Fox in the catflap?

[Beanmistriss]

My mother in law wants to get a cat but would need to put in catflap. Her son - who is a bit odd - is trying to put her off saying that she can't have one cos a fox might go in the catflap and into the house. Would this happen?

[RATTER15]

Biggest lot of nonsense I ever heard, lol. Being a pest controller I in a countryside environment has involved me in fox problems many times but never through a cat flap

[Beanmistriss]

Thats what I said too but thought I would check then I could quite safley proclaim he is speaking sh1t@. Thanks

[chilihead]

It might not happen in a rural environment, but it can and does happen in towns and cities - albeit occasionally.

See under "Should I feed the foxes"
http://www.hastings.gov.uk/animal_nuisance/fox es.aspx

I think it depends on the surroundings, how many foxes, how much available food for them, how tame etc I live in a two story block of flats in a city that backs onto a park, and foxes are very frequent and confident. There are metal fire escape stairs leading up from the flats gardens to balconies of all the flats and the foxes have learnt (probably by neighbours throwing food out to them from their balconies) to climb the stairs in search of food scraps from BBQ's etc and they do sniff around my neighbours cat flap. They have even chased her cat up the two flights of stairs, although thankfully haven't actually followed it through the cat flap - yet!!! We used to have open bins but recently changed to lidded wheely bins so the foxes have lost a scavenge place. I guess hunger might have made them braver too - its only recently we have noticed them climbing the stairs. So,in answer to your question, its definitely possible!

[Noweia]

I've seen a labrador squeeze through a catflap, so a smaller fox would definitely fit!

Whether they will or not depends on what foxes you have in your area - as chilihead says, some foxes may be bold enough to try, but most won't.

[Sammy Snake]

Get a magnetic catflap, the cat wears a small magnet on it's collar that opens the flap. There can't be many foxes wearing them so it should definately keep them out!

[Beanmistriss]

Eeeek! Ok we might have to be going with the magnetic catflap idea methinks. Thanks