I have been interested about Kitsune since I first came to Japan. Especially Inari.
Kitsune are almost always associated with Inari. But according to what I read they can be easily offended.
I am a bit worried about this because when I went to the Shrine for New Years on my fortune it said this year I should believe in Inari. I know Inari isn't kitsune but I don't wanna piss anyone off.
For the past year I have been giving my respects at a local Inari shrine and I think everything is alright but last week when I told one of my friends about this he said that Kitsune/Inari are not to be taken lightly. He had a baby in his family what was plagued by kitsune every night for a very long time and his grandfather had to barrier the room and put up ofuda just so the baby could sleep at night.
If anyone could give me some more info I would love to hear it. Also if anyone knows the proper rituals for a Inari shrine I would love to hear them as well.

Imuri

Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox. As far as I know, Japanese people considered foxes as one of the animals that are very sensitive to its surroundings. An ordinary fox may gain supernatural abilities and may harm or help people. In this state, the term kitsune is often translated as fox spirit.

You'll be interested in Ann Llewellyn Evan's book "Shinto Norito: A book of Prayers." It contains several good prayers, including an Inari prayer.

I've looked into foxes (particular Japanese) of this nature for a while so I do have a lot of information ^^; . So, it's kind of difficult to just give you a little information.
However, your friend is right; Kitsune and Inari should not be taken lightly. As for proper rituals, I don't know, other than to make offerings of meals containing aburaage (best check the book that Rain suggested, I suppose). I do know, though, that if you are to ask something of Inari (or even just pay respects), you must pay respect to the Kitsune as well. It's almost like asking something of a boss of a company without going through his secretary; both parties would be insulted.
Most likely, if you treat them with reverence and respect, they accept that. But, if you stop regular visits, best tell them why you stopped.

Here’s a little info though -
The main-stream version of Kitsune are different from the Ainu version as well, but being the Inari Kitsune that you're interested in, I suppose it doesn't make much different ^^; . Ainu foxes are normal foxes with extra powers, but these Kitsune gain power as they grow. Depending on the fox, they grow a tail every 100 or 1,000 years until they have 9. After 50 years (I think it is; have to check), they can use 変化の術（へんげのじゅつ）- transformation. There’s different types of Kitsune. There are the normal Kitsune (from 1-tail to 8-tail), then Tenko （天狐） (among many more, but…). These are the ones that are normally connected to Inari. When a fox become a 九尾の狐 (kyuubi-no-kitsune), their fur becomes white, silver or gold. The Kitsune connected to Inari are like most Japanese-born Kitsune. Foreign Foxes tend to be “bad” or “evil” (although they are in their country as well), and even a 9-tailed can still be red. These foxes are the ones you have to be wary of, but for those with Inari, if treat them with respect, they won’t usually cause any problems.

Most of Inari’s Kitsune obviously are in contact with humans a lot, so they would have some understanding of how humans are different from themselves (and don’t always know what is “appropriate” to them). Other foxes aren’t so understanding. Also, if you see a fox (regardless of if it’s a Kitsune in disguise or a normal animal), treat it kindly, otherwise Kitsune may take offense to it too ^^;.
I know it’s a lot, but I hope that helps somewhat.

Everyone thank you for your information!

Wow! Except I really don't agree with that new mention about kitsune on wiki, the part about "zenko" or "bad" kitsune and... the other one that's supposed to mean "good"... After all, that's only one person who's used that term, and "bad" kitsune have been called nogitsune for centuries. Nogitsune just means wild fox, and it's a fox who doesn't work for Inari and therefore doesn't live by Inari's rules. They tend to be more dangerous and prone to trickster behavior, but as said before, if you're very polite and careful not to offend, then you should be good.

Also, foxes live by a strict code of their word being sacred, if they promise something they hold to it.

No idea why I'm posting in an old thread... Except maybe to get my two cents in.

That's why you shouldn't depend on wiki XD
I have heard zenko used before - zenko is for a fox that follows Inari. Tenko is a 9-tailed that follows Inari (white, gold, or silver in colour).
And "yako" and "nogitsune" have the same kanji, just different pronouciations.

I forgot to mention the code - so thanks for adding that, Kit ^^

No prob, it actually came up in the story I'm writing, so it was on my brain. It's true, though, that if a kitsune swears to do something then they have to live up to it. Promises are binding, and they have a strict honor code.

Most kitsune are for the most part pretty good, but their ability to take possession of human bodies is infamous. Even in recent times people are still accused of being possessed in Japan. The only real way to force them out if you're not a priest is to find this little white ball. Nobody really knows what it does, there's theories that it contains the human's soul or part of the kitsune's power, but if you have it you can make them vacate the premises.

Just wanted to add that in!

The ball is the fox's power - whether someone is possessed or not, the fox will always have it.
There's a nice story about it, but I'll have to look for it again, 'cause I don't remember it off the top of my head.

interestingly enough there is a similar spirit in certain native American tales, only the foxes are always gray are collectively called Inari. O.o my thinking is that the story traveled continents early on or that actual kitsune came to the states and spoke with the native Americans.