The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a highly resourceful, opportunistic omnivore that has successfully adapted to human-dominated landscapes, frequently colonizing suburban and urban areas where resources are abundant. They consume a wide variety of food sources, including pet meals left outdoors. Therefore, the answer to whether foxes will eat dog food is a definite yes, as they readily scavenge for any available calories. This behavior introduces potential issues for both the wild animal and household pets.
Why Foxes Are Attracted to Dog Food
The primary motivation for a fox to consume dog food is its high-calorie density and the minimal effort required to obtain it. Dog food, especially dry kibble, is formulated to be highly palatable, rich in proteins and fats, and possesses a strong, meaty odor that attracts wild canids.
Residential areas offer predictable and concentrated food sources that rural environments often lack. Finding a full bowl of dog food is significantly easier than hunting for small rodents or insects, making the backyard a preferred foraging location. The easy availability of this food allows urban foxes to expend less energy on foraging.
Potential Risks of Shared Feeding
Allowing foxes to regularly access dog food carries several negative consequences.
Health and Disease Risks
Dog food is formulated for domestic canines and is not balanced for the specific dietary needs of a wild fox, potentially leading to long-term health issues. A significant risk involves the transmission of parasites and diseases between the species. Foxes can carry the eggs of the roundworm Toxocara canis, which are shed through feces and can contaminate the soil or the area around the food bowl. If a domestic dog ingests this contaminated material, it can become infected with toxocariasis. Foxes are also hosts for sarcoptic mange mites (Sarcoptes scabiei), which can be transmitted to dogs through direct contact, causing a highly contagious skin condition. While rare, foxes are also capable of transmitting rabies, and any unprovoked aggression should be treated with caution, as boldness can be a symptom of the disease.
Behavioral Risks
The presence of a consistent, easy food source leads to habituation, causing the foxes to lose their natural fear of humans. This increased boldness often results in nuisance behaviors, such as ripping open trash bags, digging up lawns to cache food, or causing property damage while seeking den sites. A fox accustomed to finding food in a yard may also increase the likelihood of confrontation with a domestic dog, which can result in injury to either animal.
Practical Steps to Deter Foxes
The most effective method for deterring foxes is to immediately eliminate all accessible food sources from the yard. Pet owners should feed domestic dogs indoors whenever possible, or strictly supervise outdoor feeding, removing the food bowl and any spilled kibble the moment the dog finishes eating. All outdoor pet food storage containers must be secured with tight-fitting, heavy lids.
Securing other household food waste is also necessary. Garbage cans should be secured with locks or placed inside a garage or sturdy shed until collection day. Additionally, any fallen fruit from trees should be gathered promptly, and bird feeding areas should be managed to prevent seed from accumulating on the ground.
To further discourage repeat visits, non-harmful deterrents can be employed to make the yard unwelcome. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle the fox without causing injury, teaching the animal to associate the area with an unpleasant experience. Physical barriers, such as burying an L-shaped footer of wire mesh 8 to 12 inches deep along the base of a fence, can prevent the fox from digging its way into the yard.