Red foxes have adapted remarkably well to living alongside people. They can be found in towns, cities, suburbs, villages and rural areas, using gardens, parks, railway land, allotments and other green spaces for shelter and food.

Seeing a fox in your garden, including during daylight hours, does not automatically mean that the fox is sick or dangerous. Foxes may be active during the day for many normal reasons, including looking for food, caring for cubs or finding somewhere quiet to rest.

Why do foxes visit gardens?

Gardens can provide foxes with food, water, shelter and quiet places to rest.

A fox may visit because it has found:

• Food or food waste

• Accessible rubbish bins

• Fallen fruit

• Bird food

• Compost containing food

• A quiet place to rest

• Shelter underneath sheds, decking or other structures

Foxes are opportunistic feeders and will make use of whatever suitable food is available.

Are urban foxes dangerous?

Foxes are wild animals and should always be treated with respect, but they generally avoid people.

A fox appearing in a garden during the day is not, by itself, a sign of illness or aggression. Give the animal space and avoid trying to touch, corner or tame it.

Children should not approach wild foxes, and dogs and cats should be prevented from chasing or cornering them.

Should I feed foxes?

Some people enjoy watching foxes and choose to provide food. Others prefer not to encourage regular visits.

If you decide to feed wildlife, avoid leaving large quantities of food out for long periods. Leftover food can attract other animals and become spoiled.

Foxes have a varied natural diet that includes small mammals, birds, insects, worms, fruit and carrion. Urban foxes can also make use of food waste and other human-provided food sources.

If you feed foxes, remember that they remain wild animals. Feeding should not be used to encourage a fox to approach people or enter a house, shed or other enclosed space.

For more information, see our Fox Diet and Feeding Foxes pages.

Foxes and gardens

Foxes sometimes dig in lawns or flower beds. They may be looking for earthworms, insects or buried food.

They may also choose to rest underneath sheds, decking or other garden structures.

If you do not want foxes using part of your garden, humane deterrence and removing accessible food sources can help. Avoid blocking a possible den until you are certain it is not being used, particularly during the period when cubs may be present.

Foxes and sheds

A fox may choose a quiet space beneath a shed or another outbuilding as a resting place or den.

Before blocking an opening, make sure that no foxes or cubs are using it. If you are unsure, seek appropriate wildlife advice.

Never seal a fox inside a building or underneath a structure.

If cubs are present, the adults may leave them for periods while they search for food. See our Fox Cubs page before taking any action.

Foxes, dogs, cats and other pets

Foxes can live alongside domestic animals, but unnecessary contact should be avoided.

Keep dogs, cats and other pets under control around foxes. Do not allow a dog to chase or corner a fox.

If a fox and a domestic animal come into close contact, avoid trying to separate them by hand. Seek appropriate veterinary or wildlife advice if an animal has been bitten or scratched.

Sarcoptic mange can affect foxes and dogs, so owners concerned about possible signs in a pet should speak to their veterinary practice.

Foxes and wildlife

Foxes are a natural part of Britain’s wildlife and share urban environments with many other species.

A wildlife-friendly garden can provide food, shelter and nesting opportunities for a wide range of animals. Foxes are just one part of this wider ecosystem.

Our Dogs, Cats, Pets and Wildlife sections contain further information about living alongside animals and wildlife.

Foxes and fox control

If foxes are visiting your garden, killing or removing individual foxes is not a reliable way of preventing future foxes from visiting. Other foxes may subsequently use the available habitat and food sources.

The most practical approach is usually to identify what is attracting foxes and remove or manage those attractants where possible.

Avoid using poisons or harmful substances against wildlife.

Seeing a fox during the day

It is a common misconception that a fox seen during daylight must be ill.

Foxes can be active at any time of day. A vixen may be searching for food for cubs, a fox may be returning to or leaving a resting place, or it may simply be taking advantage of a quiet period.

Look at the animal’s overall behaviour rather than the time of day.

If the fox is walking normally, alert and able to move away, there is generally no reason to assume that it needs rescuing simply because you have seen it in daylight.

When should I be concerned?

A fox may need professional help if it is:

• Obviously injured

• Trapped or caught

• Bleeding heavily

• Unable to stand or walk normally

• Extremely weak or unresponsive

• Showing severe breathing difficulties

• In immediate danger

If you are concerned about a particular fox, keep your distance and seek appropriate wildlife or animal welfare advice rather than attempting to catch it yourself.

See our Injured Foxes – What to Do page for further information.

Foxes and sarcoptic mange

Sarcoptic mange is a skin disease caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. It can cause severe itching, scratching, hair loss and crusting of the skin.

A fox with hair loss should not automatically be assumed to have mange, and a fox showing possible signs of mange should not be handled by members of the public.

For more information, see:

Sarcoptic Mange in Foxes: The Mite and Its Life Cycle

Living alongside foxes

For many people, foxes are an enjoyable part of seeing wildlife close to home.

The simplest way to live alongside them is to give them space, avoid encouraging them to approach people and manage food and rubbish responsibly.

Foxes are adaptable wild animals. Understanding their behaviour can help prevent unnecessary conflict and reduce the number of healthy animals being treated as though they need rescuing.

About Derbyshire Fox Rescue

Derbyshire Fox Rescue has retired from active rescue work. This website is retained as an information resource about foxes, wildlife and related subjects.

For a fox that is currently injured, trapped or seriously unwell, please seek advice from an appropriate current wildlife rescue or animal welfare organisation.