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Home > Cats > Do Foxes Attack and Eat Cats? Facts & FAQ

Do Foxes Attack and Eat Cats? Facts & FAQ

golden fox and a cat

Cats are awesome companions for us humans. We tend to get attached to them quickly! Once bonded with a cat, their well-being becomes a focus in our lives. If you are like most cat owners who live near wild foxes, you might be wondering if the foxes will chase, attack, or even eat your cat. This is a valid concern that deserves attention. Yes, foxes do attack and even eat cats, though it is rare. Only once you understand the dangers of foxes to cats can you take steps to properly protect your beloved feline family member. Here is everything you need to know about foxes and their threat to cats.

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Are Foxes a Danger to Cats?

The short answer is yes and no. In general, foxes keep to themselves as much as possible. They are not known for attacking humans, but they sometimes end up attacking pets like dogs and cats when they feel threatened. However, the documented instances of foxes attacking and eating cats are few and far between. In fact, there are many documented occasions when cats have chased foxes off their owners’ properties instead of the other way around.

So yes, foxes can be a danger to cats, but the risk is low. Foxes would rather run and hide than take on even a small animal like a cat when they are feeling threatened or insecure. If they are feeling cornered, they are starving, or they have had a fall-in with a cat before, the chances of them attacking a cat rise slightly. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your cat when they are outside. If a fox comes nearby, you can scare them away to ensure the safety of your feline pet.

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Image By: Pixabay

How to Keep Foxes Away From Your Property

Because foxes can be a threat to your cat, it is a good idea to take steps to keep them away from your property overall. The first thing you can do is make sure that your garbage cans are sealed shut. You can use bungee cords, tape, rope, or any other material to make your cans difficult to get into for foxes. If the challenge takes more than a minute or two, chances are that the fox will go away. The last thing they want to do is get caught by a human or another animal.

You should also make sure that pet food, whether for chickens, wild birds, cats, and dogs, is not readily available outdoors. If you feed your pets outside, pick their food dishes up afterward and do your best to make sure that no excess food is left behind on the ground. Rake excess food into piles, and then discard it or bring the food to the attention of your pets and encourage them to eat it all up.

Installing solar motion lights is an effective way to scare off foxes if they get too close to your home. If your dog sleeps outside at night, their insistent barking could be a sign that foxes are around, so the exterior of your home should be checked. Flashlights, beating pots and pans, and yelling should also help scare foxes away not only from your dogs but also your chickens and other farm animals.

The trick is catching them in the act, which could require spending time outdoors at night. Luckily, once you scare the foxes away once or twice, chances are small that they will return. Keeping foxes away is a commitment, but one well worth the effort when you can know for sure that you have protected your animals.

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Final Thoughts

The truth is that foxes pose only a small threat to cats. However, the more you protect your property from the potential predators, the better you can protect your cat companions when they spend time outdoors. If you live in an area where foxes are prominent, it is important to understand their dangers and to take extra steps, like using solar motion lights, to keep them away from your property. Have you had success chasing or keeping foxes or other predators away?

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Featured Image Credit: Rashid Valitov, Shutterstock

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