Pet ownership in itself can be enough of a confusing time trying to learn what specific needs your new friend requires, even if you were speaking of something relatively basic, like a cat or a dog.
However, exotic pets, especially ones that cannot be easily obtained at a local animal rescue or pet shop, can prove to be uniquely challenging in both care and acquisition. Prairie dogs fit just such a niche. However, can you own a prairie dog in the United States?
In certain states, you can legally own them, but in others, this may not be true. Therefore, it is essential to determine which states do and which do not.
Even more cumbersome would be the states that have specific rules and regulations in place regarding the ownership of prairie dogs, with some areas requiring a license and others outright prohibiting the practice. Still, it’s safe to say that the possibility does exist, depending on where you live.
In this article, we will briefly discuss some of the legalities surrounding prairie dogs in the USA, including whether a license is required, which states permit their purchase, and more. If you are interested in investing in a prairie dog, we recommend reading more information.
Are Prairie Dogs Legal in the US?
Yes, there are a handful of states that will allow people to own prairie dogs as pets. Still, they are usually constrained on how you go about this process, as well as what qualifications and specific property setups you’ll need to prove before you can purchase one and begin taking care of it.
Even more to the point, owning prairie dogs may be legal in your desired state of choice, but this is much more challenging to to than one might expect, between certifications, dietary needs, habitats being created, and typically owning several of them to meet the animal’s unique social needs, it’s not a choice to be taken lightly.
Can You Buy Prairie Dogs in the US?
In much the same way you can purchase a prairie dog from a reputed seller, or licensed breeder, this process is truthfully only allowed in the states that will enable you to do so in the first place, purchasing them illegally, or attempting to sneak them into a state that does not allow them to be there may result in a fine, confiscation of your pet, and depending on other factors, potentially jail time.
As such, you’ll want to diligently follow all rules, regulations, proof of ownership, and other legal metrics to guarantee you stay out of trouble. If you aren’t sure whether or not you are allowed to own them in your specific state, you would be wise to save yourself the time, trouble, and potentially legal costs of just assuming.
What US States Have Prairie Dogs?
Several states have prairie dogs in them, with a vast majority of them being:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Kansa
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Wyoming
Before moving on, it cannot be emphasized enough, that just because these states have prairie dogs in them, it is in no way, shape, or form, permission for anyone to own them, especially if you were to go outside and capture one, or some similar turn of events were to transpire, leading you to having one in captivity.
Prairie dogs have particular dietary needs, social structures that must be adhered to for the animal to have a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and ultimately, they don’t really do well as pets to begin with, as it’s possible to keep them, but severely limits the animal’s overall quality of life.
Do You Need a Licence to Own a Prairie Dog?
It varies significantly between states, with even more lines becoming blurred when considering the unique differences between state and local laws. This means you can work around a technicality, but the opposite may ring true. You risk being fined, potentially losing your pet entirely.
In the states where you can own a prairie dog, you will typically need some license or permit to prove you actively have the right to take care of that animal. Still, there are places and circumstances where it is not necessary; you should check your local law guidelines before getting one, regardless of where you live.
Are Prairie Dogs Good Pets?
Truthfully, this boils down to what someone would define as a good pet, if you are working with the idea that a good pet can interact with you, have a good time, and alleviate boredom to some degree. In that case, then yes, a prairie dog can qualify as a good pet, but things aren’t that simple.
Taking a slightly different stance, and allowing the overall health and quality of the pet itself to enter the equation, then no, prairie dogs are not good pets, because it is tough for most people to make the time to adequately provide a living space that is conducive to a fulfilling life. Never mind how expensive it is to create such an environment, then keep it safe enough to avoid hurting yourself in the long run, should nature run its course.
Suppose the above wasn’t enough to make you reconsider. In that case, some other unique qualities of the prairie dog itself might, for instance, prairie dogs are essentially wild animals, regardless of how much time you spend with them, and have been known to display aggression, have a litany of different medical issues that can befall them in a perfect habitat, nevermind one catered toward human interaction. Finally, they can transmit several diseases to humans, making these simple interactions dangerous at times.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Prairie Dog?
As with all things in life, there are pros and cons to anything, and prairie dogs are no exception. Still, these wild animals have unique qualities that can equally bolster or hinder someone’s quality of life, so let’s explore them below:
| PROS | CONS |
| Affectionate | Continuously growing teeth |
| Diurnal animals | May show aggression if not socialized properly |
| Live a long time | Illegal in some states |
| No need for walks | Need lots of space |
| Need lots of attention |
Pros:
One of the most exquisite things about prairie dogs boils down to how interesting they are to observe at a glance, and interact with if you desire a more hands-on approach (assuming you are cautious about how you handle them, of course).
