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Fox as a pet. How to care for a pet fox

The Fennec fox is a very popular animal recently, which is often kept at home. You can learn about all the secrets of the content from the article.

Many people are interested - can a little Fenech, who lives in the wild, become the favorite of the whole family at home? The answer to this question is positive. But before you get a fox, you need to have an idea of how to care for it, how to feed it, and what conditions it needs. You will also have to find out in advance how this animal behaves at home, what it needs for normal existence and development.

Domestic Fennec fox: description

fennec is a miniature animal that belongs to the genus of foxes in the canine family. The animal, if translated from Arabic, is called “fox”. But the scientific name of the animal is “dry fox.”
It is from this that you can understand where exactly the animal lives. Places where the fox is found: the desert of the Arabian Peninsula, as well as in many regions of Africa.
To this day, there is a dispute between scientists - can this animal be called a “fox”? Since the behavior of the animal, its body structure differs from other varieties of foxes.
fennec does not have the musk glands that other foxes have. She does not like to live alone; this animal is considered social.

Fennec fox is a small animal. It has the following distinctive body features:

Chanterelle even smaller than a house cat. The height at the withers is no more than 22 cm. The animal’s body is maximum 40 cm long. But the fox’s tail is long, sometimes reaching the same size as the whole body. Fenech's weight is no more than 1 kg 500 g.

has a pointed muzzle

The animal's ears are large. They can be up to 15 cm in height. But nature did not give these ears to the fox for luxury. Thanks to them, the animal can hear any smallest rustle, and therefore never misses its own prey.
Fenech can be without water for a long time. But at the same time, the fox must always have food that contains liquid. The main feature of Fenech’s behavior is the possibility Jump in length up to 1 m 20 cm, in height - up to 70 cm.

Fenech Fox: care and maintenance at home

perfectly amenable to taming. It is easy to maintain; with normal care at home, a fox can even give birth to offspring.
If you pay attention to the little animal, raise it correctly, and tame it at home, the animal will become obedient. But there are some difficulties in keeping a fox.
You will have to purchase a large cage or create a separate room with sand on the floor. There the fox will dig a hole for himself.
Long, difficult period training Fenech to litter box. If you do not change the sand on time, there may be a bad smell in the house.
Sometimes it is very difficult to find a specialist who can treat this exotic animal.
Fox Fennec, like a pet, requires special attention. Due to its easy-going nature, the animal easily gets along with any inhabitants of the home and with other pets.

But we all know that fox- This is a nocturnal inhabitant, therefore, at night her instinct of a real hunter awakens. The animal digs holes in the dark, runs around rooms, and sweeps away everything in its path.
Make sure that the animal has enough space or even a separate room where the fox will feel comfortable.

Drafts and low room temperatures can be dangerous for your pet. Colds are difficult for foxes to tolerate and cannot always be cured. Therefore, give the animal the necessary vaccinations so that it does not develop an infectious disease.

Feeding the Fennec fox

In nature, in the wild fennec fox prefers to eat small animals and insects. The diet also contains roots and herbs that grow mainly in the desert.
In natural conditions, Fenech eats locusts, beetles, lizards, birds and their eggs, rodents and other small animals. And the fox eats plants only in small quantities. Conclusion: The animal's diet consists mainly of protein foods.
At home, you should follow the same dietary rules. If you feed your pet incorrectly, various health problems may arise. The fox's body is built in such a way that it does not process a lot of plant fiber. Keep this in mind, and do not forget, if you give the animal a lot of plant food, it will have problems with digestion.

In addition, this cute animal has weak jaws and small teeth that are adapted for chewing insects. The animal's nutrition will be closer to its natural diet, and it will feel and develop better. But if the animal’s diet lacks small mammals and insects, it may develop liver disease.
Your fox should eat every day mealworms, crickets and other insects in large numbers.
Give your fox lean meat in its raw state all the time. If possible, give small mice.
Additional Fenech food – vegetables(fresh or frozen). The maximum serving is 2 tsp per day. Please note that the animal should not be given corn, carrots, or grains. The fox's body does not digest such food well.

