Fennec Fox Cost: 14 Facts About Price, Legality, Care Guides
Strange and unusual things have always interested people, and exotic animals have often been used as signs of power and wealth.
Even wealthy people in ancient Rome, Greece, China, and Egypt kept exotic animals like elephants, monkeys, and big cats as a way to show off their wealth.
Exotic animal lovers have recently become interested in the tiny Fennec Fox. They make great pets because they are small and easier to care for than bigger exotics. Is it the new sign of success? Most likely not.
Fans love how cute they look and how big their ears are. Are they priced in a fair way? What you mean by the word makes a difference.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Fennec Fox?
If you want a fennec fox as your first exotic pet, you might spend between $2,500 and $3,500, depending on many things like demand and the breeder you choose. Shipping costs and, of course, the first and ongoing costs could be higher.
The price of a fennec fox is much higher than that of most other pets, and for good reason. They are not kept as pets as much as other exotic animals, and you can only get them from a few breeders.
The Reasons Fennec Foxes Are Expensive
Responsible Breeders of fennecs care a lot about their animals and spend a lot of time and money to make a litter of cute little foxes. Let’s take a look at the parts of a fox kit that make it so expensive.
An Exotic Pet
Fennecs are considered exotic because they are not usually kept as pets and are not easy to find in pet stores. They are also wild animals that are not from the United States, can’t be tamed, and need special care.
Due to how rare they are and how different they look and act, exotic pets often cost a lot.
Aside from the cost of buying a breeding pair or two of Fennec Foxes, breeders must also make sure that their animals are regularly checked by a vet who knows how to care for exotic animals.
Routine checkups, immunizations, blood tests, specific vitamins, and supplements quickly add up, and the kits’ prices reflect this.
Special Housing Requirements
Fennec fox breeders can’t do what most dog breeders do and let their breeding stock roam around the house freely.
If the breeder has a lot of breeding pairs, each may need its own space. If the breeder lives in a warm area, each pair may also need its own outdoor cage.
When temperatures rise and fall, fennec foxes in the wild use their burrows to stay warm. Even if the foxes are kept outside, the breeder still needs to keep a close eye on the temperature in the cage.
Aside from heating and cooling and a place to live, breeders also have to pay for litter for the litter boxes, toys, exercise climbing equipment, and a lot of other things that have to do with housing and entertaining these small animals.
Usually Only One Breeding Season Per Year
Every year, Fennec Foxes usually have one litter of two to five babies in the spring. If none of the babies live to adulthood, they may try again the next year, but this is rare.
Some breeders would take the babies away from the parents soon after they were born in the hopes that the parents would have another litter. The kits will then be lifted by hand.
This seems unfair to the foxes, but it makes kits who are sensitive and don’t mind being held.
Small litters that only happen once in a while are a big reason why the kits cost so much.
Dietary Requirements
When a breeder feeds this perfect diet to several Fennecs every day, the cost of food quickly adds up, so the price of the kits has to go up.
High Demand But Few Breeders
When an unusual pet like the Fennec Fox becomes popular, like it is now, demand goes through the roof. There aren’t enough certified Fennec Fox breeders, and there aren’t enough of them, either.
In fact, if you want to buy one of these handsome little boys, you can expect to be put on a waiting list for the next litter. Often, the next litter is already spoken for, and you may have to wait up to a year or more to put down a deposit on a kit.
If there were too many licensed breeders, average costs would definitely go down, but that is not the case right now.
Licensing, Permits, And Inspections
American breeders of Fennec Foxes must get a certificate from the US Department of Agriculture before they can sell their animals (USDA).
Laws vary by state, but in some, you need permission to keep a Fennec Fox on your property, even if you don’t plan to breed it.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service will check on people who have a USDA license at random and without notice (APHIS).
Breeders have to pay money every year to keep their facilities clean, up-to-date, and in line with USDA rules. They also have to pay for their licenses and any necessary permits every year.
Shipping Fees
Because there are so few real Fennec Fox breeders, you’ll have to go a long way to get your new pet and pay for gas, food, and a place to stay, or you’ll have to pay to have him sent to you. Most breeders will send their foxes to other countries, but who pays for it?
To Ensure Good Homes
Fennec foxes may cost a lot to take care of in general. Costlier commercial food and/or a special diet, outdoor enclosures, a special spot inside the house, a crate or multi-level cage, toys, cleaning supplies, and so on all cost money.
It may seem harsh, but it’s in the best interest of the fox for the breeder to charge a lot of money. This way, people who can’t afford to care for a Fennec Fox for the rest of his life won’t be able to buy one.
