Pet Fennec Fox Legal States 2025

A fennec fox is a wild animal that requires special care if it is to be kept as a pet. Because they could pose a danger to people, many states have banned fennec foxes as pets. Several states have banned keeping fennec foxes as exotic pets even with permitting and licensing.

However, some states permit the fennec fox as a pet, as long as the right permits are obtained. Delaware, Florida, Maine, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Wisconsin will allow people to keep fennec foxes as pets if they have the proper permits, licenses, or health certificates for the animals. In Florida, pet owners will need to acquire a Class III permit to keep a fennec fox as a pet.

There are a few states in the U.S. that will allow fennec foxes without any special permitting or licensing. These states include Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. New York also allows residents to keep a fennec fox as a pet, but they are not allowed in New York City.

Do Fennec Foxes Make Good Pets?

While the fennec fox certainly looks adorable and cuddly, it is important to remember that even foxes bred in captivity are still wild animals. They usually aren’t cuddly with humans and they can be skittish and startle easily. Fennec foxes are also nocturnal, so they sleep during the day when most people are awake. They have high levels of energy and noise at night, which makes them harder to care for than a traditional pet like a dog or cat.

How Should I Care for a Fennec Fox?

If you decide a fennec fox is a pet for you, it is essential that you focus on their diet. Although it can be challenging to replicate the fennec fox’s wild diet, you’ll want to try to provide a high-protein diet for your pet. Raw and cooked meats, frozen feeder mice, and the occasional egg are the best way to keep your pet fox healthy. Some fennec fox owners feed their foxes a mix of dog food, vegetables, and fruit. Try to avoid giving your fennec fox commercial-produced cat food. Although it can sustain your fox, this isn’t the most natural approach.

Provide your fennec fox with the right cage and housing to keep your pet comfortable and safe. While keeping your fox in a suitably sized cage for some portion of the day is acceptable, they’ll need plenty of time to exercise and play outside the cage to burn off some energy. A small cat carrier can work well when transporting your fox to the veterinarian. There have been mixed reviews about training a fennec fox to use a litter box, but most people have been mainly unsuccessful.