Give fruits in minimal quantities. The animal should receive some treats.
Dried fruits(figs or dates) will definitely please the fox. She will also love cherries.
But don't forget that Fenech's main diet should consist only of meat products. The animal needs a diet that contains a lot of protein.
Keep an eye on the animal's feces. If your fox constantly eats grains and vegetables, you will notice undigested particles of these products in the feces.
If you have doubts about the animal’s nutrition, you think that it receives few vitamins and minerals, let’s fox Vionate. You need to give vitamins only 2 times a week.
Also add to your diet taurine, which is available in capsules. Open one capsule and add the powder to vegetables or worms. Give it like the previous drug.

How to litter train a Fennec fox?

A miniature fox, as a rule, lives in a separate room or in a large cage. If you want to train your pet to use a litter box, you will definitely succeed, but some difficulties cannot be ruled out. Sometimes “misses” can happen, especially if the pet is in an excited state.
There are some animal owners who taught them to walk fennec fox on the diaper. You can use this method if your pet will be constantly in one place.
Who is better to buy? girl or boy Fennec? What role do spaying and neutering play?

If you take a female, then after sterilization her character does not change at all. The same cannot be said about males. They become calm and affectionate.
Males are by nature more obedient than females. The latter, as a rule, are shy and very nimble. When accustoming a female to the tray, keep in mind that after sterilization, the animal’s urine becomes less pungent in smell.

How does the Fennec fox play?

These foxes are quite talkative. They make sounds reminiscent of a dog barking. Also fennec foxes They can “purr”, sometimes growl, even snarl. Fennec foxes sometimes make beautiful sounds, similar to birdsong. They do this at night.
The fox periodically howls pitifully, whines, and grumbles when she wants to play, have fun, and communicate. If you come home and call Fenech to play, the animal will begin to squeal loudly with pleasure.
At night the fox loves to make noise. Therefore, give her a room located away from the bedroom. There are also quiet individuals. They are able to make calm sounds when greeting their owner in the morning.

Many owners let Fenech out of the cage at night so that the animal can walk around the apartment. But it's better not to do this. An unattended fox grabs everything in its mouth, so it can choke.
Also, the fox often tries to play with its owners and scratch itself with sharp claws.
But there are Fennec cats that can adapt to the owner’s daily routine. At night they sleep.

If you buy a Fennec fox, you can easily train it to play only during the day. Take care of your pet during the day, in the evening, and play with him. You will notice that by night the animal will run out of energy and the pet will want to sleep. This way, over time, you will teach him to play and lead an active lifestyle only during the day.

If a fox is constantly alone, it barks. There are also individuals who never do this. They can make sounds that resemble yelps.
Fenech can yap when excited (while walking outside, when playing with the owner, and so on).

Fennec Fox: walking outside

If you periodically walk your fox on the street, she will be happy to accompany you. You just have to understand that if an animal gets too cold, it can get sick. Therefore, during cold weather (autumn, winter), leave fennec fox Houses.
If you are with a pet walk in the summer Be sure to take him out on a harness; you should not wear a collar. Fenech will break out of it, and therefore the animal can run far. In addition, you may encounter a situation where a small tug can damage your pet's neck.

While walking, carefully keep an eye on the animal. Dogs that walk on the street can cause aggression in Fenech. Therefore, walk the fox early in the morning or late in the evening.

Fennec fox and other pets

Fox Fennec- This is an animal that can get along with other pets. The fox will not make friends with those individuals that it can eat.
Fenech loves to play with dogs and cats. But sometimes foxes may not share the interests of these animals. Yes, she will get along with them, but it is better not to leave the fox alone with these animals.
Hamsters, rats, domestic and outdoor birds will not be friends with Fenech - they will be excellent for the fox booty. Therefore, if there are birds and rodents in the apartment, it is better for Fenech not to meet them.

Fennec fox at home: advantages, disadvantages

From descriptions and characteristics fennec foxes, which were described above, only one conclusion suggests itself - keeping an animal at home has its pros and cons.

Advantages

The fox is considered a decorative, exotic animal.
The animal is active and loves to play.
It is easy to care for.
Fenech is not picky when it comes to nutrition.
Gets along with many pets.
If you care for a fox properly, it can live up to 15 years.

Flaws

Fenech is relatively expensive. You will have to spend a considerable amount at the first stage of the animal’s development.
In order to tame a fox, you need a lot of time, patience, and effort.
Fennec fox sometimes marks its own territory.
The animal is often active at night.
Often throws things around the house.
It is difficult to find a doctor for an exotic animal if it is sick.
There are aggressive individuals.
If there is a small one in the house child, fennec fox can't start.

