Bill Leikam is the Director of the Independent Urban Gray Fox Research at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge...............Bill comments on the Bill Dodge southeastern Michigan Coyote Study post of the other day making reference to the fact that unlike Coyotes, Gray Foxes do not kill adult cats and dogs---the domestic canine and tabby are just too large for a Fox to tackle successfully.............However, domestic kittens are fair game for both Gray and Red Foxes and can end up a meal.

Rick:

I just finished reading the article on coyotes in the urban setting. As you may know from Rick Lanman, I am studying the gray fox in its urban setting here near Palo Alto, California and much of my work aligns with Bill Dodge's work in Michigan. In many places in his article/post, I could insert gray fox in place of coyote and the findings, etc. would fit. There are however parts where the fox would not parallel that of the coyote.

 For instance, due to size differences, gray foxes do not attack grown cats nor domestic dogs. However, a fox will feed on feral kittens. I have seen foxes encounter grown feral cats and in 99% of the cases, the fox moves aside to give the cat room to move on. The same holds true for encounters with raccoons and sometimes opossums although in the latter case, I have seen a fox engage with an opossum but unsuccessfully.

I just thought that I'd get in touch and let you know.

Sincerely,
Bill Leikam, Director
Independent Urban Gray Fox Research,
Urban Wildlife Research Project,
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge,
Public lectures and guided tours
Phone: 650 - 856 - 3041
wcleikam@gmail.com   
Palo Alto, California