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They also need to be kept in large groups, so multiple animals will need to be adopted. They are very active, social animals and are a lot of fun to watch and interact with. The High Prairie line of dog food features a grain-free formula with pasture-raised bison and venison as two of the primary meat sources. To attract raptorssuch as hawks, owlsand kestrelsyou can provide suitable-sized nesting boxes and artificial perching sites near the colony. Prairie dogs look like Chicken McNuggets, but they are fast, skilled fighters with sharp claws and powerful teeth. burrowing rodents are becoming more popular as fad pets, according to a veterinarian. If youre considering a prairie dog as a pet, be sure to do your research and weigh the pros and cons carefully. The pros include their intelligence, social nature, and cleanliness. Theres no doubt about it. For this reason, unless you can give your prairie dog nearly undivided attention throughout the day, it's recommended to house more than one prairie dog together for company, socialization, and overall welfare. If you do not get your female prairie dog spayed, her estrous cycle (referred to as "rut") will cause her to become aggressive and it will drastically (but temporarily) alter her behavior. Clinical Diseases In Pet Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Ludovicianus): A Retrospective Study In 206 Animals. Their barks and chirps are used to communicate with one another. They don't shed much, and you don't need to bathe them. In the wild, the female black-tail prairie dog can reach a reproductive age of eight years, while the male can reach a reproductive age of five years. Conflict reduction plans and coexistence offer a more wildlife friendly and humane solution to issues that arise for both wildlife and people. A prairie dog in the wild typically has three to four years of life left. Although they are not suitable pets for everyone and may not be the best family pet (especially if they have small children), they can become difficult, nippy, and aggressive if not handled or socialized regularly. This is around the time when they breed and then pups are collected. If there is a bite on the body, it should be treated as soon as possible by a medical professional. These animals are important members of the ecosystem, providing food for predators and aerating the soil with their burrows. Do prairie dogs do better in their natural habitats than in a domesticated one? Because of the fact that these animals require specialized care and their native habitats cannot be replicated in a home setting, they are frequently kept in specialized conditions. Exotic animal laws vary greatly across the country, but they are intended to protect public health and safety. 2023 The Humane Society of the United States Privacy policy and terms. Because they are chew resistant, stainless steel or wire cages are the best option. Prairie dogs and other animals, as well as their habitats, must be protected, and we must all do our part to do so. Because prairie dogs also eat grass, ranchers and farmers view them as a threat to their livelihoods. Any importation, transportation, or release of live wild animals into the state is prohibited by the law (17-306). The legal status of prairie dogs varies from state to state. Like many puppy foods, the High Prairie Puppy Food is high in protein (28%) and high in fat (17%). If youre looking for a pet in Washington, consider adopting a domesticated species instead. Despite the fact that the animals were technically unwelcome, officials decided to quarantine them until the results of a primate study could be obtained proving that they were not infected with monkeypox. Ownership in some areas may be restricted due to city and county regulations. It is not harmful to come into contact with prairie dog poop, but if you do, do not go into the tissue or fluids of a sick animal. The smell of prairie dogs can be found in their feces. They can be quite vocal, and their barks can be quite loud and shrill. In adult prairie dogs, the female prairie dog kisses the male prairie dog. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than 200 articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. Prairie dogs are undeniably cute and have become increasingly popular as pets in the United States. Having fish can be a fun, worthwhile and satisfying experience. Spaying and neutering both sexes is recommended in order to avoid health problems later in life. For this reason, they may not be suitable to a home with small children who may handle the pet unsupervised. They can be very active, and their behaviors are often quite different from those of more common pets such as dogs and cats. These plants require only a few drops of water per day and a few small amounts of food. As very social creatures, prairie dogs will become depressed or sick if not given enough attention. First and foremost, you need to ensure you have the time, energy, and finances available to properly care for a prairie dog. We acknowledge that it is quite lengthy to read. The ferret is nocturnal and eats small animals, which may make them a threat to prairie dogs. Although based in Southern California, Celeste consults with clients from all over the world. Licensed USDA dealers sell wild prairie dogs to the public, and different dealers will have different methods of collecting the pups. Efforts to educate people about the