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Would a hyena make a good pet? Perhaps not surprisingly, the answer is no, absolutely not. They’re wild animals. They’re not even friendly in the animated family film “The Lion King”!
That hasn’t stopped some people from trying to domesticate them, though, with mixed results. We don’t recommend trying this, as wild animals should stay wild, but if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to add a hyena to your household, everything that you need to know is here.
Are Hyenas Terrible Pets?
There are some reports of hyena cubs being raised under human care. The ultimate goal for this should always be to reintroduce the animal back into their natural habitat once they are ready.
But if you’re considering raising a hyena cub instead of a puppy, we highly discourage you from doing this. You’d be better off getting a dog. Our canines have been domesticated for thousands of years, whereas hyenas haven’t been domesticated at all.
Sometimes, even the most loving, trustworthy family dog can snap and bite someone. That can happen even with the benefit of more than 30,000 years of domestication. Now, imagine a wild animal that hasn’t had any of that domestication. Even a well-behaved hyena could be a ticking time bomb.
If you like the idea of having a pet that can kill you or a family member, then by all means, adopt a hyena. Otherwise, though, stick with dogs.
Is It Even Legal to Own a Hyena?
Owning a hyena will be against the law in many parts of the world, including most of the states in the US, and even if you live somewhere that allows you to keep a hyena at home, you’ll likely need to get an assortment of permits. Additionally, according to some sources, purchasing a hyena from a breeder could cost you anywhere between $4,500–$9,000.
Are Hyenas Good With Other Pets?
Don’t expect them to live peacefully with your cat, guinea pig, or other dogs. They’re not domesticated—they’re used to living in the wild, where every non-family member is either a threat or a meal on wheels.
There’s a bit of a catch-22 about this too. Some hyenas can bond with dogs if they’re raised with them from puppyhood, but that can lead them to form packs. Hyenas typically form packs for one purpose: to hunt smaller and weaker animals.
More troublingly, though, they may see small children and maybe even some adults as two-bite brownies. Unless your child is Tarzan, you don’t want to raise them around wild, dangerous animals like hyenas.
Ultimately, a hyena will never be trustworthy in the same way that a dog is—at least, not for a few thousand years.
Is There Anything Else That I Need to Know About Owning Hyenas?
Hyenas secrete a substance from their anal glands commonly known as “hyena butter.” It’s a paste that they wipe on surfaces to mark their territory. You probably don’t want to know how anal-secreted hyena butter smells.
Hyenas also need special enclosures because they’re incredible jumpers. Your regular fence isn’t likely to cut it, so you’ll need an extremely tall fence, preferably with coyote rollers on top. They’re energetic too, so you’ll need to give them plenty of room to run around.
Are There Any Benefits to Owning a Hyena?
While hyenas are intelligent and may even form bonds with humans under very specific and controlled conditions, they are not domesticated animals and are extremely difficult to care for safely. Their behavior is unpredictable and can’t be compared to domesticated pets like dogs.
For most people, the challenges and risks of owning a hyena far outweigh any potential benefits.
The Verdict: Should You Get a Hyena?
If you have the opportunity to adopt a hyena, we strongly urge you to reconsider. While they may seem fascinating or even cute at times, they are wild animals with complex needs and unpredictable behaviors that make them unsuitable as pets.
Instead, consider adopting a dog. Countless wonderful companions are waiting in shelters near you. They’re loyal, loving, and far better suited to life alongside humans.
Featured Image Credit: Jaroslav Španko, Pixabay
