Prairie dogs can be demanding and tend to require a lot of attention and owner commitment. This needs to be taken into consideration when thinking about making a prairie dog part of your pet family. They are members of the rodent family and are social animals in nature. As pets, they appreciate human interaction and affection and may show their gratitude with a little bark or yip. Barking can also be a means of expressing alarm.

Your prairie dog's cage should be large enough to allow plenty of room to play. A cage large enough to house 2 prairie dogs should be at least 24"x24"x36" and should have 2 stories. In order to prevent leg or foot injuries, wire mesh spacing should be no more than 1/2 inch. Prairie dogs, like humans, need time alone, and their cage should be designed with this in mind. When housing 2 prairie dogs together, separate compartments with a common play area is ideal. Prairie dogs also appreciate tunnels for exploring and lots of bedding for digging.

Prairie dogs have teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives. In nature, chewing allows them to wear down their rapidly growing teeth. Keep this in mind when providing housing and when allowing your prairie dog to roam free in the house. Prairie dogs will not hesitate to chew up valuable furniture or wood molding. It is important to prevent prairie dogs from chewing on cage bars or mesh, which can damage their teeth. In some cases, a plastic "shield" may need to be placed in front of metal bars or wire mesh.

Cedar and pine shaving are not recommended for bedding, because they contain resins that can be irritating to your prairie dog's skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Aspen shavings, such as Oxbow Pet Products' Aspen Fresh, is a preferred bedding material for your prairie dog. Alternatively, grass hay can be piled deep in the cage as bedding in which prairie dogs can play and nest, and it is safe and healthy to eat!

Fresh, clean water is a must for your prairie dog. A water bottle with a sipper tube works better than a water bowl, which can be tipped over or contaminated with waste and bedding. Hanging the water bottle on the outside of the cage so just the tip of the spout is inside discourages chewing of the sipper tube. Water needs to be changed daily, and the sipper tube should be cleaned weekly.

Obesity is very common in captive prairie dogs, and lack of exercise as well as feeding an improper diet contribute to this life-threatening malady. Avoid feeding peanuts, sunflower seeds, puppy food, and other fatty foods that are high in calories and low in fiber. The doctors at Pet Care Veterinary Hospital recommend you feed you prairie dog unlimited quantities of grass hay such as timothy, orchard, brome, or oat. Chewing on hay also aids in the normal wear of teeth and provides essential fiber needed to maintain intestinal health. In addition to hay, we also recommend Oxbow's nutritionally balanced Prairie Delight pellet diet which was designed with the prairie dog in mind. The large cube size stimulates the prairie dog's innate playful behavior and satisfies the natural desire to chew, and the high-fiber content helps prevent obesity. Pellets can be fed in a sturdy crock bowl. Dishes should be cleaned daily, and any leftover food should be removed.

Many owners want to offer treats to their prairie dogs. A treat should be enjoyable to eat and should provide interaction between you and your pet. When fed in limited quantities, treats such as hay cubes, dried or fresh herbs, leafy greens, and pieces of vegetable can be offered to your prairie dog. Oxbow's Nature's Treat and Hay Cubes make great ready-to-use treats for your pet. For environmental enrichment, you can pile hay in the cage and hide treats or Prairie Delight pellets. In order to prevent digestive upset, feed the same treats consistently, and avoid gas-forming vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower.

Prairie dogs are prone to respiratory disease, which may be a result of (or exacerbated by) inappropriate humidity levels, soiled bedding (and high ammonia levels), incisor teeth abnormalities (which may be related to chewing on metal), or infectious disease. Obesity issues can be addressed when planning your prairie dog's environment and diet. Signs of respiratory disease include labored or noisy breathing, inactivity, depression, and decreased appetite. Any of these abnormalities warrant a visit to your veterinarian.

In order to prevent seasonal territorial behavior, it is best to neuter or spay your prairie dog. It is not uncommon for prairie dogs to become somewhat aggressive and high strung once sexual maturity is reached. Neutering and spaying can help prevent these behavior swings.

Feeding Recommendations at a Glance
Growing Prairie Dogs (under six months)
Unlimited amounts of Prairie Delight along with free-choice grass hay
Mature Prairie Dogs (over six months)
3-4 cubes of Prairie Delight daily along with free-choice grass hay
Gestating and Lactating Prairie Dogs
Unlimited amounts of Prairie Delight along with free-choice grass hay

Prairie Dog Facts
Prairie dogs are rodents and not a species of dog, so they should not eat dog food.
Prairie dogs toenails need frequent trimming.
Prairie dogs like to dig, so provide plenty of bedding.
Pet prairie dogs are prone to obesity, so the proper diet is very important.
Average life span 10 yrs
Average adult weight 500-2200 grams (1.1-4.8 lb); males are usually heavier than females
Gestation Period 30-35 days
Litter size 2-10 pups (avg. 5)
Optimal weaning Age 6 wks
Sexual Maturity 2-3 yrs

References
Johnson-Delaney C: Special rodents: prairie dogs. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook, Lake Worth, FL, Zoological Education Network, 1996
Lightfoot TL: Clinical examination of chinchillas, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, and sugar gliders. The Veterinary Clinics of North America, Exotic Animal Practice 2(2):447-469, 1999.