What is the Cost of Maintaining a Wolf?

Wolves can never be pets. Even when kept in captivity, a wolf is a wild animal and must always be treated as such, although they can become bonded to humans. The cost of maintaining a wolf is similar to that of keeping a large dog. Wolves are subject to the same diseases as dogs and have similar dietary requirements. The initial cost of setting up a wolf habitat will be higher, however, and insurance premiums may further increase maintenance costs.

  1. Considerations

    • The initial cost of a proper wolf enclosure can be high. According to experts, the minimum recommended space per wolf should be 1,600 square feet. Since wolves are expert escape artists and can scale even an eight-foot fence, a secure covering or generous and sturdy overhang is necessary to prevent escape. The bottom of the fencing should be buried beneath the ground or trenched with concrete to prevent them from digging out. Wolves kept in isolation can become depressed, aggressive or both. Wolves are highly social pack animals and need the company of at least one other wolf, so the cost of keeping a single wolf should be doubled.

    Benefits

    • Wolves, like dogs or any other carnivore, benefit from a species-appropriate diet. While a wolf can be sustained on a dry kibble pellet diet, this is not ideal for their health. Proper maintenance and keeping of wolves should include a raw, prey-model diet of meat and bones, fed to satiety every one or two days. Food maintenance costs can be kept quite low by finding inexpensive sources of meat, and having a large freezer to store food. Hunting and farming, or knowing hunters and farmers, can be a cheap way of obtaining wolf food. Buying in bulk from butchers or wholesale meat suppliers will significantly cut costs. Inexpensive meats include beef heart, whole chickens, pork and beef neckbones, tripe and offal. The ideal food for wolves is whole animals such as deer, elk, ducks and geese, and hunting can provide this food for very little cost.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Like dogs, wolves are susceptible to diseases like distemper, parvovirus and heartworm infection. On average wolves weigh between 70 to 80 pounds and their veterinary costs for vaccinations and heartworm preventative will be the same as for dogs of the same size. Vaccinations do not have to be given annually. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that core vaccinations should be given every three years, although a vaccination schedule should be determined based on specific geographical risk assessments. Finding a veterinarian experienced in the care and handling of wolves and wolf hybrids is the best option.

    Geography

    • Be aware that it is illegal in many states to own wolves or wolf-dog hybrids. In states where it is legal, you may need to purchase additional homeowners insurance coverage, which will increase the monthly costs of owning wolves. Check with your state Department of Natural Resources. See the link below.

    Warning

    • Even when very tame, never forget that wolves are wild animals and have a high predator drive. Children are particularly at risk and should never be left with a wolf or wolf hybrid. The cost of a proper enclosure may seem high, but most wolves are too destructive and potentially dangerous to live in a house like a dog. Dogs have benefited from thousands of years of selective breeding ensuring their stability as house pets, while wolves have not.