Fenech Fox at home: reviews

As a rule, many owners claim that It’s possible to have a Fennec fox at home. It only takes time for the animal to get used to home conditions.

Marina: “Many people are worried about whether this wild animal can be kept at home? Yes, you can. The fox does not pose a danger to other household members. But it will take time to accustom your pet to order. To begin with, we accustomed the fox to us, then to our dog. Then we decided to teach Fenech to go to the toilet in a litter tray and behave calmly at home. We spent several months on this. One huge plus, thanks to which you don’t regret spending time - keeping Fenech is a great pleasure.”
Sergey: “If you decide to get this animal, evaluate your own capabilities. The animal needs its own doctor at least to get a rabies vaccination. Also keep in mind that raising a Fenech is a challenging task. It is necessary to accustom your pet to the tray, to walk during the day, but not at night. You will face many difficulties, but it will be worth it.”
Svetlana: “Fenech is a beautiful, sweet fox. The animal is affectionate and kind. But for Fenech to get used to you, it will take a lot of time. You should also know that foxes often dig minks. If you do not make a room with sand for it, the animal may build a house under the bed or in the closet. The fox has wild habits, so try to create appropriate conditions for it.”

Video: Eared animal

On a lonely and sad evening, you sat down and thought about how great it would be if there was some kind of animal nearby. Preferably unusual and funny, but at the same time loyal and loving. You remembered that foxes belong to the canine family, and dogs are the most loyal friends. Then you thought that it would be great to have a fox next to you - it’s beautiful, unusual, and warm in your soul. But questions, questions languished in your head and did not let you sleep: where to buy? What is the price? Can I keep it at home? Should I go for a walk with her? TVR has heard your thoughts and is answering your questions.

Is it even possible to keep a fox at home?

It is possible, but not all of them. We interviewed a dozen fox owners and those who keep them on their property.

Everyone agrees on one thing - you can keep a domestic fox in the house, but not a domesticated one.

To make the difference clearer, let’s explain: a domestic fox is one that was bred specifically to be kept in an apartment. She is tame, non-aggressive and easy to train. A domesticated fox is one that was brought from the forest and kept in conditions familiar to us.

Many not the most honest breeders sell puppies of domesticated foxes under the guise of domestic ones. Alas, such a purchase will cost you, although cheaper, but more painful. Sooner or later, the animal will begin to show its instincts, attack others, scream at night and literally go crazy from the fact that it is cramped.

By the way, real domestic foxes appeared quite recently - in 2011. The breed was bred at the Novosibirsk Institute of Cytology and Genetics.

Price issue

You can rummage through the advertisements and find an Arctic fox, unusual even for foxes. A puppy of this breed is worth it too 15 thousand rubles .

In Vladivostok, advertisements for the sale of foxes appear very rarely. At the time of publication, we managed to find only one - about the sale of two one-year-old foxes, which were once purchased for breeding. Judging by the photographs, the animal is domesticated, as evidenced by the words of the seller:

The male does not allow anyone to stroke him, only my son. They take treats from their hands. We feed him premium dry food, and additionally give him chicken, apples, berries, cabbage... At home they go to the litter box. It is advisable to keep it in an enclosure.

How to live with her?

Foxes have a very specific character - they are loyal, like dogs, and independent, like cats. Therefore, the process of “getting along” with the animal will take a long period.

In general, they are playful and trusting, so you will make friends quickly.

But the moment when you stop “quarreling” on everyday grounds cannot be precisely determined. It is known that a fox will take root in your house faster if there is already an animal there. For example, a cat or a dog. Experienced owners say that they develop very good friendships.

It is worth buying a leash for the fox and taking it outside from time to time. It is not necessary to do this as often as if you had a dog; it is enough to accustom the fox to the tray.

By the way, they are easy to train.

However, while walking, watch the animal as carefully as possible! A careless fox may begin to grab glass and other dangerous objects with its teeth. However, dogs also suffer from this during puppyhood. Don't worry about food - foxes are omnivores and happily eat both animal and plant products. Many breeders simply feed the animal dog food.

