Red Foxes as Pets
North American Red Fox
Vulpes fulva or Vulpes vulpes
a.k.a common fox, cross fox, silver fox, marble fox
When somebody thinks of a fox, the red fox is the species that most often comes to mind. The iconic red fox features a brilliant reddish-orange coat with a white throat, chest, and belly, black legs and ears, and a white-tipped tail. Despite their name, red foxes are are not always red. They can be almost any color from red or orange to blue, lavender, white, gold, brown, silver, black, a combination of colors, or even albino! These different colors are commonly called color phases, even though red foxes stay basically the same color year round unlike their arctic fox cousins. Virtually all North American red foxes have a white-tipped tail regardless of their color phase. They usually weigh around 7-20 pounds and are about the size of a small or medium dog. They have a special gland located near the base of their tail, called a violet gland, which produces a very foul odor when the fox is scared or stressed.
Red foxes are kind of the bullies of the fox world, so be very careful if you choose to house them with different fox species. They have been known to attack other species. Reds are extremely intelligent, sneaky, and can be quite stubborn. Many fox owners describe their pets as furry 2-year old children that never grow up. Red foxes have been known to throw literal kicking and screaming temper tantrums when they don't get their way. They are definitely not the right pet for everyone, but if you have infinite amounts of patience, a kind heart, a curious mind, and plenty of time to devote to bonding, there is no other pet in the world like a fox.
housing As stated on the general care sheet, young foxes (kits) should be kept primarily indoors but allowed safe, supervised access to outdoors. However, due to the red fox's unpleasant odor I think an outdoor kennel is virtually a necessity as he gets older. Just don't leave him outdoors all the time. Foxes are curious, playful animals that have the potential to bond very strongly with their human. You will miss out on this joy by just throwing your fox in a pen all day long.
That being said, foxes should not be left to roam unsupervised. Both male and female red foxes love to mark their territory and they think everything is their territory. Reds mark by urinating and defecating. And they stink! If a red fox pees on something you can usually never get the smell out. While still a kit, keep him in an indoor kennel or crate when you can't watch him. As he gets older and larger and can no longer squeeze through gaps in fencing, you can slowly transition him to an outdoor pen for times when you can't keep an eye on him.
That being said, foxes should not be left to roam unsupervised. Both male and female red foxes love to mark their territory and they think everything is their territory. Reds mark by urinating and defecating. And they stink! If a red fox pees on something you can usually never get the smell out. While still a kit, keep him in an indoor kennel or crate when you can't watch him. As he gets older and larger and can no longer squeeze through gaps in fencing, you can slowly transition him to an outdoor pen for times when you can't keep an eye on him.
For a red fox kept for long periods of time outdoors, a chain link dog kennel with a minimum size of 12'x12' and 5' high is fine. You will need to have it securely covered such as by another panel or chicken wire braced with 2x4s if needed. Also provide some areas of both shade and sun and a den box or dog house. Foxes mate for life, but in the wild, red foxes often spend some time apart after their kits go off on their own, and then they meet back up later in the year. If you keep a pair of foxes together (only keep them together if they're spayed and/or neutered), provide a larger pen and separate den boxes or dog houses. Otherwise the submissive fox will often be left out in the elements. Red foxes are very accomplished diggers! It is imperative that you also have a wire or concrete floor in their pen. If your fox escapes he will likely die, either from starvation, predators, hunters, or other dangers. Also, wildlife rehabilitators have reported that captive foxes who spend extended amounts of time underground revert quite quickly to a instinctive fear of humans.
To satisfy a fox's natural desire to dig, and also to cache (bury and hide) food and toys, a sand box is a great idea! I've used things from clean large plastic barrels, to plastic totes, to an old bath tub filled with sand or clean soil depending on what your fox prefers to dig in. Just make sure that there are holes for water to drain if it is left out in the rain or keep it covered. I know of one person who buys the large old satellite dishes and turns them upside down above the barrel like a giant umbrella. Other entertainment could be outdoor children's climb-on toys, slides, logs, or wooden structures you can make yourself. Red foxes may not climb trees in the wild but they do love to jump and have different levels to climb on in captivity.
Many foxes are smart enough to open door latches, so it's a good idea to use a pad lock on the doors. Red foxes are sneaky. They will steal and hide anything appealing to them that they can get their paws (or teeth) on so have a spare key! Keep anything you don't want them to have well out of their reach both indoors and out.
