Feeding Foxes
Urban foxes have never had any trouble making a successful living alongside people, and most city dwellers will probably have at least one fox visiting their garden. These foxes will very often feel quite happy and safe to use the garden shed to den under, and this is where they will usually give birth to their cubs from early March onwards. Many people get a great deal of enjoyment from feeding their local fox, but this should be done in a responsible fashion. Please be aware that these are wild animals, so NEVER try to tame them.
They should ALWAYS be fed and watched from a distance, this will help to prevent them from becoming confident around people. A confident fox may well approach people for food with disastrous consequences! It's worth remembering that not everybody likes a fox, and a fox-disliking neighbour needs no permission from a fox-loving neighbour to arrange for that animal to be dispatched.
How and what to feed your urban fox
When feeding your visiting fox it's important that you DON'T put out large quantities of food. Foxes that are fed large amounts on a regular basis can become dependant on your 'hand-outs'. Always clear away any uneaten food as this will help to prevent unwanted visitors arriving, such as rats and the local cats.
Foxes eat a very varied diet in the wild; from earthworms, insects, fruits, wild birds, and small mammals. However, the urban fox is pretty happy to eat most things from tinned cat and dog food, dry complete dog biscuits, and any cooked vegetables or table scraps. Always ensure you provide a bowl of fresh drinking water, this is particularly important during hot dry spells. Even if you don't wish to feed a visiting fox, a shallow bowl of water is always welcomed by our wildlife.