Prairie dogs make good pets for committed owners. Be sure to buy from ethical breeders. When cared for, prairie dogs bond with owners. But they have specialized needs and may nip. It’s illegal in some states. They enjoy company. Easy to care for and train. Cost little to maintain. They require complex habitat simulation. Susceptible to human disease and can become aggressive without socialization.
In grasslands, prairie dogs burrow and eat plants. Five species in North America. A keystone species impacting the ecosystem. Mound-building helps grass growth. Prey for coyotes and hawks. Other animals use their tunnels. Some states restrict ownership.
Expert diggers, they tunnel deep seeking escape. Constantly building and rebuilding elaborate dwellings. Very friendly in coteries of families. Use calls to communicate danger and play.
Once occupied 100 million acres. Weigh 1-3 lbs with 12-16 inch body. Males larger than females. Live in close-knit family groups.
Gophers much smaller than prairie dogs. Weigh 3-5 ounces versus 32-64 for prairie dogs. Grow to 12-15 inches versus 6 for gophers. Related to woodchucks but prairie dogs not dangerous.
Are prairie dogs harmless?
Prairie dogs often carry fleas, which carry diseases — even sylvatic plague — which can be passed to livestock. They can decimate or destroy crops. The damage to native grasses can take over a decade to repair.
When cared for, prairie dogs bond with owners. They have specialized requirements. It may be illegal to own them.
Most breed in late winter and spring. Their average life span is three to five years. They prefer to eat short grasses, low-growing weeds, and plants.
Prairie dogs are intelligent with complex communication. They have specific alarm calls.
Their burrows attract pests like spiders and snakes. Their bites can cause reactions.
There are five species, including the Mexican. The most common pet is the black-tailed.
Prairie dogs play a vital ecosystem role. Their activities aerate soil. Their dung fertilizes.
They clear plants to see predators. If danger, they give a warning bark.
While cute, prairie dog damage can be severe.
Despite their name, they are rodents. They populate plains grasslands.
There are things to consider before getting one as a pet.
Are prairie dogs good for anything?
Prairie dogs are good for many things. Their burrowing activity aerates the soil, allowing water and nutrients to seep deeper into the ground and encouraging the growth of a greater range of plants and animals.
These furry rodents might make rewarding companions, but can you keep one as a pet? Prairie dogs are fun and lovable pets you can keep at home. However, prairie dogs are not ideal for everyone. Let’s learn about the possibility and requirements for keeping a prairie dog as a pet.
A prairie dog is a small burrowing rodent native to the grasslands of North America. Unsocialized or neglected prairie dogs frequently exhibit aggressive tendencies toward others. They may also be nippy with children who don’t know how to handle them.
The best and most trainable prairie dogs are those that are young. Although relatively new to the pet sector, adaptable prairie dogs could have behavioral or health issues. For devoted owners who provide their requirements, prairie dogs may make excellent pets.
Prairie dogs are any of five species of herbivorous burrowing floor squirrels within the genus Cynomys. These rodents are native to the grasslands of North America. Do prairie dogs make good pets for individuals who are ready to look after them? Check out the pros and cons of prairie dog possession to get a feel for whether or not it’s best for you.
Some people may find prairie dog meat to be a delicacy while others may not like its taste. Prairie dog meat is considered to have a mild, gamey flavor and is high in protein. It is typically cooked by slow roasting or boiling, but can also be cooked as jerky or dried into strips. Since prairie dogs are wild animals, some may find it difficult to obtain the meat.
Prairie dogs can be very affectionate but getting them to this point means dedicating hours of attention every day – at least initially. They also have sharp claws that grow very quickly! Finding a qualified exotic vet that treats prairie dogs can be very difficult. They have to be neutered or spayed during their first fall to make good pets which is expensive. They need to be kept in a group. Once bonded to you, they expect you to spend at least an hour or two with them per day or they will get lonely and act out.
Is it legal to own a prairie dog in America?
Prairie dogs were banned in 2003 because they spread monkeypox. As of 2008, it is legal to own them. They crave attention. Poisoning prairie dogs in Oklahoma requires a state permit. Only private landowners can shoot them without a license. Baby exotic pets look cute, but many states ban them. Pet prairie dogs use litter boxes like cats do in the wild. However, they have sharp claws and teeth. Their bites need treatment by a doctor. Most are in western Kansas counties, on private land. Access requires the landowner’s permission. Satellite images locate towns best. They inhabit the Great Plains and western US prairie lands. They live in big colonies in underground burrows. Though named “dogs,” they are rodents. The black-tailed kind is often sold as pets. It lives in grassland colonies between Canada and Mexico. Some states where they are part of ecosystems don’t require permits or forms to own them. But owners must buy from legal sellers. Taking them from the wild is illegal. These states allow them without permits: As of 2023, x, y, and z allow them. For best success, acquire while young. Then socialize and acclimate them. They can get nippy if mishandled or frustrated. So they may not suit homes with unsupervised little kids.