Skip to main content

Want A Pet Fox?

You can have a pet domesticated fox of your very own – from the Russian fox farm I’ve previously written about – for the low low price of just $5,950.

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


You can have a pet domesticated fox of your very own - from the Russian fox farm I've previously written about - for the low low price of just $5,950.

domestic fox.jpg

Figure 1: Isn't he cute? Click to embiggen.


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


Check it out.

According to the website,

Housing:

Foxes can live outside or inside.They need shade from excessive heat and rain. A bed or blanket is nice, but optional.

If the fox lives outside, the cage should have a bottom or the walls of the cage should be dug in deep enough so that the fox cannot dig a hole and escape.

Inside your house, they will snuggle on a bed like a cat.

During the adaptation period a medium or large dog crate would also be helpful.

Food:

At the farm, foxes consume a specially designed diet consisting of meat, fish, vegetables, and vitamins, but canned food for medium-size dogs serves all their nutritional needs.

Grown foxes should consume approximately 1-1.5 pounds of food per day. Vegetables such as cabbage or carrots help the digestive process. Potatoes and tomatoes are not recommended. Food should not contain too much fat or bone. Overfeeding is not recommended, and water should always be available.

The quality of a diet can be determined from the condition of the fox's fur. Foxes with a good diet will have silky, shiny fur. In addition, the fox will be energetic and playful.

Daily Habits:

You can walk your fox on a leash. Foxes can also be trained to use a litter box. Generally, foxes get along well with dogs and cats and often learn their habits.

During the molting period (over the summer), the fox should have its hair brushed regularly.

Of course, you might want to check if it's even legal to own a domesticated fox, in your state.

So...who has an extra $6000 lying around that they'd like to offer me? I will feed him and love him and care for him and name him Honest John.

(via @sciencepunk, of the Sciencepunk blog)

Jason G. Goldman is a science journalist based in Los Angeles. He has written about animal behavior, wildlife biology, conservation, and ecology for Scientific American, Los Angeles magazine, the Washington Post, the Guardian, the BBC, Conservation magazine, and elsewhere. He contributes to Scientific American's "60-Second Science" podcast, and is co-editor of Science Blogging: The Essential Guide (Yale University Press). He enjoys sharing his wildlife knowledge on television and on the radio, and often speaks to the public about wildlife and science communication.

More by Jason G. Goldman