Fennec Foxes

fennec foxes

Fennec Fox Care Guide

With oversized ears and mischievous faces, fennec foxes are cute as can be. But these exotic pets require a lot of care to stay healthy and happy.

Health

At just three pounds, fennec foxes are the smallest member of the fox family. Native to the Sahara desert, fennec foxes are covered in thick fur that protects them from heat and sand. Since they're built for desert life, fennecs need to live in an environment that's at least 68° F.

Fennec foxes have health needs similar to those of a dog. Routine veterinary care, vaccinations, and flea preventative are requirements. And since the fennec is a wild animal, some vets don't feel comfortable caring for these little guys.

Training

As a wild animal, fennec foxes can't be trained as easily as domesticated pets. However, some owners have successfully house trained their fennecs. Some can be trained to walk on a leash. We recommended lots of praise and treats to encourage these behaviors.

Care

In the wild, fennecs are nocturnal. That means they will be much more active at night. They are naturally inquisitive and can be quite destructive when left unsupervised. A dog crate is a good option to contain nighttime antics, and some fennecs will adapt to their owners' schedules.

If you chose to keep your fox outside, you'll need a way to keep him contained. Fennecs can dig up to 20 feet deep. They're excellent climbers and can jump much higher than their small size suggests. A wired enclosure with a concrete or wood floor is a good option. A layer of sand will help your pet feel more at home. Just make sure the enclosure is large enough for your fennec to run, play and exercise.

Feeding

Fennec foxes are omnivores in the wild. They eat a mixture of meat and plants. Commercial fox food isn't easy for pet owners to come by, most feed their fennecs dog food, cat food, vegetables, and fruits. Take care to ensure your animal gets enough taurin in his diet to support metabolic processes. Be sure to consult with your veterinary care team who will help you determine the best foods for your fennec fox.

Location

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Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:30 pm

Saturday:

Open 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month. Closed 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month.

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "We have a new 8 week Boston Terrier that we took to Springfield Vet yesterday for the first time. Absolutely pleased with the service, attitudes and genuine care shown to our little boy. The whole team was so professional, but took time to talk to you and explain everything. Dr Cynthia Wiseman is so wonderful, she sat in the floor did Logan's exam and played with him. What bedside manners. I will continue to use them, I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caring and professional vet."
    Roi W.
  • "We absolutely love this vet clinic and the staff! The facilities are modern and always clean. Everyone is always so friendly and genuinely care for you and your animal- they make you feel as if you are apart of their family.

    Our boy, Samson, is a Rottie (and quite the problem child). We are usually in the clinic almost every other month for something and they are always so helpful and show great care and love for our pup! We are very picky/protective puppy parents, so we were very grateful to have found both Dr. Cynthia and Dr. Heath shortly after getting Samson.

    We have definitely found our "home" in the vet world, and would highly recommend to anyone who is currently looking!"
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  • "We decided to start taking our new kitty here this past fall and we love it! He was not on his best behavior (to say the least) for his first appointment, and the staff was so patient and was still able to safely run his bloodwork and give him his vaccinations. Every service has been reasonably priced, and they did everything they possibly could to make sure that our little guy was off to a healthy start after we adopted him. What I love is that they really seem to focus on the small details, too, like trimming our cat's nails after remembering that I had expressed interest in doing so at a previous appointment, or supplementing his flea treatment with something to safely speed up the process. We will definitely keep coming here as long as we live in Springfield!"
    Megan J.
  • "I have been taking my dog to SVC since 2012 and when I adopted my cat in 2015. I have never had a bad experience. We have seen Drs. Heath & Cynthia Wiseman and I love them both. Always professional, always take their time when looking my pets over, asking questions, and answering mine."
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  • "We’ve been taking our Moose there for a few years now. After swallowing a toy when he was a puppy, getting fixed, having surgery on his eyelids a couple times, and most recently having a breed specific illness; I can I say I would recommend everyone to go here. They’ve taken the best care of our boy time and time again and went above and beyond."
    Ashley J.
  • "We’ve been taking our Moose there for a few years now. After swallowing a toy when he was a puppy, getting fixed, having surgery on his eyelids a couple times, and most recently having a breed specific illness; I can I say I would recommend everyone to go here. They’ve taken the best care of our boy time and time again and went above and beyond."
    Ashley J.
  • "Pleasant staff.,very informative. Great environment for your pets, including own room for cats to play so as they aren't stressed out."
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  • "Dr. Cynthia Wiseman has helped my little Shiba dog with chronic hip problems tremendously with consistent acupuncture therapy! So thankful for this practice and the high quality of care they offer my pets!"
    Lacey M.