What to Do if You Find a Baby Fox in Your Garden, According to a Wildlife Expert

Baby foxes are some of the cutest animals, so it can be exciting if you find one curled up in your yard or garden. But seeing one without its mother may also raise some alarm bells. While your first instinct may be to help, young cubs (also known as kits) are often left unattended while their parents hunt for food, and intervening too quickly can sometimes do more harm than good. Ahead, a wildlife expert shares what to do if you find a lone cub on your property—and how to know if you should contact a professional for help.

How to Tell If the Fox Cub Needs Help

More often than not, a healthy fox cub is following its instincts: exploring the world around it. "It's almost second nature for us to be concerned, but sometimes it's just a healthy dose of curiosity and independence," says Peter Gros, wildlife expert and co-host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.

But if a fox cub is in trouble, there are usually obvious clues that something isn't quite right. "Look for visible injuries, unusual weakness, malnutrition, or a youngster that seems unaware of what's happening," he says. All these can mean the fox cub is in danger and could require your assistance.

Signs the Mother Is Nearby

A calm, content cub is often a sign that it feels safe, says Gros. If a fox cub is calm, it's likely just waiting for its mom, who is never too far away. Fox mothers spend ample time out of sight and may be watching from a distance or out hunting rather than standing right beside their young.

When a Cub May Be Orphaned or Injured

If it's been several hours, and the cub is still on its own, you might need to reach out to a wildlife rehabber. But before doing so, follow these steps.

Observe

Take a moment to watch from a distance and give the cub plenty of space. “I know the urge is to help right away, especially when you see a young animal by itself,” says Gros. But in many cases, taking time to evaluate the situation gives you a better read than immediate action, he says. It's likely that the mom is nearby and will be back to care for her cub soon.

Keep Pets Away

Keep pets indoors or on a leash while the cub is around. A barking dog or curious outdoor cat will only frighten the animal, which could make it want to leave the area, separating it from its mother.

Stay Quiet

Keep the area where the cub is as quiet as possible. Wild animals, even predators like foxes, dislike noise, as it disrupts their ability to hear approaching threats, such as other predators. With too much noise, the cub might get the urge to roam far away, again possibly removing it from proximity to its mother.

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When to Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator when there's any doubt about a young animal's well-being, says Gros. "These professionals are trained to understand the animal's medical needs and natural behaviors," he says. "And they play an important role in helping determine if the cub needs additional care and giving it the best chance of returning to the wild, if it does require human intervention."

Mistakes to Avoid

These are the mistakes Gros says to never make if you opt to help a fox cub.

Feeding It

In most cases, it's best to avoid providing food. “This action comes from a good place, but sometimes that can cause further issues, or make it so their mother cannot relocate them,” says Gros. You especially don't want the fox to build trust with humans. After all, this is a wild animal that should remain in the wild.

Rehabbing It Yourself

If the animal is injured or orphaned, don't try to rehabilitate it yourself, as it may imprint on you, making it difficult for the fox to return to the wild. "A quick call to a wildlife professional can ensure the cub gets the right kind of help, if help is needed at all," says Gros.