health risks they face and to reduce those risks can be effective in this regard. Sometimes the damage that animals actually do is much less than believed and sometimes what some see as "damage" is actually a benefit that goes unappreciated. Physical contact between Prairie dogs and ferrets may be used to intimidate or immobilize them. You should also offerwhole oats and fresh vegetables, including raw sweet potatoes and raw carrots. Additionally, prairie dogs are very social creatures and thrive in large groups in the wild. Because they have teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives, they may require supervision when they reach adulthood. Do the cons greatly outweigh the pros? Prairie dogs can make great pets, but there are pros and cons to consider before making the commitment. Prairie dogs are a type of burrowing rodents that are native to North America. The hay-bale will break down over a few years, but by then, the tall plants will be established and difficult for prairie dogs to clip down. Jessica Alexander, a program associate with WWFs Northern Great Plains office, describes her worst experience with an animal bite as a prairie dog bite. There are rodents that are active, playful, and strong, and they can make affectionate pets if purchased as young, socialized well, and given plenty of attention. Their origins lie in the Great Plains region of the United States, which includes Canada and Mexico. However, potential owners should be aware that owning a prairie dog is not legal in all parts of the country. As they become difficult, nippy, and aggressive when not properly handled or socialized, they may not be the best family pet (especially for young children). Consider bringing your prarie dog in for wellness exams to discuss diet, housing, and overall husbandry for recommendations on improvement and to ensure your pet is healthy. However, they require a lot of space and can be noisy, so apartment dwellers may not be suitable. Furs of the black-tail prairie dog are frequently blended with soil. A prairie dog town, also known as a prairie dog suburb, is a community of prairie dogs that live in the same habitat as humans. You should be certain that you can devote the necessary time and effort to owning a prairie dog before purchasing one. It can live in captivity for up to eight years. Prairie dogs engaged in ten aggressive behaviors during interactions with ferrets, including chasing, blocking, and physical contact. Owning A Pet Raccoon: Legal Practical And Ethical Considerations. The care of prairie dogs is difficult at times. The Pros and Cons of Having a Dog. Their short lives allow them to feed on grasses and forbs, as well as clip down taller vegetation to clear sight lines and dig their burrows. There is no such thing as a gender-specific prairie dog pet. Their average lifespan is three to four years in the wild. Prairie dogs play a vital role in maintaining the prairie ecosystem. Prairie dogs are a type of rodent that is native to North America. I have been a happy dog owner for many years now. However, if you can mimic these environmental characteristics, they will do well in captivity. Prairie dogs, on the other hand, contribute to the health of the land and attract predators, both of which are beneficial to farmers. A prairie dog pet may cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000. Should You Keep a Patagonian Cavy (Mara) as a Pet? Dogs are loyal and affectionate. The prairie dog is diurnal, which means it is active in the day while sleeping at night. They are social creatures that live in burrows underground in large colonies. Dogs are great companions for families as well, helping your children grow and (eventually) learn the . There are populations of this species found at higher elevations (called montane populations) and lower elevations (called prairie populations), according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). They are social animals that live in colonies, and they build their homes by digging burrows in the ground. Prairie dogs prefer temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit range. Read our. The Great Plains region of the United States is home to prairie dogs. If you have a bite wound, it should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible to determine the severity of the wound and whether antibiotics are required. They require a lot of attention and a safe, secure environment, so make sure you are prepared to provide them with the best care possible before you make your purchase. When kept as a pet, prairie dogs should be fed a high fiber pellet diet, along withtimothy hayortimothy hay cubes. Do the cons greatly outweigh the pros? Simulating their natural habitat is what dictates their complex needs. It's higher in protein content than beef but also lower in fat content. Do the cons greatly outweigh the pros? Prairie dogs are social animals that live in underground burrows. It is common for prairie dogs to kiss each other on the lips to express their affection. Prairie dogs deserve the same level of enclosure that other types of animals do. Additionally, it's hard for some folks to give up a grassy looking turf. These dogs are frequently preyed upon by rodents, and as a result, they are susceptible to a variety of diseases. However, if you can mimic these environmental characteristics, they will thrive in captivity. The prairie dog is a type of mammal that lives on the Great Plains of the United States.