Prairie Dog Ownership: New York's Legal Stance

Prairie dogs are becoming increasingly popular as pets, but they are not your typical domestic animal. They are considered exotic pets and require a lot of care and attention. In the US, there are only a few states where prairie dogs are legal to own without a permit. New York has different laws for owning exotic animals in the state compared to in New York City. So, can you own a prairie dog in New York?

Prairie dog ownership in New York: legal or illegal?

Prairie dogs are becoming increasingly popular as pets, but they are not your typical domestic animal. They are considered exotic pets and require a lot of care and attention. In the US, there are only a few states where prairie dogs are legal to own without a permit. These include Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. In other states, you may need additional paperwork and permits, or it may be illegal.

New York State vs New York City

In New York, it is illegal to own any wild animal and doing so could result in a fine of up to $500. However, it is not clear whether prairie dogs are considered wild animals in New York. Most exotic animals are regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and while there are many exotic animals that are illegal in the state, there are some that are permitted.

It is important to note that the regulations for New York State are different from those for New York City, where most exotic animals are illegal. For example, you cannot own a ferret or a turkey in the city.

Local Regulations

Even in states where prairie dogs are legal, there may be local regulations that prohibit their ownership. It is important to check with your city, county, and neighborhood association before acquiring a prairie dog as a pet.

Challenges of Owning a Prairie Dog

Prairie dogs are social animals that require a lot of attention and space. They are susceptible to health issues such as obesity, dental problems, and heart and respiratory diseases, so regular visits to an exotic animal veterinarian are necessary. They also have specific dietary and housing requirements and can be difficult to handle if they feel threatened or frightened.

In conclusion, while prairie dog ownership may be legal in New York State, it is important to consult with local authorities and consider the challenges and responsibilities of owning an exotic pet before making a decision.

What are the health risks of owning a prairie dog?

Owning a prairie dog can pose certain health risks that prospective owners should be aware of. As they are considered exotic pets, they require a lot of care and attention, and their specific needs must be met to ensure their health and well-being.

One of the primary concerns is the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases. Prairie dogs are known to carry pathogens that can cause serious illnesses in humans, such as monkeypox, tularemia, hantavirus, plague, and rabies. These diseases can be transmitted through contact with infected animal bodily fluids, bites, or scratches. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your prairie dog is vaccinated and kept in clean living conditions to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

Additionally, prairie dogs are susceptible to common health issues such as obesity, dental problems, and heart and respiratory diseases. Obesity in prairie dogs is often a result of an improper diet and lack of exercise. Providing a nutritious diet that meets their specific needs and promoting physical activity can help prevent this issue. Dental disease is also prevalent in prairie dogs, requiring regular veterinary care to address abnormal tooth growth or dental malformations.

Furthermore, prairie dogs are social animals that require a significant amount of attention and interaction. If they are not provided with adequate socialization, they can become aggressive, nippy, and difficult to handle. This behavior can lead to painful bites, especially if the prairie dog feels threatened or frightened during examinations or handling. Therefore, it is important to consider the time and commitment required to properly socialize and care for a prairie dog before bringing one into your home.

Overall, while prairie dogs can make affectionate pets, prospective owners should be well-informed about the health risks and care requirements associated with their ownership. Regular veterinary check-ups, a proper diet, and a suitable living environment are essential to ensuring the health and well-being of your prairie dog.

What is the ideal cage for a prairie dog?

The ideal cage for a prairie dog is one that is as large as possible, with plenty of space for the animal to move around, explore, and exercise. It should also be made of sturdy and durable materials that are resistant to sharp teeth, such as stainless steel, durable plastic, or wire. The cage should have high sides to prevent the prairie dog from escaping and to contain the mess, as they love to bury, hide, and dig. It is also important to provide ample nesting material and deep bedding for burrowing, resting, and soaking up urine.

Cage Materials

It is recommended to avoid wooden cages as prairie dogs can easily chew through them. Metal is the best option, but even a metal cage is not 100% escape-proof as prairie dogs are known escape artists. Stainless steel or plexiglass are preferred materials. If using a wire cage, the wire spacing should be small enough that the prairie dog's feet don't slip through and their toes don't get caught. Additionally, the cage should be locked at all times to prevent escape.

