Foxes and catflaps

aunt_sal

Can foxes get through catflaps?

Our young cat was killed by a fox recently.

Apparently the idea that cats are hunted by foxes is a myth. It was suggested that perhaps he was run over and then a fox got him.

But we think the fox actually killed Jerry because the surviving brother, Ben, has been very traumatised since it happened 2 weeks ago - ie Ben hardly ever goes into the garden now and looks very carefully out of the window all the time

There is a rather territorial looking fox in our garden and we're worried he will get though the catflap (which is a broken petporte one ie open) to get at the food, and Ben !

Do foxes ever do this? I don't want to change the catflap unnecessarily - it would be the third time we've done it within a few months

any comments really appreciated

thanks

picklepick

Foxes have been known to come in through cat flaps yes. If you are concerned I would board it up for now until you can repair it. My mum had a rather nasty fox that came in her garden but her cat was massive and we once saw him chase the fox off.
I'd keep your cat in at night though if I were you.

Fridaycat

So sorry to hear of the loss of your kitten

I have always kept my cats in at night as there are too many dangers out there - greater risk of traffic accidents (though not where I live) and the greater risk of getting into trouble with other animals such as foxes and feral cats.

I agree with the previous poster and would board up your cat flap, especially as it seems Ben is not interested in using it, this will make him feel much more secure in his own territory.

aunt_sal

Thanks guys. That's a great idea about boarding up

The thing I'm worried about is daytime aswell ie when we're all out. So i guess I'll have to fix the petporte thing - again !

The strange thing about Jerry's death is that he and Ben were rescue cats and pretty wild. We've only just got them to the stage where they can be stroked while walking by... They are both big lads now and were expert fighters - used to entertain us with epic play fights. So I'm really surprised that a fox managed to get him. They just used to stare at the fox whenever he emeregd. Perhaps he didnt realise it was dangerous and let it get too close?

Fridaycat

I have 5 cats and don't have a cat flap at all for two reasons: firstly, I like to be in control of when my cats are in and out (e.g. in at night); and secondly because I don't want unwelcome visitors such as other cats coming inside our house as this can cause all sorts of issues such as territorial spraying etc.

So it is possible to get by without them

This is how it works for us:

The two Bengal kittens are only allowed supervised access outside anyway, so are always in when we are out.

Friday is getting on a bit now and is much more content to sit inside in the warm all day, and will venture out only occasionally, especially at this time of year.

My two strapping boys - Harry and Robbie - do have unrestricted access outside during daytime hours as they wish. They always go out in the morning, and if myself/husband are around (we don't work conventional hours), they come and go as they please. If we are both due to be out all day, and the two cats are outside, they are called just before we leave the house - if they come in, they stay in all day, if they are out, they stay out all day (with access to food/water bowls).
I find in this weather they are more likely to come in, whereas in the summer they are happier outside.

ariba10

Foxes are like cats, in that they will kill for the pure pleasure it gives them.

Not like most predators that only kill for food.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I reckon the car accident theory is more likely to be correct. Humans kill for entertainment. Not animals. They kill for defence, for food and through instinct. They don't, contrary to the Jaws films, harbour grudges and hunt down the descendants of a particular Nemesis, either.



However, the issue of any unwanted animal coming into the house - including other cats, rats or foxes - is a different one that needs to be sorted. Fix the cat flap or board it up. Having it open is probably causing your remaining cat no end of stress in itself. And he could very easily have met a bigger, tougher cat, an abusive human with an air rifle or he just doesn't fancy going out in this weather.

Itismehonest

Sorry to say but, yes, foxes can get through catflaps & will kill for pleasure.
If you have a "rogue" fox they will come any time day or night. They often follow a set path &, if they've had success once, will return looking for more.

Mayflower10cat

Neighbours here had a young fox coming in at night through their catflap and stealing cat biscuits. They are opportunists and next doors cats just kept well out of the way (asleep on their bed).

In our last house one of our cats chased off a young fox in daylight across the field. I mentioned this story to our vet and she said well done that cat, but that she was reasonably sure her parents elderly cat has been killed by a fox - she'd done a necropsy for them and checked out their garden and various bits of evidence pointed to an attack by a fox or very similar animal. So, these days I'm a bit more wary about foxes than I was and the cats are shut in at night and the flap locked and blocked.

aunt_sal

Thanks everyone for your comments

I will def fix that catflap !