Trixxie, a chiweenie, had been outside alone only five minutes when a coyote attacked her and tried to carry her off. Fortunately, a neighbor’s Rottweiler saw the attack and rescued her. Other dogs aren’t so lucky when they tangle with dangerous wildlife.
A Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, dachshund was fatally wounded by a coyote despite its owner eventually frightening the coyote away.
Coyotes are just among the dangerous wildlife that dogs can face, even in their own backyards. Depending on where you live, other dogs, raccoons, skunks, porcupines, rats, snakes and scorpions can also pose threats to dogs.
Here are some steps you can take to keep your dog safe from dangerous wildlife.
Don’t Leave Your Dog Unsupervised Outside
Keeping your dog supervised outdoors is a key to keeping your dog safe. Of course, keeping dogs inside is the best way to avoid outdoor predators. When dogs are outside, keep an eye on them. Even if you have a fence, dangerous animals may climb or jump it. Don’t leave your dog chained or tethered in the yard, which makes them an easy target for predators. When walking your dog in public areas, keep it on a leash so that it isn’t able to run off chasing other animals.
Deter Dangerous Animals
You can take several steps to avoid attracting dangerous animals to your backyard and to discourage them from getting in. Don’t leave your dog’s food, water or droppings outside, as these things can attract other animals. Feed your dog inside or move any leftovers inside after your dog is done eating and drinking. To deter coyotes and other dogs and animals from jumping your fence, you can install coyote rollers on top of your fence to prevent leaping animals from getting a foothold. If you do find evidence of dangerous animals in your yard, take appropriate removal measures yourself or hire a professional wildlife removal service such as Truetech to assist you with removing the potential threat to your dog.
Keep Your Dog’s Vaccinations up to Date
Another step you can take to protect your dog is getting vaccinations. Besides any regular vaccinations your dog may be receiving, talk to your vet about other vaccinations that may protect your dog from diseases that can be spread like wildlife in your area. For instance, if you live in an area where there are ticks, you may want to consider vaccinating your dog to protect it from Lyme disease.
Make Sure Your Dog Wears an ID
Dogs that get scared or attacked by wild animals may run away. Making sure your dog has an identification tag with your contact information will help reduce the risk of losing your dog. You might also consider getting your dog microchipped to make sure your dog can still be returned if its ID tag gets lost or becomes illegible.
Keep a Dog First Aid Kit
In the event that your dog gets wounded by another animal, you should have a dog first aid kit handy. Your first aid kit should contain a wound spray such as Vetericyn, hydrogen peroxide, a self-cling bandage, bandage scissors, eye wash, ear wash, a dog cone to keep your dog from scratching sore spots and a muzzle and leash to help control your dog if it becomes panicked. You should also include a list of emergency contact numbers, such as your vet’s number and a copy of your dog’s medical records.