Prairie Dog Legal States 2025

It is very possible for prairie dogs to be dangerous to own. These animals are not considered normal domestic pets, so they are prone to unpredictable behavior. If you are considering owning prairie dogs, you need to make sure you have plenty of space for them to spread out. Furthermore, there are a lot of states where prairie dogs are illegal. You need to make sure you check with local regulations to ensure you are allowed to own prairie dogs. Even if you can own one, there is a high likelihood that you will need to have a special permit to have one in your home. Learn more about the process of owning a prairie dog in your home, and make sure you have the necessary paperwork.

Where Are You Allowed To Own a Prairie Dog?

There are a few states where prairie dogs are considered legal. Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin allow you to own a prairie dog. While you might not need any special paperwork if you want to have a prairie dog in these states, many of them allow the local areas to dictate their own rules and regulations. You need to check with your city to see if you need to own a prairie dog.

There are also several states where you can own a prairie dog, but you might need some additional paperwork and permits. They include Alabama, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wyoming.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data on this page, prospective prairie dog owners should always consult local authorities to ensure their pets will be allowed in their specific state/county/town of residence.

What Do You Need To Take Care of a Prairie Dog?

You need to have a lot of information if you want to own prairie dogs. First, you need to make sure you have the necessary documentation for the vet. There are probably a lot of vets around you, but not all of them are going to be comfortable taking care of prairie dogs. Make sure you have a vet that can take care of the prairie dog if you bring it in for a visit. You also need to make sure that you have the right food for your prairie dog. These animals eat a lot during the day, so ensure you have the right nutrition. Finally, you should have plenty of space for the prairie dog to spread out.

Are Prairie Dogs Good With Children?

A few prairie dogs might be good with kids, but a lot of it has to do with how the prairie dog is raised. If you have a prairie dog that has been around children from birth, it is probably going to be very comfortable with kids. On the other hand, if the prairie dog has not been around kids during its life, it probably will have a hard time adjusting to life with kids. Think about who else is in the house before buying prairie dogs.