Prairie dogs live in groups called coteries. Each coterie will have 2 or 3 breeding females along with their pups. A coterie can have a land size of up to 70 acres with different burrow entrances. A prairie dog town is made up of multiple coteries.
The natural diet of a prairie dog consists of grasses, foliage, seeds, underground parts, and insects.
Prairie dogs can live in captivity from the age of 12 to 8 years old. On average, wild prairie dogs live from the age of 4 to 3 years.
The ideal age to purchase a prairie dog is typically between 6 and 8 weeks old. Keeping a prairie dog as a pet in an apartment is highly convenient since they don’t need to be taken on walks and don’t require a large living space. They have minimal to no smell, and their care and cleaning needs are quite low. Unlike nocturnal pets, prairie dogs are active during the day, so you won’t have to deal with the noise of them being awake at night. They naturally enjoy human companionship since they are social animals. Overall, prairie dogs can indeed make wonderful pets.
What do Prairie Dogs eat?
There are commercially available diets made for your pet, such as Dog Prairie Nutrition Exotic Diet and Dog Prairie Brisky’s Pellets. These diets can include seeds, nuts, grasses, hays, and small amounts of vegetables and fruits. It is important to feed rodents and other animals with continuously growing teeth a food block or pellet to help them wear down their incisors. Additionally, rodent food blocks can be used.
Bones and other long-lasting dog treats can be provided as toys that will help in preserving their oral hygiene and maintaining their teeth in excellent shape.
Prairie Dog cage
A great cage to house your pet prairie dog is a ferret cage, as prairie dogs naturally dig their own burrows. To mimic their natural habitat, it would be beneficial to have soil or sand in the cage and also provide a box or tube for your dog to go into. Additionally, consider building a cage into the ground, similar to the burrows they dig in the wild. The larger the cage, the better, as it will provide ample space for your pet prairie dog.
Prairie Dog Medical Care
It is important to ensure that your dog’s diet or health is not a sign of any issues that need to be corrected. It is necessary to have their teeth examined to make sure they are wearing evenly and if any corrections are needed, they should be discussed with your vet. Neutering or spaying can be a surgery that can save your dog from health issues later in life. At least once a year, a fecal sample should be tested to check for any internal parasites. Dogs in the Prairie can get external parasites like ticks and fleas, which should be treated if found on your pet. While it is still best to have a yearly exam by an exotic animal veterinarian, Prairie dogs do not require any vaccines.