Animal Companion, fox's cunning and Ioun Stones, feat prerequisite

[Michael Grate]

An Ioun Stone can be utilized by a creature with an INT score of at least 3 as noted here. I also want said intelligence so it has access to more feats.

I don't want to use an ability score increase and I'd prefer to have the headband slot on my mount so instead of using it on the headband of vast intelligence (or one of the other variants) I'd like to have an Ioun Stone. The problem is that its starting INT is 2.

What I want to do is use a potion of Fox's Cunning (or spell if a spell-caster is available) on my mount giving it a temporary intelligence of 6. From here I want it to use that increased intelligence to activate the stone. This way when the spell's effect wears off, the stone will already be active giving it an intelligence of 4 (alternative, my character will need a headband that increases INT so I can temporarily place that on my mount (I can wait the 24 hours if necessary) and do the same thing)

What I need to know is if this would be a workable option and if the intelligence granted by the stone works in allowing the mount to take feats outside of the normally select-able ones for an animal companion?

[James Risner]

Don't do. Too much table variance. Ask your GM. If PFS, do not do unless you are fine with your Animal Companion being ruled as Int 2 in some games and Int 3 in others. Plus this would be something you would need to clear every game with a different GM.

[Nefreet]

After the Fox's Cunning spell wore off the animal would no longer have the requisite Intelligence for the Ioun Stone to continue its orbit.

You can't fulfill the requirement with the benefit.

This precedent may not be spelled out anywhere clearly, but it's well understood in other areas of Pathfinder, such as retraining feats or archetypes. When people tried to claim that spellcasting increases from Prestige Classes could be used to qualify for that very Prestige Class, the Developers made sure to close that loophole with an FAQ.

If this is for PFS, it won't fly.

If this is for a home game, consult your GM.

[Michael Grate]

So the options are to spend an ability point or use the headband slot then?

[Nefreet]

Most people spend an ability point.

Some people play Humans with the Eye For Talent alternate racial Trait.

Others play Paladins, since their mount has an Int of 6.

[Tindalen]

Both of your responders so far are correct, it's the "permanent" part of the enhancement items. Permanent bonuses grant access, if they are not permanent, they do not. At level 4 give your pet's boost to int, before that they are not accessible.