Feeding the foxes

[Ronnijade]

Yes or no? We have a little momma fox who I think has denned in our garden, and today we?ve just seen she also has three little babies! We fed her once a few weeks ago and now it seems they?ve taken a liking to our garden (and the bird feeder!) which is no problem to us whatsoever. I was just wondering what my neighbours opinions are of periodically leaving some food out for them?

[tomdhu]

Please do not.

There are several diseases associated with suburban foxes....

Toxocariasis This is the most common disease which foxes are likely to transmit to man. It is caused by a parasitic roundworm in the fox, toxocara canis. Microscopic toxocara eggs are present in the faeces of infected animals. These eggs have thick, sticky shells which means that they can remain infective in the soil for two to four years after the faeces have disappeared. The sticky shell helps eggs to adhere to fingers or clothing.

Humans can become infected with toxocara by accidentally swallowing the infective Toxocara eggs. This is why crawling babies and toddlers are most at risk; they tend to put dirty fingers and toys into their mouths. Medical records show that approximately 100 new cases of Toxocariasis are diagnosed each year. Once swallowed, Toxocara eggs release larvae into the intestine. These larvae travel through the body until they die, which may take several years.

The symptoms of this disease can be unpleasant and difficult to treat. They can include stomach upset and pain, headache, sore throat, wheezing and listlessness. In some cases, larvae reach the eyes where they can cause sight problems and in some cases blindness.

Domestic cats and dogs are prone to a form of this disease as well so cleaning up after their fouling is just as important.

It is important to always clear up fox faeces as soon as possible using a poop scoop and bag and to deposit it in a safe and secure bin. This is so as not to allow sufficient time for any roundworm eggs to incubate.

Weil?s disease (Leptospirosis) Foxes are also susceptible to Weil?s disease (Leptospirosis) Which is a potentially life threatening condition and can be passed on to domestic pets and humans via contact with their urine.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation by a tapeworm of the genus Echinococcus. It can result in the formation of cysts or parasitic tumours usually to the liver though lung, brain and bone can also be infected. It can be transmitted to humans either by directly ingesting food items or drinking water that is contaminated with stool from an infected animal or by petting or having other contact with cats and dogs that have been infected by proximity to foxes. These pets may shed the eggs in their stool, and their fur may be contaminated. They may also contaminate other objects, such as harnesses or leashes, which can also spread infection.

Sarcoptic Mange is a highly contagious skin condition which is caused by mites and results in irritation and extensive loss of hair. It can be fatal if left untreated. Foxes can pass mange on to dogs if they frequent each others' living space. If the infected dog then sleeps on beds or furniture, everyone will begin scratching. Fortunately scabies in humans is self-limiting, that is the mite can burrow under the skin and cause itching, but cannot complete its life cycle on humans and dies within a few weeks.

Fleas and ticks (Lyme disease transmitters) are carried by most foxes.

Please do not feed them.

[Zig-Zag]

Well I do feed the foxes despite the doom laden earlier post. As a car driver my risk of death/injury on the road is far higher than any risk to my health caused by foxes. Just my penny worth and not trying to provoke an argument. I love the foxes

[tiddles]

Feed em - they will move on soon enough

[DulwichFox]

tomdhu..

Utter Nonsense..

Far more danger from Dog Faeces than Foxes. and a lot more Dog faeces around than Fox Faeces.

I have fed Foxes for years ans NEVER see Fox Poop outside my house.

Plenty of Dog Poop on my road.

DulwichFox

[Mark]

No

[Loz334]

The attached might be of help

[Ronnijade]

I knew there was going to be some grump who?d mention disease... I?m not planning on eating fox sh*t anytime soon so I think I?m safe.

Time to go buy some bowls for my new fox family I guess!

[Mark]

If you're going to feed them this is useful:

Should I feed my foxes?

