Coyotes – they’re wild animals that roam
the grasslands and foothills of North America. But they’re becoming more and more frequent
guests to suburbs and even cities. So, what should you do if you or your pet
comes across one? More on that here in a bit, but first… How dangerous are coyotes? Coyotes are rather reclusive animals that
don’t enjoy or seek the company of humans. They wouldn’t move closer to us by choice. But as cities are growing and pushing into
what used to be wild areas, people are the ones moving closer to coyotes! Now these canines aren’t as afraid of humans
as they used to be and feel safe roaming around backyards, even with the homeowners nearby! They’ve already realized there’s food
in human neighborhoods, and they don’t mind helping themselves to it. It could be something out of the trash, the
garden, or, worst-case scenario, your pets! If there’s just one coyote watching you,
it may be doing this out of curiosity. However, if you have a dog that’s smaller
than the coyote, who knows what might be going through this invader’s mind? “Mmm, Bichon steak, my favorite!” A pack of coyotes, which is fortunately a
rarity in cities or suburbs, is a whole other ballgame though! When there’s a group of them, what do they
have to fear? Luckily, cases of coyotes attacking dogs are
very uncommon. But still, it’s every pet owner’s responsibility
to keep their furry friend out of harm’s way. So here’s… How to protect your dog from coyotes: - Don’t leave your dog unattended. If you live in a high-risk area, always keep
an eye on your pooch, even when it’s playing in your own backyard. Genetically, dogs and coyotes have a lot in
common, so they’re naturally attracted to each other. That means it’s not always the coyote chasing
the dog – it can be vice versa! If your pet spots a coyote across the fence,
it might decide to beeline straight for this unfamiliar visitor. When you’re going for a walk with your dog,
keep it on a leash. A non-retractable kind is your best bet because
you’ll be able to control your pet and keep it close in case of a rendezvous. Those wild doggos are still mostly afraid
of humans, so your close presence will serve as a protective shield. If you have a little dog, it’s even better
if you pick it up when things get dangerous. - Plan your walking route wisely. One of the best things you can do to avoid
running into a coyote is avoiding areas that are known to have plenty of them. Coyotes don’t like bright light, so walking
on a well-lit street or path is a good idea. If that’s not an option, take a flashlight
with you and create your own source of bright light. - Be more careful at certain times of the
day and year. Baby coyotes are born in spring, so their
parents get way more protective and, thus, dangerous from April to August. That’s when they’re on high alert to keep
their cubs out of danger, even if that “danger” is just your goofy beagle running up to try
and make a new friend. As for the time of day, they’re most active
at night. By nature, they like to get around during
the day, but urban life has changed coyotes. They’ve adapted to sniff around when the
sun’s not out in hopes of not getting spotted by humans. That’s why you should keep an extra eye
on your pet if you prefer to walk it just after sunset. - Don’t feed wildlife. The main thing that brings coyotes to areas
filled with humans is the search for food. So don’t be surprised by a visit if you
leave something tasty out for them. And if they get it once, they’ll come back
for more. For the same reason, don’t feed any of your
pets outside – any leftovers become a source of risk. Even birdseed can cause you trouble because
rodents come after it, and they’re an easy catch for coyotes. On that note… - Keep your yard clean. A dirty grill that you forgot to clean after
a delicious BBQ, fallen fruit you were too lazy to pick up, any kind of edible trash
– all of those are natural attractants for coyotes. And, yeah, even your dog’s poop is a threat
because coyotes can smell it from afar. If you have compost in your backyard, make
sure the bin on it is always securely closed. Don’t throw meat in there either because,
well, obviously the smell is irresistible to them. Shrubs and fallen branches also put your pet
at risk because they make an excellent natural hiding spot for sneaky visitors. - Set up a good fence. A fence that’s at least 8 feet tall made
out of a material that’s hard to climb is a good precaution. To make sure coyotes won’t get in from digging
under it, the fence should extend underground at least 2 feet deep. One more thing – if you have an invisible
fence, remember it works its magic on your dog so that it doesn’t get out, but it won’t
stop a coyote from getting in! - Get some protective gear for your dog. These days, they make anti-coyote Kevlar jackets
– yeah, the same material police vests are made from – for dogs. Many of them are extra-protected with spikes
on the back. There are also collars with spikes to protect
your little guy’s neck. Not gonna lie, they look pretty cool and hardcore! Ok, hopefully those preventative measures
will keep you from coming face-to-snout with a coyote in the first place. But just in case… What should you do if you see a coyote? - First thing’s first, walk confidently
and stay calm. I know it’s easier said than done, but if
the coyote is still pretty far away, you can just walk out of trouble with your dog on
the leash or in your arms. Avoid running by all means. It triggers their hunter instinct, so they’ll
be more likely to chase after you. And a coyote is always faster than you, trust
me. Don’t turn your back to the animal either. Be confident but cautious! - If you realize it’s too late to just walk
away and the coyote is interested in either you or your dog, or both, you have to show
it that you aren’t afraid of it at all. To do that, pretend to be larger and more
intimidating than you actually are – no one likes to start beef with a bigger stronger
enemy. Stand tall and wave your arms. Yell aggressively and in an authoritative
tone. If there are any cans, sticks, or pebbles
around, throw them for extra noise. Stomping your feet also helps. Blow a whistle or an air horn, ring a bell
– use any noise source you can. Looking it in the eye will also show how powerful
and confident you are. - In case the coyote got into your backyard,
use hoses, spray bottles with vinegar water (you can fill them in advance), or any other
things that could scare away the predator. - Sometimes they’ll start to run off but
then stop and look back. Remember to keep scaring it away – don’t
stop just because the coyote started to retreat. It might take more than one attempt to get
rid of it for good. - One important thing you should do after
the predator’s gone is report the incident to your local authorities! It’s crucial to keep track of sightings
to inform others of possible danger in the area. And finally… What should you do after an attack? Let’s hope it never happens to your pet,
but if it does, it’s always best when you know what to do! You have to take your dog to the vet immediately
for the wounds to be cleaned and treated. Even if it just looks like a minor scratch
or bite, still take them in. The vet will give your fur baby a rabies vaccine
and antibiotics if necessary. Luckily, rabies isn’t that common among
coyotes, but the shot is almost always protocol with any wild animal bite. Have you ever spotted a coyote? Let me know down in the comments! If you learned something new today, then give
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