And finally, a video about how a fox lives in a house:

Foxes are found in all climatic zones of the planet, even in deserts and in the Arctic Circle. They belong to the same biological family as dogs. Of all the species of wild foxes, the most prone to domestication are the black and brown fox, the common red fox, and the desert fennec fox. Although they are closely related to dogs, their habits, diet and needs differ from those of ordinary pets. Therefore, keeping them at home is associated with certain difficulties and caring for them is much more difficult than for dogs.

Show all

Types of tamable foxes

There are usually only three types of foxes kept in captivity:

View	Photo
Common Red	Red fox
Black-brown	Black and brown fox
Desert fennec fox	Desert fennec fox

Features of keeping foxes at home

Regardless of what type of fox has settled in human housing, the animal needs to create an imitation of natural conditions and provide proper care. For a domestic fox you need:

A good veterinarian who will agree to take care of such a pet: give timely vaccinations, monitor its health.
A blood test twice a year in a veterinary clinic, based on the results of which the composition of the feed is adjusted.
Permission for the presence of an animal in an apartment or house, since in some countries there is a ban on keeping wild animals at home.
The enclosure is made of durable material of sufficient height to make cleaning convenient. The animal is locked in it while the owners are away. Considering that all foxes love to chew and dig, the cage should be made entirely of metal.
In the enclosure you should make a den like a hole where the animal can hide.
For toileting, a dog tray with sawdust or litter is usually used.
Remove easily breakable objects from the fox's reach if she is allowed to walk around the apartment. At the same time, you need to understand that she can jump high and climb heights in a way that dogs cannot, being heavier than a cat.

Main difficulties

It is necessary to take into account the fact that a wild animal, no matter how it is tamed, cannot change its genetics and the information contained in it. Therefore, a fox will always be capable of “wild” acts, no matter how well-mannered and affectionate it may be: while playing, it can inflict a serious bite, which will take a long time to heal. It follows from this that it is safer for a family with children to have a dog or cat. In addition, foxes always remember an insult. If an owner punishes a pet for misbehavior, he will forever undermine the wild animal's trust and harm their relationship. There are no exceptions.

During a walk, the pet must be wearing a collar with a tag and the owner’s information, so that if the owner escapes, his animal will be returned.

At the same time, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will meet dogs on walks, including hunting breeds, which will definitely react to the sight and smell of game.

You can allow the animal to move freely around the yard or around the house in the presence of a person and only if the fence in the yard is strong enough, reliable and goes into the ground at least 80 cm: foxes love to dig and are able to get out into the wild by doing move under the fence. Burrowing animals, which include foxes, generally have a very developed digging instinct. Therefore, when kept in an apartment, they will try to dig everything: the floor, sofas, pillows. They can be limited in this, but it is impossible to wean them off.

In addition, foxes are nocturnal animals, so you will have to put up with their way of life or retrain them for a long time and patiently.

A wild animal will always pose a threat and danger to the pets that are already in the house.

In addition to the listed dangers, keeping a fox also causes a lot of minor troubles:

Cases often occur when a fox cannot be trained to go to the toilet in a tray. Then you need to look for an alternative: sprinkle the floor in the enclosure with sawdust, special filler or sand.
When kept in an apartment, windows and doors must always be closed or have a particularly strong mesh with a wire diameter of at least 1 mm. The animal will not miss the opportunity to get out, and the mosquito net on the window is not a barrier for it.
After the animal has eaten, it will try to hide the remaining food in a secluded place and mark them. You can't wean yourself off this.
The smell from an adult animal and from its litter tray is always pungent and unpleasant. This is a natural smell, and it will be almost impossible to remove it with dog shampoos - just to weaken it a little.
All objects available to the animal will be tested by its teeth. Even an abundance of toys will not save you from this.
If the pet does not take root in the house and becomes an unbearable burden, releasing it into the forest will be tantamount to murder. A domesticated fox will not survive in the wild: it has not developed the survival skills necessary for a wild animal. You can give it to another person, but the animal will not be able to get used to the new owner - it will not accept a stranger.
During the mating season, foxes behave very restlessly and actively, not like domestic animals: they often and loudly howl and scream, and only at night. Therefore, you will definitely have to sterilize your pet or look for a mate for it.

