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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Pet Fox Enclosures: Why You Need An Outdoor Enclosure

“Do I really need an outdoor enclosure for a pet fox?” I get this question quite a bit from potential fox owners, and the answer is always the same. Yes, yes you definitely do. Having an outside area for your fox to safely play is as important as feeding them.

Foxes are extremely high-energy, intelligent animals, so they need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Having an outdoor enclosure helps to work their muscles as they climb and explore, gives them a wide variety of mental stimulation, and perhaps most importantly, gives them exposure to sunshine and outdoor air.


Furthermore, you cannot leave a pet fox unattended in your house. If they are not contained, they need constant supervision. Obviously, you cannot watch your pet 24/7, so you need to have a place you can contain them when you can’t keep an eye on them. A well-built enclosure gives your pet an exciting, engaging place to play and relax when you can’t be there to keep an eye on them. Otherwise, you need to lock them up in a dog crate, or allow them to destroy your house. In that case, neither you nor the fox wins.


Fortunately, a good enclosure isn’t difficult to design or construct. Over the next few weeks, I will be publishing a series of articles on the construction of high-quality enclosures to keep both you and your fox happy.

11 comments:

  1. Hello i'm planning on getting a pet red fox, I am more than willing to care for him including walks, but would rather have a indoor enclosure, I wanted to know if this would be fine. I could make it the size you make yours. Please get back to me

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    Replies
    1. In my view an outdoor enclosure is by far the best, because it can use all of its senses. I will certainly be keeping basil outside

      Delete
  2. Trying to keep a fox inside is unfair to the animal and you and your house will smell like a skunk.

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    Replies
    1. the skunk smell only happens when the fox is very over excited or you end up scaring the crap out of it from what i have read. *shrugs*

      Delete
  3. I have a question. For things in the enclosure for the fox, what things would you recommend getting for them to play with? i have seen they seem to like tunnels and wonder what type of tunnel would be best and made out of what material? i have seen fabric type tunnels is why but i really dont think thats a good idea since Foxs like to chew lol.

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  4. Hi I'm still currently living with my parents, but when I move out I'm thinking on getting a fox. What breed should I get, and can I dress it up in dog clothes once in a while? PS: Gizzmo is really cute.

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    Replies
    1. If you are the kind of person who dresses up pets in clothes, then you are not the kind of person who should keep any exotic pet. Unless they are being put on for the comfort of the animal (i.e. the booties they put on sled dogs, for example), applying clothing is selfish on the part of the human and stressful for the animal.

      To keep a fox, in many ways you have to meet it "half-way" and recognize it's wild nature and strive to meet it's needs in the most complete way you can. The fact that you would even consider dressing it up makes it very clear that you lack that level of maturity or interest in giving it the proper care--you just want a toy.

      A fox is not a toy. Please do not get a fox.

      Delete
  5. is it possible to build a portable outside enclosure? like maybe one on the back of a trailer?

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  6. Do I need an outdoor enclosure? I just worry it might be a little confining. I would rather set up a large doggy door and let the fox go outside at her own will and explore the big forest behind my house and feel free and natural.

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    Replies
    1. Unless you have it double tagged and chipped like Gizmo is, I would not recommend letting your fox roam the woods on her/his own. It could be dangerous for them if someone mistakes them for a wild animal in a place it shouldn't be like in suburbia or if you live in the country and have overzealous neighbors (like I do) that like to put animals in crosshairs (be they cat, dog, or fox), it could be lethal for your furry pal because usually when it comes to that point the human with the gun will probably not see the collar . . . Please think twice before letting your pet fox roam a forest without you there to protect it. Free and natural is good, don't get me wrong, but I don't even ride my HORSES in the fall because we've had instances of LARGE AND QUITE OBVIOUSLY NOT A DEER getting shot because someone didn't think twice before shooting our beloved equine.

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  7. will a chain linked fence work? i have a large backyard.. will they climb it or dig under it?

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