How to Get a Pet Prairie Dog
Prairie dogs are endearing pets, but they take special maintenance. An adult prairie dog can reach up to 16 inches in length and weigh up to four pounds. They can live up to nine years in captivity, which is a long life-span for a small animal. Instead of being a nocturnal pet that will keep you up at night, they will be awake during the day with everyone else in the house. They are very sociable and require a lot of attention.
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Instructions
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Research your state or country's regulations to make confirm that you can legally keep a prairie dog as a pet. An exotic pet store in your area should be able to let you know the local laws.
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Find an exotic pet owner's club in your area and ask around about the best place to purchase a pet prairie dog. Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to confirm whether there have been any complaints against the pet store or breeder you are considering.
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Choose a prairie dog that is still a pup. The younger they are, the more easily you will be able to tame them. You can still tame an adult, but not as easily or reliably.
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Confirm that the prairie dog you purchase is the black-tailed variety and not the white-tailed kind. Back-tailed prairie dogs are far more sociable and easy to tame.
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Examine the eyes and nose to see that they are free of discharge and that the animal looks well-fed and healthy. The prairie dog should be curious and easy to hold and play with.
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Tips & Warnings
In most states, it is illegal to move prairie dogs from one state to another.
Pet Connect website states that as soon as you purchase a prairie dog take it to a vet that specializes in small exotics to be sure he is healthy and disease-free.
References
- Photo Credit prairie dog image by Grzegorz Kwolek from Fotolia.com
