No-one has ever sent us one of a fox chasing a cat and we’ve never observed such ourselves. She explains further: Most reports of foxes attacking cats are either a result of misunderstanding, or are malicious. I would make a small possible exception for tiny kittens, which could possibly be attacked purely as an almost reflex action of pouncing on a small furry animal (however I know of no actual cases of this). With benign tolerance. 5 Years. They need to be securely housed to ensure foxes cannot get access to them. Over the 23 years we’ve been in existence we’ve paid for around 15 post-mortems on cats suspected of being killed by foxes. Because they are so intelligent, you are more likely to catch a raccoon or your barn cat in a live trap. When they are around. Unlike some animals, foxes have adapted to urban environments. [toggle title=”2: Have any of the cats you look after had any issues with foxes that you know of?” state=”off” style=”solid”]. Foxes live in social groups – three or four adults are quite common (though 10 were recorded in one Bristol group). As cats are notorious for curiosity and for mauling small animals, their concern is well founded, and we admit several such cubs every year with serious cat scratches and bites. But they are definitely outclassed by a fox, especially a larger one. OK, so maybe the norm is not the photo below either. This has left the question on everybody’s lips – do foxes eat cats? They're medium-sized, between 7 and 15 pounds, with pointy faces, lithe frames, and bushy tails. So, what do Foxes eat as part of their natural diet? However, small pets, like rabbits and guinea pigs can be taken by foxes. Good to read another viewpoint though. A British back yard drama unfolds as a hungry fox approaches a crouching domestic cat. So getting rid of one doesn’t mean another won’t move in to take its place. Please don't forget to raise FREE donations for National Fox Welfare Society when you shop the sales! Let foxes remain in … David Cuffe Associates, who are based in Clapham, stipulated further that. But it is always possible – there are thousands of three-month old cubs beginning to run around. His own cat of 17 years was recently killed by a fox in Central London. However, they have been known to kill foxes if their normal food is scarce. Dogs are generally too big for a fox to want to attack. This increases the chances for cat-fox interactions. I am absolutely convinced that foxes do not represent a threat to cats. Speaking personally to 12 veterinary surgeons based in London and country practices, I asked how many cases they had seen where a cat has been brought in with a suspected fox bite or ‘fights’ within the last year. Foxes are quite similar in size to adult cats. Foxes also eat rats and other rodents and can thus help to keep those pests down. If you are concerned about your cats safety..then do not let it outdoors. The foxes have to hide at night because the coyotes are nocturnal. I can only imagine the fox has found itself in a situation and it has become distressed and panicked. [toggle title=”3: Do you see foxes on a regular basis in any of your clients’ gardens when you are there with the cat?” state=”off” style=”solid”]. They now have health data on over 400,000 companion animals from over 200 practices across the UK. most of the serious injuries we see on cats are due to territorial fighting between neighbouring cats. Her fear was that many people misinterpret what they hear or see. In particular, for killing garden birds. Please don't forget to raise FREE donations for National Fox Welfare Society when you shop the sales! It a genuine concern of owners to harbor the fear of having their cat attacked by a fox. I think it is rare for a fox to attack a cat in UK. There is no way fox hounds are a danger to family pets.” John Haigh, Public Relations Officer, British Field Sports Society. [toggle title=”Why did your client think her cat was killed by a fox?” state=”off” style=”solid”]. Even then, I think a vixen would be relying on threat rather than attack. It would be absurd to suggest a cat never comes off worse from an encounter with a fox, but we’d suggest it was so rare as to be insignificant. Family cat savaged to death by 27 hunt hounds (then handed back in dog food bag) was killed because she 'panicked and tried to run away' says huntsman . A British back yard drama unfolds as a hungry fox approaches a crouching domestic cat. Yes, cats have some ability to escape and some ability to defend themselves. [one_third valign=”top” animation=”none”], [two_third_last valign=”top” animation=”none”], Of course fox attacks can happen on the rare occasion and so cannot be entirely ruled out if we are to be realistic. Foxes are quite similar in size to adult cats. media enquiries for Anita Kelsey cat behaviourist, the Importance of climbing for indoor cats, Why is my cat is peeing outside of its litter box, How To Harness Train A Cat To Walk On A Lead. Foxes and cats meet many times every night, and invariably ignore each other. Outdoor hutches and runs are usually quite insecure and many won’t give proper protection against foxes. Walking into people’s houses is not common place and they would never go in with the intention of attacking someone. Most wire pens are not robust enough to deter a determined fox. However, when there are problems, it’s usually during the cub season, when foxes – like all species – will take on anyone and anything to protect their young. In particular, for killing garden birds. Knowing what do foxes not like may help you to repel them. Foxes are massively misunderstood. Maybe it’s time for the guardians of the free roaming cat to let go of fears and the myth that their cat is going to be eaten by a fox whenever it steps outside the cat flap. Need fox removal in your hometown? Foxes may kill cats, but cats will fight back in any way possible. Foxes love to chew, dig and poop all over our lawns. Well,  from a personal perspective, I’ve had three cats in recent years and all of them chased the foxes out of the garden if they spotted them! Thus it is understandable if vixens with young cubs act defensively if a cat comes too near the nursery earth, as the cat clearly can represent a lethal threat to tiny cubs. They will watch you and your habits and learn when it is the safest to make an attack on your poultry. When asked the question ‘will foxes kill my cat’ they had this to say: It’s possible but very unlikely. Thankfully these are extremely rare. Scaring devices that emit ultra-sonic sound may be effective in the short term but foxes may become accustomed to the sound and lose their fear Will foxes kill my cat? Foxes and cats meet many times every night, and invariably ignore each other. I also spoke to Sharon Williams, who runs a pet boarding and dog and cat sitting company, called Purr-fect Kitty, in Shortlands which is surrounded by woodland. Despite the statistics, and the unlikelihood of your cat being attacked and eaten, there are some precautions you can take if you are concerned: • You can deter foxes from entering your garden by using a variety of methods. When I question why these cats are kept in at night, 100% of the human guardians reply that it is because of foxes. Though it could happen that a fox tries to attack a dog or more likely a cat, they will be scared off when the noise begins or when a cat’s claws come out. Foxes have killed TWO of my cats and ripped off the catflap trying to get into my house, claims distraught owner. Find out what to do with an injured or sick fox or if you are concerned about a fox cub. The cats watch the foxes when they’re in the garden. Accredited Cat Behaviour Expert in London, UK. I asked him what his thoughts were on foxes attacking cats and why he felt this could happen on occasions? A little probing made it quite obvious that what she was actually hearing was the cubs at noisy play – they make a lot of yickering and screechy noises when they play. Unsubscribe. than with situations involving aggression. We service over 500 USA locations! But the way the cat has passed away has been highly misinterpreted. are cats less stressed having examination at vets or home? • If you cat has been unwell recently and you know foxes are in the area keep them in the house as much as possible. because she is worried about foxes and when the cat was found it had been chewed up a bit. Generally, only one vixen breeds, but occasionally up to three do. How much truth is in recent newspaper articles? And there is plenty of food available in our bins. Unlike some animals, foxes have adapted to urban environments. Find out what to do with an injured or sick fox or if you are concerned about a fox cub. Cats will generally behave defensively in the face of a threat, hissing, spitting, bushing up their fur and clawing and biting if threatened. While some people count foxes as rather endearing, fox pest control may be a … Foxes do carry diseases and parasites much the same as other pests. 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