Species Guide · Updated January 2025
Prairie Dog Ownership Laws by State (2025)
Prairie dogs have a uniquely complicated legal history in the US, shaped by a 2003 federal monkeypox outbreak. Here is where things stand in 2025 for captive-bred animals.
Overview: Prairie Dog Ownership and Federal Restrictions
Prairie dogs (genus Cynomys) are burrowing rodents native to the grasslands of North America, known for their complex social structures and distinctive warning calls. They became popular as exotic pets in the 1990s and early 2000s — and then became the subject of federal intervention.
The Federal Monkeypox Import Ban (2003)
In June 2003, the United States experienced its first domestic outbreak of monkeypox, linked to imported African rodents (Gambian pouched rats) that were housed with prairie dogs at a distributor in Illinois. Prairie dogs that contracted monkeypox from the imported animals were sold as pets and transmitted the virus to approximately 71 people in six states.
The CDC and FDA issued an emergency order in June 2003 prohibiting the import, transport, and sale of prairie dogs as pets. This ban has been partially lifted and modified since then. As of 2024, the import of African rodents that can carry monkeypox (including Gambian pouched rats and African dormice) remains restricted, but the blanket prohibition on prairie dog commerce has been substantially lifted for captive-bred US-born animals.
Prairie dogs that are already in the US pet trade — captive-bred from domestic stock — are generally legal to own in most states. The ongoing restrictions apply to imports and to animals that have had potential contact with exotic African rodents.
State-by-State Status
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | Banned | Prairie dogs are native species; all native rodents are prohibited as pets |
| Hawaii | Banned | All non-native mammals prohibited |
| Colorado | Permit | Prairie dogs are native; possession of captive-bred animals requires a small mammal permit from CO Parks & Wildlife |
| Most states | Permit | Most states require documentation of captive-bred origin and some form of permit or registration due to their status as a native North American species in many regions |
What to Ask Before Buying a Prairie Dog
Before purchasing a prairie dog, ask the seller for documentation confirming the animal is US captive-bred from domestic stock with no exposure to imported exotic rodents. A reputable seller should be able to provide a bill of sale, documentation of the breeding facility, and health records. Prairie dogs should receive a health examination from an exotic animal veterinarian familiar with rodent diseases before you bring one home.