Nutrition

The main diet of a predator should be protein. But in their natural environment, foxes eat small quantities of berries, plant roots, and wild fruits, from which animals obtain vitamins. To balance the animal’s food at home, its menu should include:

Chicken, beef, any other lean meat. It is cut into pieces and doused with boiling water.
By-products: heart, kidneys, liver, tendons, cow tripe, bird heads, etc.
Boiled fish without bones.
Fermented milk products; for fox cubs - fresh milk.
Cereal porridge or flour made from barley, wheat, peas.
Waste from flour milling and oil production added to feed: bran, cake, meal.
Eggs.
Fruits without seeds or seeds: apples, pears, plums, etc.
Vegetables crushed into puree and added to the main food: carrots, cabbage, beets.
Garden and forest berries: strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blueberries.
Premium dry or wet dog food.

Vitamin supplements in the animal's diet

In addition to the main food, it is necessary to give vitamins found in:

Yeast (group B).
Fish oil (groups A, D).
Bone meal.

Harmful Products

Some seemingly harmless food products can cause diseases of vital organs or even the death of a pet. It is not recommended to feed:

Bread. In extreme cases, you can give it dried and only black.
The following types of fish: blue whiting, hake, pollock, hake, pollock.
Pork.
Sausages.
Some types of fruits: plum, peach, persimmon, citrus.
Confectionery products.
Fat collected after frying meat.
Yeast dough.
Fish, boiled or poultry bones.
Potatoes, peppers, avocado, mushrooms, broccoli.
Iron-containing vitamin complexes for people.

Foxes are prone to overeating and obesity. It is advisable to feed them in small portions and at least 3 times a day.

On a lonely and sad evening, you sat down and thought about how great it would be if there was some kind of animal nearby. Preferably unusual and funny, but at the same time loyal and loving. You remembered that foxes belong to the canine family, and dogs are the most loyal friends. Then you thought that it would be great to have a fox next to you - it’s beautiful, unusual, and warm in your soul. But questions languished in your head and did not let you sleep? Where to buy? What is the price? Can I keep it at home? Should I go for a walk with her? TVR has heard your thoughts and is answering your questions.

Is it even possible to keep foxes at home?

It is possible, but not all of them. We interviewed a dozen fox owners and those who keep them on their property.

Everyone agrees on one thing - you can keep a domestic fox in the house, but not a domesticated one.

To make the difference clearer, we explain: a domestic fox is one that was bred specifically to be kept in an apartment. She is tame, non-aggressive and easy to train. A domesticated fox is one that was brought from the forest and kept in conditions familiar to us.

By the way, real domestic foxes appeared quite recently - in 2011. The breed was bred at the Novosibirsk Institute of Cytology and Genetics.

Price issue

Domesticated fox cubs can be adopted at a relatively low price - 15 thousand rubles. You can rummage through the advertisements and find an Arctic fox, unusual even for foxes. A puppy of this breed also costs 15 thousand rubles.

The male does not allow anyone to stroke him, only my son. They take treats from their hands. We feed him premium dry food, and additionally give him chicken, apples, berries, cabbage... At home they go to the litter box. It is advisable to keep it in an enclosure.

How to live with her?

Foxes have a very specific character - they are loyal, like dogs, and independent, like cats. Therefore, the process of “getting along” with the animal will take a long period.

In general, they are playful and trusting, so you will make friends quickly.

But the moment when you stop “quarreling” on everyday grounds cannot be precisely determined. It is known that a fox will take root in your home faster if you already have an animal. For example, a cat or a dog. Experienced owners say that they develop very good friendships.

It is worth buying a leash for the fox and taking it outside from time to time. It is not necessary to do this as often as if you had a dog; it is enough to accustom the fox to the tray.

By the way, they are easy to train.

And finally, a video about how a fox lives in a house.

Today, to the question of what kind of pet you would like to have, you can hear different answers. Someone dreams of a dog (find out), someone dreams of a hamster, and someone is not against having in their house, well, not a pet at all. Let's say, for example, a fox. Children and teenagers especially dream about this. But are foxes suitable for keeping at home? Is it worth having a fox cub in your house, since, as we remind you, he is still a predator?

Our publication today will tell you about all the features of keeping foxes at home. Well, you can draw your own conclusions about whether to have a red-haired “sister” in your home...

