Very rarely. An adult cat is about the same size as a fox and defends itself well, so foxes generally leave cats alone. The real risk is to kittens and very small cats under about 2.3 kg, and to rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens left outside. Keeping kittens and small pets indoors at night keeps them safe.
whether foxes eat cats quick facts
- Adult cats are about the same size as foxes.
- Kittens and cats under about 2.3 kg could be prey for a fox.
- Foxes mostly eat mice, voles, birds, worms and fruit.
- A red fox eats about 0.5 to 1 kg of food a day.
- Foxes may prey on rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens.
Do foxes eat cats?
Very rarely. Foxes and adult cats are usually about the same size, and most foxes are not interested in picking a fight with a grown-up cat.
The animal charity Humane World for Animals says a typical adult cat is almost the same size as a fox and is very good at defending itself, so foxes are generally not interested in taking on cats.
The real risk is to kittens and very small cats. Humane World for Animals says kittens and adult cats weighing less than about 2.3 kg (5 pounds) could be prey for a fox.
| Pet | Risk from a fox |
|---|---|
| Adult cat | very low |
| Kitten | at risk |
| Very small adult cat, under about 2.3 kg | at risk |
| Rabbits and guinea pigs | at risk if left outside |
| Chickens | at risk if not shut in |
| Adult dog | very low, unless it threatens fox cubs |
Fox versus cat: who is bigger?
A red fox looks bigger than it really is, because of its long legs, thick fur and bushy tail. The Wildlife Trusts say red foxes are about 90 to 105 cm long, and 35 to 40 cm of that is tail.
Most adult red foxes weigh about 5 to 7 kg. That is only a little more than a typical pet cat.
Cats are well armed. They have sharp claws, sharp teeth, quick reflexes and can climb out of reach in seconds. For a fox, attacking an adult cat would mean a real risk of getting hurt.
A wild fox cannot afford an injury. If it is badly scratched or bitten, it may not be able to hunt, so it is much safer for a fox to leave a cat alone.
What do foxes really eat?
Foxes are omnivores, which means they eat both animals and plants. The RSPCA says their food includes birds, rabbits, rodents, frogs, worms, insects, carrion and fungi, as well as fruit and berries.
Humane World for Animals says foxes hunt very small animals, such as squirrels, birds and chipmunks. In towns, they also scavenge, especially where pet food and rubbish are easy to find.
Animal Diversity Web says a red fox eats about 0.5 to 1 kg of food a day. When it finds more than it needs, it buries the extra in a hiding place to eat later.
Small, easy prey such as mice, voles and worms is far more tempting to a fox than an adult cat that will fight back.
Do city foxes eat cats?
Many foxes live in towns and cities, close to people and their pets. The RSPCA says urban foxes will eat anything they can get, including food waste and leftovers, and even pigeons and rats.
City foxes and pet cats often share the same gardens and streets. Most of the time, they simply ignore each other.
The main reason a city fox and a cat might clash is food. Pet food left outside, or open bins, can bring foxes and cats to the same spot at the same time.
How do foxes and cats behave together?
The RSPCA says foxes are shy, not sly. They are reserved, timid animals that prefer to keep their distance from people.
When a fox and a cat meet, there is often a standoff. The cat may arch its back, puff up its fur and hiss, and the fox usually backs away.
Sometimes the two animals even sit a short distance apart, watching each other without any trouble.
Fights can happen, usually over food. Both animals can be scratched or bitten. If your cat comes home hurt, take it to a vet.
Night-time neighbours
Foxes are most active at dusk and during the night, which is also when many cats like to roam. That is why most meetings between foxes and cats happen after dark.
Both animals are hunting for the same kinds of small prey, such as mice and voles. They are more like rivals than predator and prey.
On a quiet night, a cat and a fox may pass each other in a garden without a second look, each going about its own business.
Fox cubs in spring
In spring, foxes raise their cubs in dens, often under sheds, in thick bushes or in quiet corners of gardens and parks.
Like most animal parents, foxes protect their young. Humane World for Animals says dogs are only at risk from foxes if they threaten the cubs, and the same common sense applies to cats and people: give fox families plenty of space.
Kittens and small cats
Kittens are small and not yet good at defending themselves, so they are the cats most at risk from foxes.
Very small adult cats, and old or ill cats that cannot run and climb well, may also be in more danger.
Humane World for Animals says the safest approach is to keep cats indoors. That also protects them from other dangers, such as traffic, disease and fights with other cats.
