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Four Paws Animal Clinic

521A Searls Ave.

Nevada City, CA 95959 US

(530) 265-3722

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  • Prairie Dogs

Prairie Dogs

  • Created in Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Domesticated Animals, Choosing Your Pet, Small Mammals, Domesticated Animals, Prairie Dogs

prairie dogs

Prairie dogs are cute, affable creatures. But before taking one on as a pet, check your local laws. In some states, such as Colorado, it's illegal to keep prairie dogs as pets. Mostly, this is because they may spread monkeypox. If you live in a state that welcomes pet prairie dogs, be sure to buy from a reputable prairie dog breeder or rescue shelter. Animals from these sources should be healthy and disease-free.

Health

Adult prairie dogs grow to about 3.5 pounds -- the size of a small house cat. They breed aggressively, so be sure to keep pairs or groupings of same-sex or spayed and neutered dogs. These are social animals, so they'll need a buddy to be happy. If you plan to keep a prairie dog, plan on buying him a pal, too.

Prairie dogs are rodents, just like rats and squirrels. As such, they'll need regular veterinary care from time to time. Your veterinary team is skilled at helping you care for your prairie dogs to keep them healthy, happy, and fit.

Care

The ideal habitat for prairie dogs is outside where they can burrow as desired. Many pet owners keep prairie dogs indoors, however, in crates used to house large dogs. Prairie dogs need lots of space and privacy. Provide materials for them to burrow into, such as soil, peat, or paper. As you can imagine, housing a prairie dog can be a messy endeavor unless you're equipped to house him outside.

Feeding

Captive prairie dogs eat a vegetarian diet that includes:

  • Fresh hay and grass
  • Fresh fruit
  • Seeds and nuts
  • Vegetables
  • Commercial prairie dog pellets

Your prairie dogs will need access to fresh water at all times, too. Your veterinarian is the best one to help you plan your prairie dog's diet. This ensures your pet gets the nutrients he needs to stay disease-free.

Training

Your prairie dog can be trained to use a litter box just like a cat. In fact, training a prairie dog is easier because they live in colonies in the wild and dig community latrines just for this purpose. Training your prairie dog to use the litter box is often as simple as giving him access and then rewarding him with a snack when instinct encourages him to use it.

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Behavior & Training
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Cats
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Pet Dangers
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

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5:00 pm

Tuesday:

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5:00 pm

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Read What Our Clients Say

  • "Wow! Thanks to all the staff at Anderson Vet Clinic. I feel like you all truly love what you do! My kitty, Lola and I always have such a pleasant experience when we come in. Fortunately, it’s usually just for a check-up, but I would not leave Lola in anyone else’s hands but yours. Thank you for your caring commitment!"
    Maya Smith / Los Angeles, CA
  • "I have benefited tremendously from the care my pet received from Dr. Anderson."
    John Doe / San Diego, CA
  • "Fabio wasn’t eating the food I was giving him and I didn’t feel he was getting the nutrition he needed. Thanks to Dr. Anderson, he evaluated Fabio and his current diet to make some recommendations and now Fabio has gone from barely eating to finishing his meals and he looks healthier than ever. You clearly are an expert in your field...thanks so much!"
    Tara Brown / Kansas City, MO

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