Beavers do not make good pets. They’re wild animals, yet to be domesticated. As a result, they are difficult to train, house, and care for. Beavers are also potentially aggressive.
Do you love animals, but don’t want to commit to a big dog or cat? Maybe you’ve even thought away a pet beaver?
Believe it or not, some people keep beavers. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy to care for.
In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything that you need to know about keeping a beaver as a pet. We’ll discuss their needs, how to meet them, and what you can expect from living with a beaver.
Can You Keep a Beaver as a Pet?
No, you cannot keep a beaver as a pet easily. Beavers are wild animals and are illegal to possess in all but a few states. Even if it is legal in your area, they are not good pets.
Beavers are difficult to care for, house, and almost impossible to train. They have a natural aggression and fear towards humans, like all wild animals.
As a result, most people trying to keep a pet beaver will fail. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. It means that it’s a difficult task.
If you are looking for a pet, consider a different animal that is better suited to life in captivity.
Can You Domesticate Beavers?
With enough time, humans could domesticate beavers, as we have done with dogs and cats. At the current moment, beavers are not domesticated.
Beavers can be tamed, but are not yet domesticated. But what is the difference?
Tame beavers are wild-born beavers that have become used to the presence of humans. This is not atypical to see in animals that have been nurtured and raised among humans.
Domestication, on the other hand, is a genetic trait. Domesticated animals are born without the fear of humans, naturally inclined to seek their attention, such as dogs.
What Is a Pet Beaver?
There is no such thing as a “pet beaver” species. Wild beavers are large, semiaquatic rodents that are native to North America and Europe. Pet beavers are adopted wild beavers, nurtured and cared for in captivity.
Wild and pet animals are different. Many animals species have both, such as wild dogs and pet dogs, wild cats and pet cats, and so on.
But not beavers. There are wild beavers, and wild beavers kept in captivity. Until they are domesticated, they will always be considered wild.
In the wild, they build dams and lodges out of sticks and mud, which they use to protect themselves from predators and to store food for the winter.[1]
As pets, they will display the same behavior.
Are Beavers Good Pets?
No, beavers are not good as pets. They have intricate needs, such as their high need for wood and water. They are also difficult to train, making them difficult to keep as pets.
You can get orphaned beavers from wildlife rehabilitators, but they are difficult to care for.
If you get yourself a pet beaver, you will have many difficult tasks:
- Constant bathing.
- Twig cutting.
- Wood supply.
- Keeping a pond.
And so on.
They also don’t do well in cages, as they need to do their natural activities. This include swimming, felling trees, building dams and lodges, and more.
If you’re considering a beaver as a pet, make sure you’re prepared for the challenges that come with them. If you’re not ready for a high-maintenance pet, a beaver is not the right pet for you.
Do Beavers Get Along With Other Pets (Cats or Dogs)?
No, beavers do not get along with other pets, such as cats or dogs. Beavers are territorial animals and often attack other animals that they perceive as threats.[3]
In addition, beavers have sharp teeth and claws that can easily injure another animal.
If you have other pets in your home, it is best to keep them away from your beaver to avoid any potential problems.
How to Take Care of a Pet Beaver
To take care of a pet beaver, you need to provide a large enclosure with a massive pool or pond where they can swim, build dams and lodges, and play. They also need trees to fall and plants to eat.
While beavers are challenging to take care of, it’s not impossible.
As long as you provide them with the following things, they will be happy and healthy:
- A large enclosure
- Source of running water
- Continous supply of wood
- Food (aquatic plants, bark, twigs, and other plants)
Beaver Enclosure
First and foremost, beavers need a large enclosure. This should be an outdoor area, as it needs to be big enough for a large pool or pond.
Beavers spend a large amount of their life in water, so they need to be able to swim, build dams, forage for food, and play.
Beaver Food
Beavers also need a lot of food. They are herbivores, so they only eat plants[2]. In the wild, their diet consists of twigs, bark, leaves, and roots.
When feeding your beaver, you can give them commercial rodent food or make your own mix of dry dog food, vegetables, and fruits.
They should also be allowed to forage themselves to keep in touch with their natural instincts.
Natural Activities
Finally, beavers need to be able to exercise and play. They are very active animals, so they need to run and swim on a regular basis.
You can provide them with toys, like balls and chew toys, or you can build them a maze or an obstacle course to play in.
What Does a Pet Beaver Need?
Pet beavers need a lot of things to be happy and healthy. Most importantly, they need a large enclosure that provides them with plenty of space to swim, play, and explore.
When wild animals are kept in captivity, they need space and access to express their natural behavior. If they don’t, they will turn aggressive.
That’s why they need a large enclosure.
They also need access to fresh water at all times, as well as a variety of foods to eat.
Here is a complete list of everything a pet beaver needs:
- A large enclosure with plenty of space to swim, play, and explore
- Access to fresh water at all times
- A variety of foods to eat, including hay, vegetables, fruits, and pellets
- Plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained
- A hiding place where they can go to feel safe and secure
- A partner or companions to interact with
Why Beavers Make Bad Pets
Beavers are one of the most unique animals that some people keep as pets. They are known for their playful nature, as well as their unique look.
But, there are a few challenges that come along with keeping a pet beaver:
- Space
- Food
- Destructive behavior
- Training
Beavers Need a Lot of Space
One of the biggest challenges is making sure that they have enough space to roam and play. Beavers need a large enclosure with plenty of room to swim, explore, and build their dams.
Without enough space, they can become stressed and destructive.
Beavers Need a Special Diet
Another challenge is providing them with the proper diet. Beavers are herbivores and need a diet that consists mostly of plants and elements from trees.
Beavers mainly eat leaves, twigs, bark, and flower buds.
Beavers Are Destructive
It’s in a beaver’s nature to be destructive, mostly when it comes to wood. They chew on trees to file their teeth, they fell trees to build their dams, and they eat bark.
If you have trees on your property (of wooden furniture) that you don’t want to be harmed, a pet beaver will be a challenge.
They Are Almost Impossible to Train
Beavers are wild animals, and while they are intelligent, they don’t take instructions from humans. They are difficult to train. If you want to train a beaver, you will need patience, treats, and a lot of time.
Will a Beaver Chew All The Wood In The House
Beavers will chew on furniture, skirting boards, door frames, and any other wood they can get their hands on. But they prefer trees, as they use these to build dams and lodges.
If you want to keep a pet beaver, be prepared for the damage they can do to your home. You can avoid this by supplying them with enough trees in their enclosure, and not letting them roam around your house.
They also have a tendency to chew on things, so it is important to provide them with chew toys.
How Much Do Pet Beavers Cost?
Beavers are not sold in pet stores and are difficult to obtain as it is illegal in most countries and states. People who sell beavers usually remove them illegally from their natural habitats, which causes distress.
Those who wish to keep a pet beaver will typically have to adopt it as a rescue. Injured, abandoned, or otherwise trapped animals aren’t always able to make it on their own.
Typically, these people have experience working with wildlife and are licensed to do it.
The cost of a pet beaver varies depending on the individual animal and the resources required to care for it. Those who are interested in keeping a beaver as a pet should be prepared to spend a significant amount of money on its care.
Conclusion
Beavers are illegal in most states. You can adopt a beaver through the proper channels and with the necessary permits. But, they don’t make good pets. They’re difficult to train, keep, and care for.
Beavers need large enclosures to roam around. They also need a large body of water, such as a pool, pond, or river. On top of that, they need wood to build.
