
Enclosure is built from low gauge wire (no more than 8 gauge) or chain link.
Enclosure has a completely enclosed roof; foxes can climb, and a tarp or shade cloth will not suffice.
Enclosure is dig-proof. Foxes are expert diggers and will escape unless the floor is concrete slab, brick pavers, or has wire buried underneath.
Enclosure is large enough for the fox to run and play. No smaller than 10ft x 10ft x 6ft.
This is not easy for most people, unless you have experience with building pens for livestock or poultry. Therefore, I highly recommend purchasing kennel panel kits from brands such as PawHut, which you can view here. These are popular with fox owners and are high quality, low gauge welded wire. In addition, they are easily set up, and you can connect them together to expand the enclosure size into something more suited for your fox. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to build your own roof to enclose the top of the pen. The tarp included here is NOT sufficient enough to contain a fox.
Red foxes have a more flexible diet than fennec foxes, and their nutritional needs are well studied and understood due to their role in the fur farming industry. High quality, grain free dog food (such as Blue Buffalo) is a must, and should be supplemented with small amounts of various lean raw meats and whole prey much like the fennec fox, in order to meet their taurine and calcium requirements. Red foxes may also enjoy small quantities of fruits, such as blueberries.
While not indoor pets like fennec foxes, red foxes have the advantage in being one of the most commonly available exotic pets in the United States due to the fur farming industry domesticating them. Red fox breeders can be found in multiple states, and the price of a kit will be anywhere from $400 to $900, depending on the color of fox you want— you heard that right, color! Red foxes come in over 15 coat color morphs, from pale blue “sapphire” to the chocolatey “amber”, or the dalmatian-like “Georgian white.”
A color morph of the red fox known as “Sapphire”.
© Living With Foxes
This means that you are unlikely to have to join a long waitlist, and will also be able to select a breeder that you prefer.
Red foxes may also be harness trained if you acclimate them to one while they are young, but you should only use a style known as a “Figure Eight Harness”. This is the type often used with cats and rabbits, and it is far harder for animals to back up and slip out of than the traditional styles of harness. I recommend the harness here, as other fox owners have tested and found it to be exceptional. If you do choose to harness train your fox, keep in mind that they will need extensive socialization to be comfortable in public, and should never be allowed to be touched by strangers.
Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus)
A color morph of the arctic fox known as “Blue".
Summary
Availability: Common
Price: Cheap ($600+)
Kept Indoors: No
Care: Difficult
Arctic foxes, while less popular than red foxes, are still abundant in the pet trade; albeit to a lesser extent. They are smaller, more compact foxes that have virtually identical care requirements to red foxes. In spite of these similarities, arctic foxes are less popular due to their higher price tag (generally found for no less than $600 to $800) and more nippy, temperamental personalities. Owners have also stated they smell more strongly than red foxes.
The arctic fox comes in over 8 unique coat colors due to being domesticated by the fur farming industry. However, only 3 are available in the pet trade currently. These coat colors are the following:
“Polar” arctic foxes, which sport a grey summer coat and a white winter coat. The standard morph seen in the wild.
“Blue” arctic foxes, which remain a light grey color permanently.
“Shadow” arctic foxes, which remain pure white permanently.
Other than this, please refer to the red fox section above for more information on their care.
Grey Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Grey foxes are less commonly kept as pets than red or arctic foxes.
© Mendonoma Sightings
Summary
Availability: Common
Price: Cheap ($800+)
Kept Indoors: Yes
Care: Intermediate
Out of all the large foxes, the only one suitable to keep indoors is the grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). As the scientific name suggests, the grey fox is not a member of the “true fox” family, but rather a fox-like canine. Perhaps this is why they are better suited for an indoor life; grey foxes have a far less offensive odor, and many owners claim they do not even notice it. They are less destructive, more friendly, and calmer than red or arctic foxes. Litter box training can be hit or miss, but grey foxes have been known to learn better than every large fox species. If you’re looking for a fox that can be kept indoors, but is larger than the other species in this list, then the grey fox may be right for you… If you live in one of the few states where they are legal to own.
In terms of dietary needs, grey foxes are more omnivorous than other foxes. A high quality, grain free dog food such as Blue Buffalo should be used, and supplemented with fruits (such as apple and banana) and small amounts of vegetables (such as carrots) in order to be nutritionally adequate. Hardboiled eggs, or raw eggs with the shell, are also well received and help provide calcium.
Grey foxes are the only species of fox that enjoys climbing. In the wild, they will often climb trees to sleep or avoid predators. They will enjoy sturdy cat trees or shelves and ramps indoors— but beware, they may climb on your furniture and knock off decorations, much like cats do.
Pale Fox (Vulpes pallida)
A pale fox. These foxes are possibly the best species to keep as a pet.
© Faithful Foxes
Summary
Availability: Uncommon
Price: Expensive ($3500+)
Kept Indoors: Yes
Care: Easy
Out of all the species of foxes, pale foxes (Vulpes pallida) are quite possibly the best overall to keep as pets. They are tiny, similar in both size and appearance to the fennec fox while being much less hyperactive and vocal. They litter box train well, have no odor, are easier to hold and handle, and are overall much more enjoyable to keep than the fennec fox.
Pale foxes have only become available to purchase as pets in the last 5 years, and their popularity is growing. Despite this, they remain in the shadow of the more popular fennec fox, despite having much better temperaments. They are generally the same price, or a little more expensive, than fennecs, and share the same dietary and husbandry needs.
If you’re interested in fennec foxes, but want something that is not as high-strung and hyperactive, then pale foxes may be right for you.
Bat Eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis)
Bat eared foxes make fantastic pets.
© San Diego Zoo
Summary
Availability: Uncommon
Price: Expensive ($4500+)
Kept Indoors: Yes
Care: Easy
Bat eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) were rare in the pet trade until the last 2 to 3 years. They are the most unique looking species available, and like the grey fox, are not actually true foxes. These small canines are larger than fennec and pale foxes, ranging anywhere from 6 to 12 pounds, but smaller than grey foxes.
Not much information is available on caring for bat eared foxes, but they seem to have needs similar to the other species. They potty train well, have a ferret-like odor that is more manageable than other fox species, and are very social. They get along well with small dogs, and will play with them if your dog is amicable. They harness train much better than fennec foxes, are more docile, and many zoological facilities use them as educational ambassadors due to this.
Some owners have reported that bat eared foxes are nippier than pale foxes, so this may be something to take into consideration.