Many foxes are smart enough to open door latches, so it's a good idea to use a pad lock on the doors. Red foxes are sneaky. They will steal and hide anything appealing to them that they can get their paws (or teeth) on so have a spare key! Keep anything you don't want them to have well out of their reach both indoors and out.
feeding Red foxes have the same diet and restrictions as other foxes. They usually prefer
meat-based treats to fruit and veggies, but in the wild they are omnivores so it's important to sneak some veggies into their diet occasionally to keep them healthy.
How to deliver a red fox's meal is where it gets a little tricky. Red foxes mark everything including their food and water. There are two commonly used methods to get around this when feeding. The first is by building a box and placing the food and water dishes inside so the fox can only get its head in. This is the easiest and most visually appealing method. My problem with this option -and it's a big problem- is that the fox just jumps up onto the box and pees on that instead! When wood soaks up red fox pee it is disgusting! You can try a slanted top on the box but foxes are amazing acrobats and I have watched them do ridiculous (and hilarious) balancing acts in order to pee on what they feel needs to be marked as theirs.
meat-based treats to fruit and veggies, but in the wild they are omnivores so it's important to sneak some veggies into their diet occasionally to keep them healthy.
How to deliver a red fox's meal is where it gets a little tricky. Red foxes mark everything including their food and water. There are two commonly used methods to get around this when feeding. The first is by building a box and placing the food and water dishes inside so the fox can only get its head in. This is the easiest and most visually appealing method. My problem with this option -and it's a big problem- is that the fox just jumps up onto the box and pees on that instead! When wood soaks up red fox pee it is disgusting! You can try a slanted top on the box but foxes are amazing acrobats and I have watched them do ridiculous (and hilarious) balancing acts in order to pee on what they feel needs to be marked as theirs.
My preferred method for delivering food and water is with buckets. Take a couple of new, clean five gallon buckets* with tight-fitting lids, one for food and one for water. Cut a hole in the side of each just large enough for the fox to stick his head in and drink or eat. Then cut another small hole in the lid just barely big enough to fill the bucket. I use a large food grade funnel and pour the dog food/water straight through the funnel into the hole in the lid.
*Make sure that young, shorter foxes can get to their water without the risk of falling in and drowning. You may have to start out with smaller buckets or smaller holes and increase as the fox gets larger.
*Make sure that young, shorter foxes can get to their water without the risk of falling in and drowning. You may have to start out with smaller buckets or smaller holes and increase as the fox gets larger.
Red foxes are very stubborn and persistent! They like to play games and will try to outsmart you. As you can see in this picture of Rusty's acrobatics, there is no lid on the water bucket. I watched those 2 determined little foxes repeatedly hit the bottom of the bucket until they splashed enough water out to make the bucket light enough that they could flip it on its side. Then they chewed and clawed at the lid until they got it off. Finally, they turned the bucket right side up and took turns drinking from top while balancing on the edge, and then peed in the water. I had to replace the bucket lol. Now I keep a heavy stone in the bottom of the bucket so no matter how hard they try, they can't flip it. And believe me, they've tried.
If you keep two foxes together you will probably have to have two separate feeding stations, but they will usually share the same water with no problems. Make sure to always have clean, fresh water available and wash out the buckets or bowls from time to time.
If you keep two foxes together you will probably have to have two separate feeding stations, but they will usually share the same water with no problems. Make sure to always have clean, fresh water available and wash out the buckets or bowls from time to time.
grooming As the weather begins to warm in spring and summer red foxes lose their thick winter coat and shed a lot! They also shed their summer coat just before winter, but not as much. The good news is, their fur usually comes out in clumps instead of as 1,000s of individual loose hairs like a dog so it's less messy. But, in addition to the standard fox grooming of nail trimming, and daily teeth and fur brushing, you will need to buy an undercoat rake, which is a specialty wide-tooth brush/comb used for dogs with long coats. Gently brush their fur frequently during this time so their hair does not become a matted, scraggly disaster and they can shed easier and more comfortably. Be patient and kind during brushing because if you ever hurt your fox and lose its trust it can be very hard to get that trust back.
back to General Fox Care
back to General Fox Care
Rusty, the natural colored red fox and Misty, the shadow colored red fox
* I am not a vet. This information is based upon my experiences with these animals, as well as information shared with me from other knowledgeable individuals. You may print this for your own personal use, but do not sell, redistribute, or remove copyright information. © Layla Reid, Mystic Gardens Fox Sanctuary
The silver fox photo from wiki commons
Calico fox photo courtesy of Patricia Wess.
The silver fox photo from wiki commons
Calico fox photo courtesy of Patricia Wess.