For example, it would be terrible if someone spent all of their money on a fox and then couldn’t afford to take care of it. Fennecs are known for being hard to place, so this would be a disaster.
Is It Legal to Own a Fennec Fox?
It’s easy to get excited about getting a fennec fox and being known as someone with a “exotic pet.” You should first make sure that having one is legal where you live. I did some research to find out if it was legal to have a fennec fox as a pet.
Good news is, there is good news! The only places where you can’t own a fennec fox are Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, and Washington. If you live in one of these states and break this rule, you could get a fine and/or go to jail.
In places where it is legal, he needs a special permit to travel and have his strange animal with him.
It’s also important to know that even though a state law says it’s legal to buy a fennec fox, this may not be true in all cities and towns in that state.
Still, you should find out what the rules are in your area to make sure you don’t run into any problems when you bring your new pet home.
On this list are other countries where it is legal to own a fennec fox:
- Austria
- Netherlands (Holland)
- Poland
- Switzerland
- Latvia
- Hungary
- Romania
- United Kingdom
- Scotland
- Germany
- Finland
- Norway
- Denmark
- France
- Belgium
- Turkey
- Spain
- Korea
- South Africa
- Ethiopia
- Djibouti
Pay attention to the fact that each country has its own rules about how to legally buy and keep a fennec fox.
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Fennec Fox From a Rescue or Shelter?
Adopting seems like a good option, especially for people who can’t pay the full price of a fennec fox. But there aren’t many chances to get a fennec fox as a pet.
Most rescues and sanctuaries take them in and ask for donations to run the place and keep these beautiful foxes safe.
There have also been worries about the way a fox that was rescued acts. Unlike cats and dogs, who are easy to socialize, fennec foxes form strong bonds with the first people who take care of them. Because of this, they can’t adjust well to their new owners.
They will be hard to change because they were raised in the wild, and they may act violently. It is important to talk to the rescue group about your worries and make sure you will get a healthy, well-adjusted fennec fox.
Initial Cost of Fennec Fox Ownership
The high cost of getting a fennec fox will hurt your bank account, but the cost of getting one in the first place will give your wallet a break. You only need a few things to make them feel comfortable and safe in their new home.
Some of the first things you will need to buy are:
- Most of the time, it’s best to keep a fennec fox inside, especially when it’s cold outside. You can buy an indoor enclosure for about $150. During the warmer months, you can keep them outside in a cage with a roof that costs about $250.
- Bedding: For about $40, you can get comfortable bedding for your kids that will help them sleep well and peacefully.
- You can give your fennec fox normal wet food. Just make sure it’s mostly meat and doesn’t have any grains. This can be bought at your local pet store for about $40.
- Food and Water Bowls: Give your fox a strong food and water bowl to keep your carpets from getting dirty. Both can be bought for $20.
- Toys are fun for fennec foxes to play with. They would love a nice stuffed animal and a ball to play with. You can buy these toys for about $15.
- Leash or Harness: If you want to walk your fox, you should get a good quality leash or an H-harness to keep them safe. For as little as $20, this can be done.
- People know that fennec foxes like to dig holes. Make a temporary sandbox in your back yard and fill it with sand to keep kids from digging in your house. A 20-pound bag of sand costs about $30.
Here is a breakdown of how much it costs to buy a fennec fox at first:
| Type of Expense | Average Price |
| Indoor and Outdoor Enclosure | $400 |
| Bedding | $40 |
| Food | $40 |
| Food and Water Bowls | $20 |
| Toys | $15 |
| Leash or Harness | $20 |
| Sand | $90 |
| Total Initial Cost | $625 |
Ongoing Cost of Fennec Fox Ownership
After the initial cost of keeping a fennec fox, you need to plan for ongoing costs, such as buying food, fixing old or broken things, and taking the fox to the vet.
I broke this part into monthly and yearly costs so that it would be easier to keep track of.
Monthly Expenses
You’ll be happy to hear that you won’t have to spend as much money to feed and take care of your fennec fox. Most of the cost of keeping a fennec fox each month goes toward food.
Wet food should cost about $160 a month for the owner. This is about the same as what a normal dog would eat.
With this amount, you won’t be able to give your fennec wet food every day, so you’ll have to make raw food instead.
By making your own fresh, raw food, you could save about $120 a month.
Yearly Expenses
Toys, food bowls, and other things that are broken or worn out might also need to be replaced. The cost of keeping a fennec fox for a year is estimated in the table below:
| Type of Expense | Yearly Estimate |
| Food | $1,440 |
| Veterinary Checkups and Treatment | $50 – $100 |
| Annual Blood Test | $100 – $200 |
| Sand | $180 |
| Other Expenses | $120 |
| Total Yearly Cost | $1,890 – $2,040 |
Between $1,890 and $2,040 per year is how much it costs to care for a fennec fox. This is cheaper than other dog breeds, which can cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
Lifetime Expenses of Owning a Fennec Fox
Fennec foxes are friendly, and they can live between 10 and 14 years. It’s nice to have a fox friend until they die, but it comes at a price.
