As August is finally here, social media has been flooded with people asking how to make their gardens more welcoming for the shy animals, with one fox fan even considering building them their own home.
According to the RSPCA, one of the easiest ways to encourage foxes to stop by is by leaving tinned cat or dog food, as it’s packed with the protein they need.
The animal charity says foxes are omnivores, meaning they eat a varied diet that includes meat, insects, fruit and plants.
While they are perfectly capable of finding food themselves, an occasional meal can help them – as long as it’s offered responsibly.
The advice comes after one Reddit user asked whether it would be a good idea to build a shelter for a family of foxes living at the bottom of their garden.
They wrote: “I’ve had a resident family of foxes live at the back of my garden for many years now and was wondering if it would be a good idea to build them a sort of little house to live in.
“It would mostly be a fun project to do, but is this a stupid idea for any reasons I’m missing? Would this do more harm than good? Would they just not care about it at all?”
If you’d rather simply tempt foxes into your garden, the RSPCA recommends leaving out small amounts of tinned cat or dog food.
Other ways to encourage foxes in your garden
You can also offer fruit including blueberries, cherries, apples, figs and pears. However, treats such as cheese and peanuts should only be given occasionally, as foxes can be lactose intolerant.
The charity also recommends speaking to your neighbours before putting food out, explaining that foxes are naturally shy, mostly active at night and are unlikely to pose a threat to people or pets.
Do not feed them dangerous foods
There are also a few foods that should never be left out.
The RSPCA warns against feeding foxes grapes or raisins, which are toxic, while meat bones should also be avoided because they can cause choking or serious internal injuries.
It’s also important not to leave out too much food, as foxes should never become dependent on humans for meals.
Likewise, junk food and sugary treats should be avoided, as they don’t provide the nutrition the animals need.
Finally, while it may be tempting to get close, the RSPCA says foxes should never be hand-fed, as encouraging them to become too tame could put them at risk in the future.