Keeping a Pet Safe From Coyote Attacks

Precautions That will Help Protect Companion Animals

Sep 26, 2009

Urban coyotes have adapted to life near humans. Since their diets consist of small mammals, house pets are easy targets for these clever hunters.

Whether houses are built on coyote hunting grounds or other environmental factors cause coyotes to venture into neighborhoods to find food, those who live in coyote-dense areas need to keep a closer eye on their pets, especially small ones.

Once inside a coyote's territory, companion animals make ideal meals for cunning coyotes because they aren't used to being prey animals and might not see the coyote as a danger. As coyotes have adapted to residential areas, they have become less fearful of humans and unafraid to attack small animals if given the opportunity.

Build Fences to Keep Coyotes Out

DogPublic.com, a learning hub for everything canine, as well as the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner recommend fencing as one way to deter coyotes from entering a property and potentially killing a pet. Fences should be:

The main goal of fencing should be to keep coyotes from digging beneath them or climbing over them. Extenders and other equipment can be purchased at local fence dealers and hardware stores. In addition to fencing, small areas around a property that could be used as a coyote den should be removed.

Keep Pets and Their Food Indoors to Keep Them Safe From Coyotes

The best way a pet owner can protect his companion animal is by keeping the pet inside when he or she is unable to supervise the animal. This is especially crucial for small pets, which make easier targets for coyotes. Large dogs must be monitored, too, because they can be injured during a fight with a roaming coyote and sometimes coyotes mate with domesticated dogs, causing unwanted animals. All animals should also be brought in for the night or kept in a protective kennel after dark.

Because pets should remain inside, their food and water should come inside with them. Coyotes will eat pet food and leaving it out only serves to attract wildlife to the home. Fruit trees and vegetable gardens should also be fenced off to prevent coyotes from using them as a food source.

What Pet Owners Should Do if They Encounter a Coyote

When walking a dog in coyote country or taking the animal to a dog park, ensure the pet is leashed. If the animal is off-leash, pet owners should make sure it stays close so they have time to react if they feel the presence of a coyote.

In residential areas where coyotes are common, pet owners should bring a walking stick, and an air horn or other items that will make a lot of noise with them on walks, especially with their pets are with them. If a coyote is approaching, walkers should do the following:

Because coyotes are intelligent, they can pick up on patterns, so pet owners should change up their walking routine and route every so often to decrease the possibility of a coyote encounter.

Safe Animals, Careful Pet Owners, Isolated Coyotes

Coyotes are natural predators and serve a purpose in their environment. Though there can be problems when humans and coyotes live in the same space, the number of issues can be greatly reduced by taking preventative measures to protect the safety of a pet and make the area around a home unattractive to coyotes.

Pets and coyotes can coexist in the same geographic areas. Keeping the two separated at all times ensures that both can live in them harmoniously.

The copyright of the article Keeping a Pet Safe From Coyote Attacks in Pet Care is owned by Heidi Lowry. Permission to republish Keeping a Pet Safe From Coyote Attacks in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.