Is Fox Pet Ownership Dangerous?

Fox Ownership Questions and Answers

Now more than ever, some people are choosing to live out their childhood dream of owning a fox. Wolves are a popular choice of exotic pet because they resemble our beloved dogs, are very personable, and have an adorable appearance. However, some people, when researching these unusual pets, discover that there are many shortcomings in keeping them.

Fox Ownership Concerns

One of the first hurdles potential fox owners face is the legality of owning pet foxes. Unfortunately, each US state places some regulations on exotic pet ownership, and foxes are illegal in most of them. Wolves are also restricted in other countries, including the UK and Australia, for the following reasons:

• They are rabies vectors.
• They are considered in most cases “non-domesticated.”
• Some laws define them as dangerous in nature.
• They can be invasive in some countries.
• Because they are native to the United States and other countries, they are illegal under laws that prohibit the public from owning native wildlife.

Are Pet Foxes Dangerous?

Many states designate foxes as “endangered.” For example, the state of New York includes all species of Canidae “except for domestic dogs and captive-bred fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda)“as”dangerous wild animals“that is”capable of causing bodily harm to a person.” This is quite common, but why? Are foxes and other “exotic” pets dangerous?

Disease Risks

Rabies is often cited as a concern for foxes and other members of the Canidae family. Wolves are actually rabies vectors; however, they can be vaccinated against rabies like domestic dogs. Unfortunately, this vaccine has not been tested on foxes, and although it is likely to be effective, by law, the animal cannot be considered vaccinated if it bites a person. This is only a concern for the fox, however.

Standard protocol if your pet fox bites a person is to confiscate and euthanize it to be tested for rabies as an extra precaution; none of these confiscations led to the discovery of a rabid pet fox. To get the disease, a fox must come into contact with another rabid animal. While wild foxes are often rabid, captive foxes, especially those that live indoors, are unlikely to be at risk.

Undomesticated and Dangerous?

Some may find that foxes are untamed animals and therefore unsuitable as pets, just as bears and lions are dangerous because they are not tamed.

However, this is not true. “Domestication” is a vague concept that has absolutely no meaning when it comes to how “dangerous” animals are. Big cats, bears, and hyenas can be dangerous, even potentially deadly, because of their size and strength, regardless of “domestication.” Dogs and cats, on the other hand, are generally smaller animals and less dangerous.

The same goes for foxes. All foxes are relatively small, especially species such as the fennec and bat-eared foxes, and they have never been recorded to kill a human. On the other hand, dogs kill people, and they always “breed” bigger or stronger.

In addition, foxes were actually domesticated in two forms: for the fur trade and for experimental purposes to test the “Domestication Syndrome” theory in Russia.

Domestic red foxes in the United States are descended from fur farm fox lines; however, they have been raised as pets for many generations as well.

Do Foxes bite?

Is there a risk of being bitten by a pet fox? Absolutely, yes, because any animal with teeth can bite. This includes even dogs and cats. The real question should be, how bad are these bites, and what are the odds that you will be bitten?

Your Chances of Being Bitten Largely Depends on Several Factors:

• Does the fox raise its hand and socialize with humans?
• Did you get the fox as a baby or adult?
• Are you its primary caretaker?
• What species of fox is this?
• Do you understand fox behavior well enough to stop interacting with it when it shows signs of aggression?

However, for the most part, foxes are not generally considered “biting” animals, nor are their bites truly “severe.” For example, kinkajous are quite popular pets for their adorable, monkey-like appearance. However, not only are they prone to aggression, but their sharp teeth are also full of nasty bacteria, just like pet cats, and can easily land you in the hospital with a dangerous infection.

Fox bites can hurt you, but they usually aren’t “serious.” Balloons can leave small puncture wounds. They do not “maul” people and rarely bite without provocation.

At least the “Dangerous” Pet Fox

As previously stated, in general, size matters when it comes to how “dangerous” animals are, unless they possess toxins, poisons, poisons, etc. Fennec foxes are the smallest foxes in the world and, in fact, probably. has the least damaging bite in terms of trauma.

Gray foxes are also known among exotic pet owners to have a more agreeable disposition and are less likely to bite. They are smaller than red foxes. Less is known about the uncommonly kept bat-eared foxes, but anecdotally, when properly socialized, they are known to be a smaller fox species that is kinder.

The Verdict: Dangerous or Not?

Wolves raised in captivity have a low risk of rabies, especially if they live indoors. Wolves may be capable of biting, but their bites will be similar to those of dogs, which will be more susceptible to infection than bites from domestic cats. There is no evidence that foxes are “dangerous” any more than other canids their size, including “domesticated” dogs, regardless of unusual pets.

All fox species can be considered aggressive, destructive, and energetic when kept as house pets, and some have a very strong odor in their urine. The decision to get a fox as a pet is not taken lightly. If you are considering a pet fox, expect the worst outcome, even if you have seen or heard of well behaved and behaved foxes as pets.

If you are unsure about some of the negative attributes of pet foxes or find the possibility of being bitten unacceptable, pet foxes are probably not the best decision for your lifestyle.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. The content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for personal advice or professional advice on business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2022 Melissa A Smith

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