Fox as a pet

Biological classification places foxes in the family Canidae and Canidae. But keeping a fox or a dog in your house is far from the same thing. Yes, and, despite all the attempts to domesticate foxes made by zoologists and other specialists, these creatures still did not become domesticated. Although, experts today claim that, according to many of their behavioral traits, foxes are in many ways similar to domestic cats and dogs. But don’t rush to the conclusion that since theoretically a fox can be tamed, then in practice you won’t encounter any difficulties. Although the behavioral traits were similar, only animals that were obedient, easy to relate to, and inquisitive were amenable to domestication and socialization. You are unlikely to be able to accurately evaluate a fox cub that you saw in a cardboard box at the market using these criteria. Therefore, think carefully again before deciding to adopt a wild animal as a pet.

If, despite our warning, you still decide to get a fox cub, you should be aware that this is a rather dangerous animal. Both for you and for your children, and even more so for other pets. Therefore, friendship is friendship, and the fox will have to live in a cage or enclosure.
You will also need to legally document the fact of her residence - the fact is that many countries prohibit keeping wild animals at home.
And, of course, you will need to think in advance about finding a good veterinarian who would agree to take care of such an unusual patient, give him vaccinations and monitor his health.

We won’t talk about such things as the specific smell of a fox that will be in your house, the high probability that you can bring a sick animal into your house, which can infect you and your household members - this is already obvious. And, by and large, the fox has nothing to do with it, it’s just that it’s not really a pet... If you think otherwise, protect yourself as much as possible, first of all, take the fox to the veterinarian, treat it with fleas and worms...

Where is the best place to keep a fox at home?

So, if you are still planning to get a fox cub (only an experienced trainer can handle an adult fox, and it’s unlikely that you will be able to tame an adult animal - it’s better to release it into the wild so as not to torment and risk your own health and life), you should: he needs a cage or aviary. The animal should not live in a cramped environment, but it should feel free in a spacious cage or enclosure. Inside, you will need to equip a den in which the fox will hide, and a box that you fill with sand will serve as a toilet. Fortunately, these smart creatures quickly become accustomed to the toilet, and you shouldn't have any problems with this.

Considering that foxes love to dig, jump and climb, and also chew, the cage or enclosure will need to be checked for strength initially - otherwise you will be looking for the fox in the neighbors. Such periodic checks in the future will not hurt.

The cage or enclosure must be locked with a secure lock so that the animal or your children cannot open it.

In order for the cage to be clean, it will need to be cleaned. During such cleaning and tidying, it would be better to temporarily move the fox to a less spacious dwelling, which should also be securely locked.

Regarding the fox’s ability to move freely around the house or yard, this is only possible if the animal is absolutely tame, the area is fenced with a high and reliable fence, and you are 100% confident in your fox’s devotion. However, given that she is still a fox, you shouldn’t really trust her, nor should you let the animal roam around the house or apartment unattended.

What to feed a fox at home

This point is a little easier. Foxes are practically omnivorous. So, you can adapt your pet to any diet, however, if you want your fox to be healthy and not get sick, we would recommend that you feed him a high-quality dog food (read more about). This diet can be varied with berries and fruits, as well as vegetables.

Of course, the menu of a fox, which, let us remember, is a wild animal and a predator, should contain products that could remind it of the food of wild foxes from the canine family. But feeding your pet bones and raw fish is strictly prohibited. You may experience digestive problems in the future. And, as for meat by-products, beef tripe, cartilage, trachea, spleen, chicken offal are suitable.

Little foxes can be given milk and dairy products.

How to tame a fox

In the circus, you can often see red and black-brown foxes among other trained animals. This is no coincidence. These animals lend themselves well to training and taming, you can even teach a fox to walk on a leash. In principle, if you have experience in taming, training, etc., you should not have problems with a fox. If there is no such experience, in order for the animal to be well-mannered, it will not prevent him from training several times with an experienced dog trainer.

And, most importantly, the more time and attention you devote to this animal, the more affectionate and tame it will be. You can even play with your fox, although you will have to give up aggressive games, as well as games that involve fighting, the use of force - there is no need to awaken wild tendencies in your pet. Having played too much, the fox can attack you in earnest. And the consequences of her bites can be very sad.

For games you can use special toys - balls, .

If you have children, no matter how tame your fox is, during their games together, do not leave them unattended, since at any moment the fox can turn from affectionate into wild and aggressive, which will not be so easy to deal with .