People who regularly spot foxes outside their homes have been given an important warning by the RSPCA
Foxes can be a nuisance(Image: Getty)
Seeing a fox wandering through the garden can be exciting, particularly when the animal returns regularly or appears comfortable around the house. The RSPCA says foxes are generally shy and peaceful garden visitors, with most passing through without causing significant damage.
The charity says foxes may leave clues behind, including holes, food debris, buried food and droppings. They are mainly nocturnal but can also be seen around dawn and dusk, meaning a daytime sighting does not necessarily mean a fox is unwell or behaving unusually.
However, there is one thing the RSPCA specifically tells people not to do when a fox appears. The charity says people should never attempt to hand-feed or pet a fox, even if it seems tame.
According to the RSPCA, foxes may bite if they see close contact as threatening, while becoming accustomed to humans providing food can also make them bolder. This can create risks for the fox because it may begin expecting food from other people.
The Scottish SPCA also advises people not to hand-feed foxes, saying wild animals can be unpredictable and should be observed from a safe distance. It says foxes are particularly likely to bite if they feel threatened, including when they are protecting cubs.
The advice does not mean foxes should automatically be chased away. The RSPCA says people can feed foxes responsibly, suggesting foods including tinned cat or dog food and certain fruits, while warning against grapes, raisins, meat bones and excessive amounts of food.
Anyone choosing to leave food out is also encouraged to speak to neighbours first. The charity says foxes are shy, mostly night-time visitors and do not generally pose a risk to people, children, pets or gardens.
For households that do not want foxes visiting, removing food sources is one of the RSPCA’s recommendations. It advises securing bins and composters, clearing fallen fruit, removing pet food and preventing bird food from spilling onto the ground.
Homeowners should take extra care if a fox appears to be living under decking, a shed or another structure. The RSPCA says a suspected den should never be blocked until it has been established that it is empty, because cubs could be inside.
The Scottish SPCA says securing bins and removing other food sources can help discourage foxes from repeatedly visiting a garden. It also recommends keeping gardens tidy and checking for sheltered spaces under sheds or other structures, while warning against inhumane deterrents that could injure wildlife.
