How Much Does a Fennec Fox Cost?

The Fennec fox is the smallest nocturnal animal you can find in the Sahara of North Africa. It is also the smallest of all fox species. You can spot the Fennec fox by its large years that almost look fake.

Fennec foxes are bred commercially as exotic pet animals and can live up to 15 years in captivity. While in the wild, these animals will only reach an age of up to 12 years old. The Fennec fox price usually depends on factors like the quality of the pet, its breeder, its age, and its breed.

How much does a fennec fox cost?

A Fennec fox costs, on average, somewhere between $1,350 and $3,400. You will have a hard time finding a Fennec fox in normal pet stores, as it is considered a wild animal And even if you do manage to find one, it will probably be already sold, as the writing lists are longer than a year. This is not only because a lot of people want to have these types of pets, but also because the number of USDA-approved breeders is limited for these foxes and the animals themselves don’t have more than two litters per year.

An example of a website that sells these types of pets is ExoticAnimalsForSale.net. This is where you will find baby Fennec foxes that are hand-raised, for prices between $1,200 to $2,500.

What should be included in the adoption fee?

Most reputable sellers include a package of licensing documents for the pet, up-to-date vaccinations, and a health certificate from a reputable vet, at a minimum.

Costs of owning a Fennec fox as a pet

Some cities and counties require that you register the fennec fox as a pet, just like you would for a dog or cat.

When it comes to the Fennec fox’s diet, you should be prepared to buy high-quality cat food and vegetables. For feeding just one pet, you will probably spend around $75  per month. This fox, when growing in the wild, eats seeds, fruits, eggs, some types of birds, reptiles, rodents, and insects.

Although it will be pretty hard to litter train it, you should still get a litter box and do your best to teach it to use it. Most pet owners spend around $20 per month for litter.

If you want to walk your fox outside, then you should get a harness. A sturdy one from a known brand is usually between $40 and $65.

When housing a pet like this and you plan to leave it alone while you go to work, for example, you will have to get a “fox proof” room or enclosure. This is a room that is designed to prevent the fox from squirming its way out or digging underneath. It can be an indoors or outdoor enclosure, but it should be properly made because if there’s a way out, a fox can surely find it. An enclosure will cost as much as you are willing to spend, as the size and the complexity will dictate the price and you can go nuts with this project and its inclusions.

It is also recommended that you buy some toys so that the fox is entertained, as these are pretty sociable. Their play sessions are pretty different from what you see in a dog or cat. Although they don’t “play” with the toys, they will enjoy chasing something that moves.

You might also like our articles on the cost of a domesticated fox, black panther, or prairie dog.

Also consider routine vet visits and surprise emergency visits, like you would with any other animal. The average veterinarian visit will cost at least $50 with no procedures done, although this will depend on the reason.

Shipping fees might apply when you purchase a Fennec fox from outside of your state, although this will depend on what you agree with the breeder, how far they are from you, and the conditions of the animal.

Different breeders have different guidelines when it comes to shipping an animal like this, but airlines will usually charge between $300 and $500 for the trip, depending on the distance needed to be traveled.

There are some breeders who won’t want to ship the animal and will ask you to pick it up from their location instead. For these cases, you will have to consider the cost of transportation and, for longer distances, maybe hotel/accommodation fees as well.

Some fox owners state that the animals are very sociable despite their wild nature. They can be seen in packs of 15 or more when in the wild. This means that it is advisable to buy more than one so that they have company, if you plan on getting this type of pet. Some studies show that the fox will still be happy even if it has no peers, as many Fennecs won’t even acknowledge one another.

Important things about the Fennec fox pet

The Fennec fox has a beige coat that is very soft to the touch. As the fox usually needs to walk on the hot desert sand easily, it has soles covered in long fur on its feet.

This type of fox doesn’t seek the attention of its owner as it is pretty shy most often. Even so, from time to time, they will dart up to you if they feel the need to be petted, but they might flee before you get the chance to feel their fur.

When you do get a chance to pet them, they will like to have their ears stroked. They also love to have the back of their neck and the top of their head scratched. Although they don’t want to be touched a lot, they will want to be near you most of the time.

The most important thing you should do before you can start the adoption process is make sure that you can legally own a fox in your local state and city. A lot of states forbid owning these types of animals through different rules and guidelines.

Also, find a vet who is qualified to work with wildlife and foxes in general before you bring the pet home. Although most vets have the necessary knowledge to deal with these animals, a lot of them feel uncomfortable working with wild creatures.

This animal is very fast and slick, so it will be very hard to catch it if it escapes. As stated above, these foxes also like to dig and have no problem fitting beneath chainlink fences. Having a fence surrounded by dirt makes everything even easier. This is why you should consider dig-proof enclosures when figuring out the needed housing. The fox will still feel the natural urge to dig, which is why owners will usually dig a trench that is 8 to 10 feet deep around the enclosure with wire.

You can walk your fox on a leash with a harness as long as it is properly trained but keep in mind that the moment they get loose and run, you’ll have close to 0 chances of catching it. Most owners don’t get to see their fox a second time after it is gone.

If you have young children with ages below six years old, it isn’t recommended to keep a Fennec, according to JuliesJungle.com. These creatures are known to scratch or bite when children handle them poorly or have too much energy around them. They can bite without warning and they have sharp needle-like teeth that will hurt a lot.

It is very important that you keep it in a habitat between 70 and 85 degrees all the time, as this is still made for desert environments.

How can I save money?

There aren’t a lot of breeders to choose from. Even so, it’s best if you can find a local breeder where you can see the animals in person. Airlines also have a lot of strict policies around transporting exotic animals, so your best bet is to go on the legal, reputable breeder route, to avoid legal problems or issues with the animal.