Cage Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent odor buildup and respiratory disease. At least one side of the cage should have openings, and preferably all sides, to allow for adequate airflow. Placing the cage inside a box can help catch the bedding that is flung out while the prairie dog is digging.

Cage Bedding

The bedding material should be deep enough to allow for adequate digging and should be changed at least once a week to keep the cage sanitary and tidy. Preferred bedding materials include wood shavings (avoid cedar shavings as they can be toxic), commercial pellets, or shredded/recycled paper. Avoid sand, mud, corncob bedding, sawdust, and any pine or cedar shavings, as these can cause irritation or intestinal obstruction if ingested.

Cage Accessories

Provide tunnels, dark areas, boxes, and untreated wood blocks or non-toxic materials for the prairie dog to chew on and hide in. Shelves and other climbing equipment are not necessary as prairie dogs do not need to climb. It is also important to ensure that the cage is placed in a secure location away from inquisitive cats and hunting breed dogs, and that young children are supervised when playing with the prairie dog.

What are the dietary requirements of a prairie dog?

As rodents, prairie dogs have specific dietary requirements that need to be met. In the wild, their diet consists mainly of grasses, plants, leaves, and some brush and roots. They also rely on the prickly pear cactus for water.

In captivity, it is important to replicate this diet as closely as possible to prevent dietary-related diseases such as obesity, malnutrition, and gastrointestinal disorders. These conditions are the most common health issues in captive prairie dogs. A captive prairie dog's diet should be high in fibre and include pellets, fresh hay, grasses, fruits, and vegetables.

Food should be available at all times, as prairie dogs are grazers and eat throughout the day and night. Fresh water should also always be accessible, and it is recommended to use a sipper bottle hung in the cage, as water bowls are easily soiled and spilled.

For baby prairie dogs, a higher protein intake is required, and they may need a milk supplement until they are weaned. As they get older, prairie dogs should be fed Timothy hay or other grass hay, avoiding richer alfalfa hay, which should only be fed to young, growing animals. Small amounts of Timothy-based rabbit pellets or rodent chow can be offered to young prairie dogs, and fresh vegetables such as dark, leafy greens and root vegetables can be given as treats.

Obesity is a common problem in captive prairie dogs, so it is important to monitor their weight and adjust food intake accordingly. It is also crucial to avoid feeding dog and cat food, nuts, raisins, animal protein, additional carbohydrates, and table scraps, as these can lead to obesity, dental disease, and fatty liver disease.

What is the typical behaviour of a prairie dog?

Prairie dogs are highly social animals that live in large colonies or "towns". They are native to the grasslands of North America and are considered a keystone species, playing an important role in the food chain and ecosystem. They are known for their intricate underground tunnel systems, which provide shelter for various other species and help with soil renewal and grass development.

Prairie dogs typically live in close-knit family groups called "coteries", which usually consist of an adult male, one or more adult females, and their young offspring. These coteries are further grouped into "wards" or "neighbourhoods", and several wards make up a colony or town. Members of a coterie interact through oral contact, or "kissing", and grooming one another. They greet each other with a sort of "kiss" and will only perform these behaviours with members of their own family group.

Communication is a key aspect of prairie dog behaviour. They have one of the most complex systems of communication in the animal kingdom, with a wide vocabulary that is more advanced than any other animal language that has been decoded. They use a variety of pitched warning barks to signal different types of predators and can convey incredibly descriptive details. For example, they can alert each other to the presence of a tall human wearing blue.

In terms of reproduction, prairie dogs typically mate once a year in early winter, and their mating season only lasts about an hour. Females go into estrus for a single hour and then produce a litter of 2-10 pups, with an average of 3-4 pups. Pregnancy lasts 35-40 days, and the pups are weaned by seven weeks of age.

Prairie dogs are also known for their alarm response behaviour, which varies depending on the type of predator announced. For example, if the alarm is for a hawk, all prairie dogs in its flight path will dive into their holes, while those outside the flight path will stand and watch. If the alarm is for a human, all members of the colony will immediately rush inside the burrows.

Overall, prairie dogs are active, playful, and sturdy rodents that require a lot of care and attention. They can make affectionate pets if purchased young and given proper socialization and attention, but they are not considered typical domestic animals and may exhibit unpredictable behaviour.

Frequently asked questions