But for those brave enough to keep them as pets---or who find themselves somehow in charge of a litter of orphaned fox pups---here's what they consume.
-
Mother's Milk
-
Of course the very best food for a newborn pup is the same as with all newborn mammals---mother's milk. In the wild, newborn pups spend their first month nursing. Much like domestic dog puppies and kittens, if a fox can remain with its mother during the first three months of its life, that's best for its health and development.
Puppy Milk Replacement Formula
-
There's artificial formula available for dog puppies, and that's about as close a nutritional supplement as you'll get for foxes. Veterinarians do not recommend using cow, goat or sheep milk as it doesn't provide for all of the fox pup's needs.
Puppy milk replacement formula is available at most pet stores and veterinarians' offices. Most brands come in powder form and require mixing to prepare. Some also come pre-prepared in cartons.
There are several delivery methods for this formula: small 3 milliliter syringes, bottles designed for puppies and kittens, and baby bottles with preemie nipples. Whichever tool you use, it will take at least six feedings a day. Consult your veterinarian for accurate dosage needs.
Solids
-
Once fox pups make it to about a month old, they turn to meat eating. Foxes are primarily carnivores, and in the wild, their fathers bring freshly killed meat to their dens. So, if you're not comfortable feeding a pup freshly killed rodents---which would be their food of choice---chicken, turkey or beef will do.
Foxes are essentially omnivorous and can also take some vegetables and fruits as they would in the wild. So, once pups turn to solids, it's not difficult to find something they'll eat. Make sure the food is cut up small enough that it's safe for the fox pups to swallow.
-