Foxes are naturally shy and mostly active at night, but they may be encouraged to visit your garden with a few simple steps - the RSPCA recommends leaving out a certain item to attract them07:00, 01 Aug 2026Updated 07:01, 01 Aug 2026Many people spend the summer hoping to spot more wildlife in their gardens - and foxes are no exception. Now with August here, there's not much time left in getting more wildlife in your outdoor space this summer.‌Of course foxes are beneficial to your garden as they're excellent natural pet controllers. They manage rodent and insect populations which can otherwise damage your plants and property. Also foxes are highly adaptable omnivores so their presence creates a more balanced mini-ecosystem right in your backyard. Now to encourage more of them in your garden, the RSPCA recommended one type of food.‌It comes as social media has seen a rise in people asking how they can encourage the animals to stop by, with some even wondering whether they should build them a home.‌One Reddit user said: "I've had a resident family of foxes live at the back of my garden for many years now and was wondering if it would be a good idea to build them a sort of little house to live in."It would mostly be a fun project to do, but is this a stupid idea for any reasons I'm missing? Would this do more harm than good? Would they just not care about it at all?"While the RSPCA doesn't recommend making foxes reliant on humans, it says one simple way to encourage them into your garden is by leaving out tinned cat or dog food.‌As foxes are omnivores, the protein-rich food makes an ideal occasional snack, alongside the insects, plants and other food they naturally forage for.The charity also says you can leave out fruits such as apples, pears, blueberries, cherries and figs. Cheese and peanuts can be offered as an occasional treat, although only in small amounts as foxes can be lactose intolerant.If you do decide to feed foxes, the RSPCA recommends speaking to your neighbours first so they know what you're doing.‌It says foxes are naturally shy, mostly come out at night and are unlikely to cause problems for people, pets or gardens when fed responsibly. There are, however, several foods owners should avoid leaving out.Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to foxes, while meat bones can cause choking or serious internal injuries.‌The charity also advises against leaving out large quantities of food, as foxes shouldn't become dependent on people for meals. Junk food and sugary treats should also be avoided because they don't provide the nutrients foxes need.Finally, although foxes may become familiar visitors, the RSPCA says they should never be hand-fed. Keeping them wild helps protect both the animals and the people they encounter.Encourage more wildlife into your gardenAdding to this, the Woodland Trust has shared several other ways you can make your garden more appealing to wildlife throughout the summer.‌One of its biggest tips is to let nature take its course by planting native wildflowers, which provide food and shelter for a wide range of species.A statement reads: "Native wildflowers are ideal as they're easy to grow and look after, and provide a pretty display too. Plants like forget-me-not, red campion, foxglove and chamomile are a great nectar source for bees and butterflies."By choosing the right species, you can even grow flowers that attract insects as a food source for birds or bats."Article continues belowThe charity also recommends planting more trees and shrubs to create natural habitats, putting out ready-made wildlife homes and making sure animals have access to a fresh source of water during the warmer months.