Do red foxes eat cats?
The red fox is the most widespread fox in the world, and the one most people see in towns and gardens. It is the fox that pet owners usually worry about.
Red foxes mostly hunt mice and voles, pouncing on them from above after listening for them in the grass. An adult cat is not their usual prey. Learn more in our red fox facts for kids.
Do kit foxes eat cats?
The kit fox is a small fox that lives in the deserts of western North America. It is smaller than a typical pet cat, with a slim body and very large ears.
Because it is so small, a kit fox is even less of a threat to an adult cat than a red fox is. It feeds mainly on small desert animals, such as rodents and insects.
Another small fox with huge ears lives in the Sahara Desert. Meet it in our fennec fox facts.
What about dogs?
Humane World for Animals says most dogs are not at risk from a fox, unless the dog threatens the fox’s cubs.
Even so, it says dogs should not be left outside on their own for long periods. Very small dogs should be watched when they are outside.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens
These pets are much more at risk than cats. Humane World for Animals says foxes may prey on small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens.
They should be kept indoors, or in sturdy hutches and runs with strong wire mesh, secure locks and a solid floor, so a fox cannot dig underneath.
Shut chickens safely inside their coop every evening, before it gets dark.
How to keep your cat safe
Keep kittens indoors: young kittens should stay inside, especially at night.
Bring cats in at night: foxes are most active at dusk and during the night.
Do not leave food outside: pet food left in the garden attracts foxes.
Secure your bins: tight lids stop foxes looking for scraps near your home.
What to do if you see a fox
If you see a fox in your garden or street, stay calm and enjoy watching it from a distance. Most foxes will quickly move away from people.
Do not chase it, corner it or try to feed it. Feeding foxes by hand teaches them to come close to people, which is not good for them.
If a fox seems very tame, injured or unwell, tell an adult, who can contact a local wildlife rescue group for advice.
Can foxes pass on diseases?
In some countries, foxes can carry rabies, a serious disease that can spread to people and pets through a bite, according to Animal Diversity Web. Some countries, including the UK, do not have rabies in wild animals.
Wherever you live, never try to touch, feed or catch a wild fox. If a fox seems ill or injured, ask an adult to contact a local wildlife charity.
Living alongside foxes
Foxes can be good neighbours. The RSPCA says they are sociable and playful with their own families, and they help keep down the numbers of rats and pigeons in towns.
If foxes are causing problems, the RSPCA recommends humane ways to discourage them, rather than trying to harm them.
Three things people get wrong
Foxes are not a big danger to adult cats. Adult cats are about the same size and fight back well.
Foxes are not sly. The RSPCA says they are shy, timid animals.
Foxes do not only eat meat. They also eat fruit, berries, fungi and scraps.
Did you know? The RSPCA says foxes are shy, not sly: they are timid animals that prefer to keep away from people.
Try it
Check your garden for things that might attract a fox, such as open bins or pet food left outside, and help an adult fix them.
Knowledge check
Which cats are most at risk from foxes?
Show answer
Kittens and very small cats.
Which pets should be shut in at night because of foxes?
Show answer
Rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens.
Frequently asked questions
Do foxes eat cats?
Very rarely. Adult cats are about the same size as foxes and defend themselves well, so foxes generally leave them alone. Kittens and very small cats are at risk.
Will a fox attack my cat?
It is unlikely. Fights sometimes happen, usually over food, and both animals can be hurt. Keeping cats in at night lowers the risk.
Do foxes eat kittens?
Kittens can be prey for a fox, because they are small and cannot defend themselves well. Keep kittens indoors, especially at night.
What do foxes eat?
Foxes are omnivores. They eat birds, rabbits, rodents, frogs, worms, insects, fruit, berries and fungi, and in towns they scavenge scraps and rubbish.
Are foxes dangerous to dogs?
Most dogs are not at risk from a fox, unless the dog threatens the fox’s cubs. Very small dogs should still be watched outside.
How can I keep my pets safe from foxes?
Keep kittens and small pets indoors at night, lock rabbits and chickens in sturdy hutches, secure bins and do not leave pet food outside.
Sources
- Humane World for Animals: what to do about foxes — foxes and cats, kittens and small cats, small pets, dogs, fox diet and safety advice
- RSPCA: foxes — fox diet, urban foxes, shy behaviour, family life and living alongside foxes
- The Wildlife Trusts: red fox — size and weight of red foxes
- Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan: red fox — daily food, caching and rabies
