Getting a prairie dog for your home

A prairie dog is actually, not a dog at all. They are small rodent native and belong to the group of burrowing ground squirrels.

Description. Originally, prairie dogs breed in the grass plains of Mexico, Central America and Canada. Most prairie dog varieties are the black-tail kind. A prairie dog is known to be diurnal. This means that the animal stays awake during the daytime hours. A prairie dog is a very sociable kind of creature. They are also expressive and very loyal. Aside from that, this living creature is extremely healthy and hardy, living up to around 12 years in incarceration.

Shelter. The best containment for a prairie dog is a ferret cage that is multi-level. This type of cage is next to a den and it considerably gives the animal enough room for standing up and moving around. Prairie dogs can be moved in and out from difference cages to stay out of boredom. To keep its shelter clean, the bottom of the cage tray of a prairie dog may be placed with aspen beddings to soak up moisture. Bedding and hay materials may also be added so that the prairie dogs could make a nest using those.

Feeding. Commonly, a prairie dog feeds on hay, fresh vegetables, fruits and rodent block. Any hay is fine to them however, with the exception of alfalfa hay. One favorite food of prairie dogs is a fresh corncob. The foods such as potatoes, plums, green beans, carrots and collard greens are also suggested. However, with potatoes, be careful not to give them the green part of it since it is deadly to them. For treats, you can give them parrot mix, crackers dry foods for dogs and nuts. They also love pear cactus. An ideal treat for the teeth of a prairie dog is dried corncob, dried ears of pig and hard bones of beef.

You can try a range of foods for this creature since they do not possess similar characteristics. They love to eat yet when overfed, they get ill and die. Furthermore, always provide them water in a bottle.

Bonding. The moment your prairie dog is

brought home, hold it although it gripes. You can use gloves if needed just to not loose the dog. If it bites, discipline it. Do not let them leave their cage if you unlock the door. Train them to walk in or jump onto your arms, then put them down. They must learn that you as their owner are the boss. Once they have bonded with you well, they will love you like their own family.