Costs range from $1,890 to $2,040 per year, so if a fennec lives for 14 years, the total cost of keeping it will be between $26,460 and $28,560.
These numbers could, of course, change a lot depending on how well you treat your pet fox. You should also plan for costs you didn’t expect.
Other Potential Expenses
Other things you might have to pay for if you have a fennec fox are the same as if you had any other pet. You might need to set up an emergency budget for things like this or to improve the health of your pet.
- Accidents can happen at any time, even if they involve your fennec fox. Because they are flighty, they might feel like they have to run away if they are left outside without a leash. Running vehicles could hurt your fennec fox by accident. Depending on how bad the injury is, treatment can cost anywhere from $800 to $1,500.
- Care for their teeth: Just like dogs, foxes can have problems with their teeth. Cleaning or taking out teeth may be needed. This could cost between $450 and $1,000.
- Spaying or neutering your fennec fox is not required, but it may make males less aggressive. In general, females are more aggressive, so spaying them is not a good idea. If you think it is necessary, though, the surgery will cost between $150 and $400.
- Fennec foxes like to dig holes. If you don’t have a sandbox, your fox will try to dig through your door or couch. This could mean that you have to pay anywhere from $150 to $400 more to fix your door or buy new furniture.
- Enclosure ramps: Another thing fennecs like to do is jump. Install ramps in your fox’s enclosure to keep it from jumping up on tables and kitchen counters. Between $10 and $30 will be spent on materials and installation.
Common Health Issues of Fennec Fox and Their Cost of Treatment
If you feed your fennec fox good food and keep it in a safe place, it shouldn’t need to see a vet very often.
Fennec foxes are dogs, and they get the same kinds of health problems that dogs do:
- Fleas and Parasites: Your pet can get parasites from the outside and inside, like fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms. Sarcoptic mange is a common skin condition that happens when a parasitic mite burrows into your fox’s skin. This illness can be treated with both topical and oral medicines that cost anywhere from $20 to $150.
- Mitral Valve Disease occurs when one of the four heart valves, the mitral valve, thickens and fails to close or seal properly.If your fennec fox shows signs of mitral valve disease, you should set aside $500 to $2,000 for treatment.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: If you feed your fox chocolate, grapes, and raisins, it could get chronic kidney disease or even fail its kidneys. It needs therapy for a long time, which costs between $100 and $500 a month.
Places to Find Baby Fennec Foxes for Sale or Adoption
Many people who aren’t registered breeders sell them for a lot less, but you might get sick or angry fennec foxes.
Here is a list of registered breeders from whom you can buy a fennec fox:
- Dragonstone Ranch is a breeder licensed by the USDA that is run by a family in Texas. They breed and sell exotic animals like fennec foxes to private homes, ranches, and zoos. People should only buy these foxes if they want to keep them as pets and not breed them.
- Janda Exotics Animal Ranch is another licensed breeder and zoo that gives exotic animals, like fennec foxes, a safe and healthy place to live. Kits are priced based on their gender, how they look, and how they act.
- Panhandle Exotics is a pet store in Florida that has been run by the same family since 2012. They sell exotic animals like fennec foxes. Some of these animals come from licensed breeders and zoos. They enjoy raising them. They help people who can’t pay the whole amount because they don’t have enough money.
- Underground Reptiles: Since 1988, people have been able to buy snakes, turtles, and even the popular fennec fox from this pet business. You won’t have to worry about food or supplies because they sell both on their website.
If the breeder’s prices are too high for you, you might look into rescues where you can adopt a fennec fox for a small fee.
Here is a list of places where you can adopt a fennec fox:
- SaveAFox Rescue: Since its inception in 2017, this organization has assisted 150 foxes in finding new homes.To pass the application, applicants must know a vet who can check on and treat fennec foxes.
- Foxes’ Journey Sanctuary is a place in Michigan where many different kinds of foxes, like fennec foxes, can live out the rest of their lives. They have a big place where all of the foxes they have saved can run around in cages and get better.
- Critter Camp is another safe place for animals that is approved by the USDA. It is home to more than 300 animals from 30 different species. They worked with Petfinder to give you an up-to-date list of fennec foxes and other exotic animals that are up for adoption.
