Whereas a Dog will Chase a Cat, as Dogs have throughout the ages, generally neither the Dog or Cat gets injured in the pursuit. The Cat usually escapes, or climbs to safety where the Dog can’t go, then each go back to their normal routines. Both the Cat and the Dog, although seemingly mortal enemies, can still live in semi-harmony, and in some homes, Cats and Dogs live happily side by side. Both are domesticated creatures, and both are probably well fed by their respective owners, so the chase of the Dog after the Cat is ultimately more for fun for the Dog, or an instinctive drive to attack a trespasser, rather than a drive to satiate pangs of hunger.
Foxes though, although a member of the Dog family, are wild animals, and in the wild there is no steady supply of ready-mixed food in a bowl each day. A Fox has to go out and find its own dinner. Urban Foxes are still wild creatures, but urban Foxes enter and live in, or near, areas where humans live, attracted by the easy meals that can be made of the food waste of humans, and taking advantage of the food some humans will leave out purposely to feed them.
Foxes are carnivores and they do attack domestic Cats, but it is rare for them to make a meal of one. They are more likely to prey on other small animals such as Mice and Rabbits. Foxes will also eat carrion, so if they happen to see a dead Cat, they may eat it – but this is not their preferred food source.
Will a Fox Kill a Domestic Cat?
The short answer is yes, if a fox is hungry enough. Foxes are opportunistic and will eat any animal they can get their hands on. Foxes are not natural predators of Cats, but they do prey upon them when the opportunity arises. If the Cat is injured or weak, or is a young Cat or Kitten, a Fox may take the opportunity, especially in times when food is scarce or it has cubs to feed.
Are Cats Afraid of Foxes?
Do Cats fear Foxes? The answer is yes. Foxes are predators and they have been known to attack them. In fact, there are many cases where Foxes have attacked and killed Cats. A Cat would prefer to run to safety rather than get in a confrontation with a Fox. A Cat though, will fiercely fight for its life if it found itself cornered with no escape. And if a Fox doesn’t know this, then it will soon learn, that making a meal of a Cat will be no easy meal.
There are many stories on the internet that talk about how a Cat has attacked a Fox or how a Fox has attacked a Cat. It’s not uncommon for people to see these animals fighting with each other in their backyards or neighborhoods.
The question is, who will win in this fight? The answer is that it depends on the size of the Cat and the size of the Fox. If one of them is bigger than the other, or one is injured or weaker, then the strongest will likely win because they have more power than their opponent. These fights though, are not usually fought to the death. One of the combatants will finally decide enough is enough and turn and run. These fights are probably more about squabbles over territory rather than the Fox looking for a meal.
Going after a Cat is not the best choice a Fox could make, and the Fox knows that, or will learn fast. Cats can adequately defend themselves, and the Fox knows it risks injury taking down a Cat, rather than opting for easier prey like a Chicken or Rabbit.
See Also: Do Domestic Cats Kill Rabbits?
And: Will a Domestic Cat Attack a Human Baby?
How Do You Get Rid of a Fox in Your Backyard?
There are many different ways that you can get rid of foxes from your backyard. Some of these ways include:
– Mending broken fencing and raising the height of fencing may keep the fox from accessing your property.
– Try to make the area seem less attractive to them by removing anything they might eat in the area and making sure there is no water or food around. Keep any rubbish, especially food waste, in secure bins they can’t get access to.
– You could also try spraying the area with predator urine so that they will avoid the area. Predator urine is an olfactory repellent that will fool the Fox into thinking other larger and dangerous animals, that should be avoided, are in the vicinity.
– You could also try using sound deterrents such as barking dogs or loud noises to scare them away.
Eventually, when the Fox comes to realise there is no easy meal to be had here, then it will look elsewhere.
Featured image: An Urban Fox