If you want to, yes; lots of people feed foxes, either regularly or occasionally, and get a great deal of enjoyment from doing so, but please be aware they are wild animals - feed and watch them, but don't try and tame them. In particular, don't put out excessive amounts of food and clear away any uneaten food. This will help ensure you do attract unwanted visitors, such as rats or cause a nuisance to your neighbours.

https://www.bbcwildlife.org.uk/urban-fox

[monkeyspanner]

Yes! If you want 4 adult foxes screeching all night, ripping up everything you leave out, and shitting all over your garden/doorstep, go ahead.

[Ronnijade]

Okay monkeyspanner! I will do! :D

[Jrooney]

If you feed them, will you be looking after them like you would with your pets? What will you do when you go on holiday? How will you make sure that they don't mess up your neighbours' gardens? I don't think it's realistic to treat them like pets. They are wild animals and we have to let them just live their own lives. We just have to peacefully co-exist with them.

[SnakeFilth]

They ought to not be encouraged, and feeding them just adds to the problem of them being in urban areas in the first place- they come as there are scraps of food to eat but then are a nuisance by ripping open bin bags, screaming in the middle of the night and generally offering nothing positive at all, apart from the the odd weirdo who thinks they are 'cute'. If you were my neighbour, i wouldnt be best pleased at you attracting them to where i live.

[Gloves]

That is because they poo on my shed roof.

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> tomdhu..

>

> Utter Nonsense..

>

> Far more danger from Dog Faeces than Foxes. and a

> lot more Dog faeces around than Fox Faeces.

>

> I have fed Foxes for years ans NEVER see Fox Poop

> outside my house.

>

> Plenty of Dog Poop on my road.

>

> DulwichFox

[Ronnijade]

I?m a weirdo for thinking foxes are cute? Well, then that must make you a psychopath, pal. I?m sorry you?re unable to find beauty in nature.

To all of the other comments with similar undertones... I said that I?d feed them periodically, so they wouldn?t become dependent. Maybe a treat once a week or something along those lines.

And one more thing! We?ve had foxes visiting our garden for years, and I?ve lived in the same house for 23 years and they have yet to ?make a mess? of my garden. In fact, some mornings I look out of my window and they?re cuddled up next to my cats! Those who see foxes as vermin are just that to me ? vermin.

Have a nice day y?all! :)

[Adidas_guy]

A couple of years ago a fox climbed into the ground floor window of a flat. Luckily the bedroom door was closed and the baby was in another room. Please do not feed foxes, they are cute when young but very unpleasant as they get older.

[SnakeFilth]

Ronnijade Wrote:

> And one more thing! We?ve had foxes visiting our

> garden for years, and I?ve lived in the same house

> for 23 years and they have yet to ?make a mess? of

> my garden. In fact, some mornings I look out of my

> window and they?re cuddled up next to my cats!

Highly unlikely. This may have been the case in the childrens book 'animals of farthing wood', but not in reality. Please try to not confuse the two.

[exdulwicher]

A tin of dog food once a week or so (especially during the winter months) is a nice treat for them and for you to see them up close. Any more than that and they tend to get dependent plus you risk inviting other less welcome guests like rats.

Don't give them cooked chicken carcass, the bones can splinter and cause serious injury.

Clear up the bowls / any uneaten food promptly and it'll be fine.

[DulwichFox]

Rats will not come nearby if there are Foxes about.

Foxes kill and eat rats and mice..

[Ronnijade]

It?s nice to weed out the weird animal haters with threads like these.

[Mark]

Someone suggesting that you don't feed urban foxes doesn't make them a weird animal hater.

[Beulah]

trolls - just like foxes - shouldn't be fed ;-)

[fishbiscuits]

NO

[Countrlass22]

No.. Because they are a wild animal I love animals.

They depend on hunting if feed them they do stop hunting.

Once your away they lose food source from you and other foxes take over there old hunt territory.

This makes them vulnerable to starve.

Wild for reas they can look after themselves.

They will wander go to where food is.

Watch them by all means. But be kind by letting them stay wild

That's kindest thing to do.

[Ronnijade]

Guys, I understand the concern of them becoming dependent on food from me but surely leaving something out ONCE a week won?t make them become dependent...

Thanks for all of the opinions but I?ve done enough research now and I?m going to be leaving a treat out for

them, again, PERIODICALLY, so they don?t get used to it.