Strategies Fennec Fox owners use to save money
Having a fennec as a pet can be expensive, so it’s always a good idea to know how to save money to keep pet costs to a minimum. With these tips, you can keep your fox in great shape and save money at the same time.
Money-Saving Tips for Fennec Fox Owners
Food sold in packs or cans is much more expensive than food sold in bulk. You can buy them at local pet stores or straight from the company that makes them. You can even save money by giving them raw meat, bugs, and vegetables.
How To Locate Fennec Fox Breeders
It might be hard to find a real breeder of Fennec foxes. We spent a whole day calling and emailing online breeders. After 30 phone calls and emails, only Tree Top Exotics answered.
Most Fennec breeders export their foxes, so it might be enough to find just one good breeder.
It’s important to know that on many websites that list breeders, some listings are out of date, some “breeders” are actually sellers or exhibitors, and only a few are licensed breeders.
We don’t recommend buying from an online store or a dealer because you can’t be sure the animal is healthy or that it was raised well and is used to being handled.
You also run the risk of getting an animal that was taken from the wild without permission. In fact, it is against the law to buy a Fennec from someone who is not allowed to breed them.
If you can’t find a reputable breeder, you could try contacting someone who shows exotic animals. They might show you the right way. You could also use social media to let people know you are looking for a licensed breeder.
Is Adopting An Older Fennec Fox A Good Idea?
They don’t get along well with their new owners and don’t form strong bonds with them. The best choice is to buy a fox that has just stopped nursing.
Fennec Fox Fun Facts
National Geographic says that their ears, which look like bat ears and can grow to be half the size of their bodies, keep them cool by sending heat away from their bodies.
They also have long, thick hair all over their bodies, even on their feet, which helps keep them cool.
Just like dogs, fennec foxes use their urine to mark their territory. They are so possessive and protective that when it’s time for them to mate in the desert, they might become hostile.
They act like dogs, except that they are faster and purr like cats. However, because they are not domesticated, they need a lot of socialization. Small wild canids are used to living in groups, so it takes time to teach them to live alone.
Fennecs also like to dig in the ground to find food and a place to live. Their burrows can be as big as 1,290 square feet, so keep them out of your garden by putting up cages that are high enough for them to jump over.
They can live with little or no water, and the food they eat is the main way they get it. This is because their kidneys have changed over time to only let in a small amount of water in deserts. This doesn’t mean they shouldn’t drink water, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Fennec Foxes Good Pets?
If you want an active, friendly, and exotic-looking pet, a fennec fox is a great choice. Aside from a few differences, they act like dogs most of the time.
They don’t respond to their names and aren’t as affectionate, but they do like to be held every once in a while.
It might take a while to train them, but if you stick with it, they might be the most loyal pets you’ve ever had. They will show their owners, each in their own way, how happy and caring they can be.
Are Fennec Foxes Dangerous?
They are often portrayed as dangerous because they are strange. Even though fennec foxes can be violent when protecting their territory and young in the wild, if breeders treat them like family, they will probably grow up to be well-adjusted.
As pets, they are very active, playful, and aware of their surroundings, but they would never attack a person out of the blue.
Can Fennec Foxes Be Potty Trained?
Most people find that potty training is the hardest part of owning a fennec fox. They might be very dirty, and they often go to the bathroom in the house without being asked.
Some people were able to teach them how to use a litter box or get used to using toilet paper. If you work hard enough, you can teach your pet to use the toilet in a good way by giving it good things.
What Is the Cheapest Exotic Pet?
One can be bought for anywhere between $5 and $35. But this doesn’t include the extra costs of keeping them in good shape.
Why Are Foxes Illegal in Texas?
Even though you can own a fennec fox in Texas, you can’t keep a red fox as a pet. This is due to the abundance of wild red foxes in North Central Texas.They are protected and kept safe by the state government.
Final Thoughts: Are Fennec Foxes Worth Their Price?
Even though they cost a fortune, fennec foxes are still one of the most popular exotic pets. They are very cute because of their unique appearance and dog-like behaviour.
Even though fennec foxes are one of the most expensive animals to buy, the costs of keeping them are low and about the same as keeping a cat or dog.
They are usually healthy animals that, with the right care and environment, can live to be old.
Over time, they will show their owners a loyalty that can’t be beat. This makes them worth the money and work you put into them.
I have been working in animal shelter for the past six years and I have been raising the puppies of different breeds. I have had experience in training the puppies in obedience, agility, and other dog sports.
My main objective is to train the puppies to become good family pets. They should be well-behaved and trained to be loving, loyal, and obedient.
Contact me:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (912) 634-3631
Address: 102 Village Way Crk Saint Simons Island, Georgia(GA), 31522
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