Prarie Dog

PRAIRIE DOG - Scientific Name - (Cynomis Ludovicianus)

Prairie Dogs are very common in the Great Plains and grass prairies of states like Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Montana, Nebraska, and can be found as far north as Canada and as far south as Mexico. Some people consider them to be a pest or vermin, while others consider them to be a fantastic pet.

A Prairie Dog will weigh about 2 to 3 lbs., some up to 4 lbs. which is usually overweight. They are smaller than the average cat. If you have a large cat or dog, the small size would be a consideration if the other animals don't get along with the Prairie Dog. They have soft, clean fur and love to be petted. A Prairie Dog, properly fed, can live 10 to 12 years or more. Be prepared to make a commitment.

Their cage should be 2 foot square by 30" high and made totally out of wire mesh of 1/2" x 1". A bird cage about that size would work equally well. If you have two Prairie Dogs, the cage size should be about 50% larger. The cage floor should be 1/2" x 1/2". This will prevent them from catching a leg and breaking it. Prairie Dogs are gnawers. A cage with wood or plastic parts will soon be destroyed. A multi-level Ferret cage is also a good choice.

Unlike some animals that are solitaire, Prairie Dogs love company. Place their cage in the busy part of your home, out of direct sun and drafts. They will be fine with normal temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees.

Remember they are chewers, so their dishes should be stainless steel, and their water bottle should be attached to the outside of their cage with only the stainles spout protruding inside the cage. The food dish should be of the type that can be fastened to the side of the cage. For a sleeping box and potty, we suggest clay flower pots as they can't chew them; and an old t-shirt will work nicely for their bedding. Provide non-toxic pieces of wood or hard plastic for them to chew on.

Prairie Dogs need exercise. If they are not allowed out of their cage, provide them an exercise wheel to play on. Being that they sleep at night, they won't be running it while your trying to sleep.

NUTRITION

This is a serious consideration as the biggest problem Prairie Dogs face in captivity from their loving owners is over nutrition. They have a very unique gastrointestinal system. In the wild, they thrive on nothing but prairie grasses. In captivity, most Prairie Dogs are over fed without the owners even realizing it. Consequently, domesticated Prairie Dogs rarely live more than 2 to 4 years, whereas, with proper diet, they can easily live 8 to 12 years.

Prairie Dogs are extremely clean animals and are very healthy if fed properly. They require no shots and tyhere has never been a recorded case of rabies in these critters. They are one of the most sociable pets one can have. In fact, they demand attention. They will greet their owners with a little bark like sound which means they want to be with you. You can make their day with a rubdown of baby powder.

The downside of owning a Prairie Dog is that they are a gnawing animal. When you let them out of their wire cage, you must supervise them every second. If not, you'll likely find your wooden chairs, table, furniture, or even woodwork in your home has become their favorite chewing toy. There is also the possibility of a serious accidental death or injury if they chew up electrical cords.

Prairir Dogs should be neutered or spayed toward the end of the year they were born in. This will make them a much nicer pet as they get older.

Very few people have successfuly bred Prairie Dogs in captivity. Females in the wild breed very easily and usually have 2 to 6 pups, which are born in the spring. If you are interested in breeding these animals, we suggest getting your hands on as many books and references as possible. There are also many Prairie Dog sites on the internet. It would be worth your while to check out all available information.