Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Updated:
Foods That are Ok.
- Eggs – cooked or raw; can be offered in the shell.
- Turkey and chicken – high in taurine; can be fed raw or cooked (no cooked bones).
- Oily fish such as sardines – great for coat health; salmon oil can also be added to meals.
- Goat’s milk only (do not give cow’s milk).
- Dog food – acceptable as part of the diet but should not be the only food due to low taurine.
- Bread with jam or peanut butter (must be xylitol-free) as an occasional treat; useful for hiding medications.
- Small amounts of cheese as an occasional treat only.
- Commercial dry fox/badger food (available on Amazon).
- Quail, Mice, Rats cooked or raw ( No Cooked Bones)
- Duck cooked or raw ( No Cooked Bones)
- Rabbit cooked or raw (No Cooked Bones)
Avoid Feeding
- Cat food – nutritionally inappropriate for foxes despite high taurine.
- Grapes, raisins, garlic, onions, chives, green potatoes.
- Macadamia nuts, walnuts.
- Chocolate.
- Raw salmon.
- Anything excessively salty.
Kit Care
Neccessities
Current Diet: Your kit is eating canned dog food mixed with Esbilac puppy formula. Aim for a soft “ham-salad” consistency.
Esbilac Mixing: Mix at a 1:2 ratio—one scoop of powder to two scoops of warm bottled water. Bottled water is recommended to keep the formula consistent and gentle on their stomach.
Lamb Milk Replacer Option: If using lamb milk replacer, follow the bag’s instructions. Most brands use a 1:3 ratio (one scoop powder to three scoops warm bottled water). The correct ratio prevents diarrhea.
Feeding Amount: Pour approximately 3–4 ounces of the mixed milk over the canned dog food for each feeding.
Water Temperature: Never use hot water. Warm water is ideal; most babies refuse cold formula and it can upset their stomach.
Feeding Frequency: Kits at this age typically eat three times per day. Younger kits may require more frequent meals—for example, a 4-week-old may need four feedings daily, while a 7-week-old usually does well on three.
Preventing Food Aggression: Feed your kit in your lap. Place a towel down, set the baby on it, and gently spoon-feed the mixture. As they grow, lightly stroke their back during meals to help with desensitization.
Introducing New Foods: Add new foods slowly by mixing small amounts into the canned food and formula or placing them beside the meal. Suitable first foods include canned chicken, scrambled eggs, finely diced watermelon, apples, strawberries, blueberries, unsweetened applesauce, and thawed mixed vegetables. Always cut foods into tiny pieces. Fox kits tend to inhale food quickly, increasing the risk of choking.
Kibble Transition: You may begin adding dry kibble, but soak it in the formula mixture until completely soft. This makes it safer and easier for your kit to eat without choking.
Juvenile and Adult Feeding
Adult foxes thrive on a varied diet. A good-quality dog food can serve as the base, paired with a protein source, vegetables, and small amounts of fruit. Variety helps ensure balanced nutrition and keeps meals interesting.
Protein Options: Excellent protein sources include chicken, eggs (hardboiled, scrambled, or raw with crushed shell), deer, quail, Mice, Rats, rabbit, gizzards, livers, fish, quail, pheasant, and other lean meats. Insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, superworms, and mealworms can also be offered as enrichment.
Seasonal Feeding: What you feed may depend on local availability. For example, if you hunt or have access to wild game, deer and game birds can be included when in season. Chickens, eggs, livers, and gizzards can be fed year-round if you raise your own or have a steady supply.
Raw vs. Processed: Many owners choose to feed raw meats—bones included. This is a personal choice. Raw bones can be nutritious, but they also carry a risk of intestinal puncture. If you prefer a safer approach, consider grinding the meat and bones before feeding.
Taurine Requirement: Taurine is vital for proper bone development, muscle function, and overall health. Adult foxes typically need around 500 mg of taurine per day. Some dog foods already contain taurine, while raw meats naturally supply it. You can also supplement with powdered or liquid taurine, which is widely available online.