1. They Are Affectionate
Prairie dogs are one of the most affectionate wild animals you can get as a pet. Because they aren’t directly dangerous, this makes them desirable to many people who hope to skirt the boundary between humanity and nature. Owners who truthfully invest in the animals get to see a very loving and long-standing bond between them.
2. Prairie Dogs Are Diurnal
Despite being more of a wild animal than a pet, the passive qualities that prairie dogs display make them very fun to hang out with, especially for people who work from home and can candidly watch them from afar, and interact with them periodically throughout the day, which is when they are most active, making such a living arrangement ideal.
3. They Live a Long Time
Unlike sure outdoor only pets, prairie dogs can live for a relatively long time, all things considered, bolstering a lifespan of ten years on average, it makes sense why someone might envision a life with them and their family, especially if said family is more geared to a stay at home mentality, and much less keen on the hustle and bustle of city life.
4. You Do Not Need to Walk Them
Regardless of whether you are busy or perhaps even a little lazy, prairie dogs are perfectly capable of taking care of their outdoor needs by themselves, probably because they are a wild animal at heart. Still, the point remains that you won’t need to worry about leashing them and taking them for a stroll, because their day-to-day lives provide them with all the exercise and enrichment they need. Still, you could supply a few safe toys and help supplement their enjoyment from time to time!
Cons:
It isn’t always sunshine and smiles, and when someone attempts to domesticate a wild animal, the outcomes are not usually as grand as you might think. Unfortunately, having a prairie dog does not play out like a Disney fairytale, with every creature in creation attempting to sing a song with you when you step out the front door. Taking care of these little guys is a full-time job, which is relatively remarkable, considering they are more than capable of surviving on their own.
1. Their Teeth Do Not Stop Growing
A prairie dog’s teeth are in a constant state of growth, partially due to the hard lifestyle that is expected of them. How vital their teeth are to their survival, and partially to try and dissuade someone from owning one. All jokes aside, you’ll need to be wary of this and provide toys to help stem the tide of growth, or keep a vigilant eye on them, and ensure their teeth aren’t injuring them.
2. May Be Aggressive if Not Socialized Properly
As you might expect, wild animals are known for showing some level of aggression. At the same time, their views can be watered down if you spend enough time with them to get to know them. Further, a bit of pseudo pack learning can be learned if you own several generations of them, but if you don’t interact with them in a safe and caring way, they may react very violently to you attempting to pet or hold one without their consent.
3. Are Illegal in Some States
Ownership can be a tough thing to organize, with rules and stipulations being extremely unclear in certain areas. It may take vast amounts of time and effort to prove you are worthy of owning one. Even worse, these verifications may need to be renewed regularly instead of being a one-time event. So, you can look forward to some hardships in attempting to own one, typically, never mind if the state you are living in expressly forbids ownership entirely.
It’s doubtful anyone would move states to own a prairie dog, but if that someone is you, definitely do the research required to ensure you are moving to a prairie friendly state, and look into how long any courses, permits, licenses, and other hoops you might need to jump take to overcome, and formulate a plan before setting out.
4. Prairie Dogs Need Lots of Space to Burrow
Another critical issue with owning a wild animal is that its natural needs take precedence over your expectations as an owner. To that end, you might not have enough suitable land to allow them to burrow and explore. Now, this can be solved by building vast enclosures and other intricate designs. Still, if your home and property need to take a significant hit to accommodate these animals, you may want to reconsider housing them.
5. Needs Lots of Care and Attention
Nature can be a very harsh and unforgiving place. While they may not be much of a concern in a vast number of places, if you opt to take on a prairie dog as a pet, all of the natural issues that might befall them suddenly become an issue for you to overcome. Things like genetic illnesses that naturally befall the animal, as well as diseases and sicknesses to which they are prone, all now become your responsibility.
Sadly enough, that is just the tip of the iceberg, as their daily life, nourishment, enrichment, social interactions, housing, safety, and every other subtle nuance of pet ownership are also directly your responsibility. This mountain can be treacherous if people aren’t careful, especially if something unfortunate were to occur.
Is Owning a Prairie Dog the Right Choice for You?
Take some time to assess what you stand to gain by owning a prairie, and what the animal itself would gain, having you as an owner, as well as what that life might entail, as well as your list of pros and cons, and weigh the options out. If you have ample room on your property, the time to invest in taking care of them, and the patience to secure your land from their innate predators, then, with state approval, prairie dogs might be the perfect addition to your family. Still, if not, at least you thought it out, instead of subjecting an animal to your whims.
