So you are interested in finding out what foxes smell like. You’ve come to the right article if this is the case as I’ll be answering this question for you right below this intro. I also recommend you to keep on reading the article after you’ve read the answer to the main question as I’ll be answering a few more closely related questions as well.
What do foxes smell like? The bodies of foxes produce a musky smell which they use to convey status and also for marking their territories. Foxes will sometimes also smell a bit pungent as their urine smells like that. Foxes have a gland located at the base of their tails which also gives off a unique scent.
The urine smell that they carry from time to time will last for a very long time which is useful for them as other foxes can therefore also scent them better. Male foxes will also use their urine to mark female foxes during mating season and they will also use their violet gland for marking their mates.
Check out the video below which explains thoroughly what foxes smell like and why they smell.
What do arctic foxes smell like?
You can expect arctic foxes to pretty much contain the smells that you would generally experience in any kind of fox species. These smells are the odors from its scent glands, a musky smell, a pungent smell, and also a urine scent that cannot be denied.
Some people even claim that their pungent smell is a bit like the smell of a skunk but then again it will be quite hard to beat the incredibly strong smell of a skunk.
Do fennec foxes smell?
You can expect fennec foxes to carry all the smells that are often experienced in most other fox species. These smells are coming from its scent glands, a musky smell, a pungent smell, and also a urine smell.
There is, however, one difference that can be noticed when it comes to the gland’s odors they carry. Larger fox species will have an odor that smells worse when compared to the odor of smaller fox species like the fennec fox. This is primarily the case because smaller foxes will have smaller glands and larger foxes will have larger ones.
Why do foxes smell?
Foxes contain various smells for various reasons. They, for example, can smell like urine because they use their urine smell together with the scent of their glands to mark territory or a female fox they mated with. Their scent glands often give off a musky smell.
Their urine smell in particular is very strong and if you, for example, have a fox pet, it can be a hassle to keep the smell out of your house.
What makes foxes smell bad?
Foxes produce bad smells because of scent glands being present all over their bodies and also, of course, because of their urine smell. You can, however, be sure though that they will not be bothered by their scents themselves as their scents are very useful for them.
Another smell that might be experienced when running into foxes is the smell of dead animals as foxes are of course omnivores that will from time to time hunt other animals to survive.
Do foxes always smell bad?
You can expect foxes to pretty much always smell bad. Especially their urine smell is often undeniably experienced by people and you can also not blame them for it because it is in their nature to use their urine for marking territory and showing status.
Of course, you could clean a fox if it is, for example, your pet but then again the bad smells would very quickly return as they’ll urinate a lot and also their scent glands will start firing right after and probably even during their bath.
If you can’t get enough of learning about foxes then I encourage you to check out the “Foxes Category Page” which consists of various articles that give answers to fox-related questions.
For what do foxes use their scent?
Foxes use their scent for many different aspects. They, for example, use their scent to mark their territories, to mark the partners they’ve been with, and they will use their scent to show their individuality to other foxes that they run into.
Foxes even like to rub their scent onto items to let other foxes know that these items are already claimed and shouldn’t be taken by someone else.
Do foxes have a skunk-like smell?
Some people claim that foxes have a skunk-like smell which could potentially mean that foxes do. But you can also be sure that foxes will not smell as bad as skunks as skunks are notorious for their bad smell.
Also, the main purpose of a skunk’s scent differs from the scent of foxes. Skunks, for example, use their scent mainly to defend themselves and to repel common enemies before they can even come close.
Do pet foxes stink?
You can be sure that pet foxes can stink just like wild foxes. The only difference between them would be that a pet fox will from time to time be cleaned by you and that a pet fox will not carry any dead animal scents with them as you’ll probably not give your pet fox live prey.
Scents that you can expect to experience are a urine smell, a musky smell, and a smell that’s unique to each fox which is the scent that comes from its scent glands.
What does fox poop smell like?
It is known that foxes are omnivores which means that they’ll both eat plant-based foods and also meat-based foods. Therefore, their poop will often contain undigested bones, hairs, and seeds which will result in the poop smelling musky.
If you, however, have a fox as a pet then their poop might smell a bit different as you’re then the one that decides what the fox in question gets to eat.
How do I get a fox smell out of my house?
The best ways to get rid of a fox smell in your house are to use sprays like, for example, the product “Simple Green”, use essential oils like, for example, citronella, or to use vinegar, or baking soda.
All of the above-mentioned solutions are great for getting rid of a fox smell in your house but in the end, it is up to you whether you want to use natural products or not.
How do I get rid of a fox urine smell on my hands?
Whenever you have a fox urine smell on your hands then it is best to use products like “Simple Green”, “Angry Orange”, or “Odoban” to get rid of the urine smell. Other options you could use are citronella (essential oil), vinegar, or baking soda.
It generally is very hard to get rid of a fox-related urine smell but with the above options, you can at least get a little bit closer to getting your hands fully cleaned again.
How do I get rid of a fox smell in my garden?
Various products can get close to getting rid of a fox smell in your garden. For example, the spray product “Simple Green” will not remove the smell but at least make it more manageable. There are of course many more like, for example, the products “Angry Orange”, or “Odoban”.
If you, however, don’t want to use any sprays then essential oils will be a good choice for you. Citronella, for example, is a great essential oil to use for getting rid of fox smells in your garden.
Apart from essential oils, vinegar or baking soda will also bring you great results.
How do I get rid of a fox smell on my dog?
There are many odor eliminator products on the market that are suitable for dogs. These odor eliminators only will have to be sprayed on your dog and then wiped off after. Apart from an odor eliminator, a specifically designed shampoo for dogs also works to get rid of fox smells on your dog.
Make sure you do some good research online before you buy a dog shampoo though, as I’ve read reviews online on some shampoos that require you to at least wash your dog more than once to get rid of the fox smell.
Check out the video below if you want to see for yourself how to get rid of a fox smell on your dog.
How do I get rid of a fox smell on my cat?
If you want to get a fox smell that’s on your cat removed then your best bet will be to wash your cat with specific shampoos that are designed to eliminate a fox smell. If you happen to have a fox pet, however, then it is likely that the fox’s smell will return on your cat.
There are even people that have claimed that tomato sauce or ketchup could do wonders too when it comes to removing a fox smell on cats. It is, however, more likely that shampoo will completely get rid of the fox smell and that tomato sauce or ketchup will only neutralize the odor.
Related questions
Can you remove a fox’s scent gland?
Although it is very well known that the foxes scent gland can truly scent strong and that the foxes scent gland can be removed, it is not advised to remove the foxes scent gland. You can, however, decide to reduce the size of a fox’s gland by 25% by using certain sprays.
How good is a fox’s sense of smell?
The fox’s sense of smell is pretty well-developed as their sense of smell is crucial for their survival. They, for example, need their sense of smell to detect prey. Examples of prey that they love to find with their sense of smell are birds, small mammals, reptiles, and rodents.
From what distances can foxes, smell food or their prey?
Although the distances that foxes will be able to smell depend on the kind of species that they’re, generally you can expect a fox to be able to smell up to half a mile. Of course, it, for example, also depends on the direction where the wind is blowing and how strong the smell is.
Conclusion
Now you know that foxes will produce various smells throughout their lives. They will produce a musky smell to convey status and also for marking their territories. Besides a musky smell, foxes also smell a bit pungent at times because their urine smells like that. And foxes will also all have a gland located at the base of their tails which will for each fox give off a unique scent.