Description
About Prairie Dogs
Prairie Dogs, despite their name, are not really dogs. Prairie Dogs are burrowing ground squirrels native to the grasslands of North America. They are highly social animals and live in large colonies or “towns” and collections of prairie dog families can span hundreds of acres. A prairie dog town may contain 15 – 26 family groups. In captivity, it can come to seem as though they treat humans as members of their colony. They love to burrow and will make nests with dried grasses and hay if provided.
Traits & Behaviour
Because they are highly sociable animals, prairie dogs will get sick or unhappy if not given enough attention. Being diurnal animals, Prairie Dogs spend the night sleeping but are active during the day. They need at least 6 hours a day of social interaction to be happy. Prepare to have a small colony at home or be prepared to spend a lot of time with your Prairie.
Environment
Housing: Prairie dogs should be housed in a large enclosure with a lot of floor room as they need to move around and explore and exercise Due to their reputation as curious creatures and escape artists, Prairie Dogs should be housed in an enclosure which is securely closed and locked to prevent escapes.
Bedding: Prairie Dogs like to hide and burrow and bedding will provide a hiding place and allows for a cleaner cage. Preferred bedding includes wood shavings, commercial pellets, or shredded paper. Prairie dogs will also use bedding to create nests to rest in.
Accessories: Hiding places (nest boxes, tunnels, etc.) mimic the outside environment and let prairie dogs exhibit normal behaviour. Toys are not needed but are welcomed to help stimulate your Prairie Dog’s curiosity from time to time. An exercise wheel can also be introduced to encourage exercise.
Nutrition
Staple Food: Prairie dogs tend to eat grasses, plants, and leaves in the wild. In captivity, Prairie Dogs eat a simple vegetarian diet of pellets, fresh hay, grasses, fresh fruits, and vegetables. As a pet, Prairie Dogs should be fed a high fibre pellet diet, along with timothy hay. Food should always be available for Prairie Dogs, since they graze both during the day and night.
Water: Clean water should always be freely available in a drinker or shallow bowl.
Habitat Maintenance
Daily maintenance should include spot cleaning by removing waste and cleaning their water bowl/drinker. Remove any leftover food that you find around their enclosure. The entire enclosure should be cleaned every couple of months.
Supply Checklist
Here are some necessary supplies owners will need to keep their bunnies happy and healthy~
- Appropriate size and well-ventilated cage
- Bedding
- Food bowl
- Water drinker
- Large exercise wheel
- Hideaway space
- Toys
- Chews
- Hay
- Food
- Treats
Important Notes
- Prairie Dogs may not be suitable pets for most owners as they can become difficult and aggressive if not regularly handled.
- They are often nippy by nature, so keep this in mind when small children are around.
- Prairie Dogs spend a lot of time in groups as they are social animals. Unless you can spend a large amount of time with your pet, keeping only 1 prairie dog is not recommended.
And you’re set! All the best to you and your pet Prairie Dog!
For further enquiries contact us at 03-7733 7469 or drop by our shop and speak to our team!