Many people are delighted with the idea of having a fox as a pet. They are charming and intelligent animals, and it is very attractive to have a “special” animal that not many people have. While foxes can make decent pets for someone with the time and resources to care for them, many people make the mistake of buying a fox as a pet thinking it is going to be like a dog.
1. Foxes are difficult to train
Dogs are born with a very strong pack mentality. A dog sees you as his alpha and is programmed to want to obey the leader. They Live to please you. A fox, however, lives to please himself. Although they are very intelligent, the main motivation of a fox is different from that of a dog. The dog wants to please you and make you happy, the fox wants the treat.
2. Foxes suck
Foxes have a very strong smell. While a dog may go a few weeks without bathing to produce a strong stench, foxes smell like skunks 24/7. This strong, musky odor can be tempered a bit by neutering the fox, but it cannot be completely removed.
3. Foxes are shy
Many people envision a fox as an amazing pet that they can show off to their friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, reality almost always falls short on this. While foxes often become very attached and affectionate to their families, they remain incredibly shy around visitors and strangers.
4. Foxes have special needs.
Foxes have special dietary and exercise requirements in addition to those of a dog. They are extremely energetic and require a lot of exercise every day. A large and carefully constructed outdoor enclosure is a must. Which brings me to my next point …
5. Foxes are escape artists
Foxes are far more adept at getting out of enclosures than even the most determined dog. They can leap six feet in the air, climb fences, and even cling upside down to climb along a chain-link roof for short distances. Any enclosure intended to keep foxes must not only be large, but also impossible to excavate and have a full roof.
6. Foxes are destructive
Many people buy a fox under the mistaken impression that it can be kept as an indoor pet and set free while they are at work. Nothing could be further from the truth, particularly with larger species like red foxes. They will steal and hide anything that is small enough for them to carry, and they will destroy almost anything they can get. It is almost impossible to break even the best trained fox out of these behaviors. A dog can be taught not to chew things, a fox can only be taught not to chew things while you watch. While a fox is on the loose in the house, it requires constant supervision.
In conclusion, foxes can be fascinating pets for people who are prepared to care for them. If you are interested in a fox as a pet, please do so with your eyes wide open, do your research, and understand that caring for a fox is not like caring for a dog.
