You'll always know where she is, and she's safe from running out into the street or being picked up by large predatory birds or coyotes that may roam the area. Bringing a outside cat in at a certain time doesn't work. “That’s one of the benefits of having predators in the environment -- they help keep the balance of nature and help prevent cats from overrunning it.” We've got guidelines to help you keep your indoor cat happy. We saw a coyote wandering on our street at dusk just a couple nights ago. “Especially because the cats expend more calories in the wintertime than they do in the summertime,” Huggins says. Thread starter #11 bock Songster. When you allow your cat to roam freely outdoors, even for short periods of time, you expose her to perils such as cars, dogs, diseases, coyotes, poisons and cruel people. (You'll be helping your neighboring wildlife stay safer and happier as well.) 1; 2; First Prev 2 of 2 Go to page. I live in the suburbs in south Louisiana. If you have livestock or other animals, put a single llama or donkey in the space and keep more of your animals safe. Protecting Your Cats. Don't do it ... period. You probably do, and just don't know it. While a properly built catio is perfectly safe for your cat, if you want added protection, a motion sensor sprinkler or coyote roller for your fence can provide that extra peace of mind. To protect your rabbit, you should make your own predator-proof hutch. Besides building a taller fence, you can install coyote rollers on the fence to prevent their back climbing legs from getting a grip. 11 Years. If you already have a fence, install “ coyote rollers ” on top. And there is ALWAYS a when. If you choose to have outdoor cats (not recommended), install cat post (see below) and bring cats inside at night. Jul 5, 2010. The only guaranteed way to protect a cat from coyotes is to keep him as an entirely indoor cat, perhaps with access to a very secure outdoor run. People who feed feral cats are often concerned that coyotes might prey on the cats. Keeping Coyotes Out: Coyotes are smart, persistent and small.That means most fences and garden walls won't keep them out. You say: Well, when coyotes are around, just keep your cat inside. Cat food can attract a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, to your yard: try feeding indoors, or if you must feed out-of-doors, do so in the middle of the day when most wildlife is not moving around, and please don’t leave the food out there. Coyotes can easily jump 6-foot fences, and can scale taller ones that give them toe holds, such as cyclone fences. Joan Morris is the pets & wildlife columnist for the Bay Area News Group. In recent days, several dogs and cats have been killed or injured in the East Bay cities from coyote attacks in their own yards. I live in Portland, OR, about ten minutes from downtown. He’s been gone for 3 days now. Make Your Yard Unappealing to Predators. If you want your cats to have outside access build a catio. Utilize exclusionary fencing (see section #3). Do coyotes jump fences or walls? Walk pets on a 6 foot leash at all times. Cats DO NOT need to be imprisoned indoors in order to be kept safe. Some people let their cats outside because they mistakenly believe it's cruel to keep cats indoors. Watch out for toxins. When walking your dog in open spaces, keep your pet on a short leash (6 feet or shorter) and be wary when approaching heavily vegetated areas. Related Articles Are there ways to protect my pets and family from coyotes? Use air horns or whistles blasted in the coyote’s direction, or bang a pot with a large spoon. Walk pets on a 6 foot leash at all times. Here's some ideas & inspiration for creating safe spaces for pets, escape tunnels and/or ways to discourage predators from entering your yard or property. Here are some things you can do to protect your dogs, cats, and family members from a coyote attack: Always accompany your small dog outside when it’s time for them to use the restroom, especially at dusk, dawn, and night. The best way to protect your cat from coyotes and other wildlife, and to protect wildlife from your cat, is, of course, to keep your cat from roaming unsupervised. *** There are no two ways about it: If you have a small to medium-sized dog, you need to be aware of the potential dangers coyotes represent. Visit the Vet . Coyotes are mostly, although not entirely, nocturnal. Fencing can be used to keep coyotes out of residential yards, but it must be at least six feet tall and should extend underground at least six inches or be parallel to the ground at least 12 inches and secured with landscaping staples. Outdoor cats are at risk for diseases like feline leukemia, distemper, and upper respiratory infections—not to mention fleas and other pests. Straw (not hay!) My parents found a young coyote in our garage recently. In the wilderness, coyotes fear just about only one animal. Coyotes aren't the only threat cats face when they go outside—there are far greater dangers. To protect your yard, fences needs to be at least 8 feet tall and made of smooth materials that won’t allow the coyote traction. To protect your yard, fences needs to be at least 8 feet tall and made of smooth materials that won’t allow the coyote traction. Keep your cats inside at night. Keep cats indoors. How can I protect my other 2 cats from becoming the next victims? Adoptable Cats Adoption Information Dogs ... 10 Ways to Protect your Dog from Coyotes. Suggest to neighbors who have indoor-outdoor cats that their cats wear bells and bright collars to help birds see them and escape. If you want your cat to be safe, keep her indoors. Are there ways to protect my pets and family…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Santa Clara County reports COVID outbreak at juvenile hall, youth ranch. It’s important to have one ready so your cat has options when they want to be inside. And if you have outdoor cats, now is a good time to bring them indoors. Devices such as the "coyote roller,” which “rolls off” coyotes that try to scramble over the fence, can enhance the effectiveness of a fence. Sort by reaction score Thread starter bock; Start date Jul 5, 2010; Prev. Tip 6. Coyote bites 5-year-old boy at California college campus Donkeys will rush at a coyote. By their nature, cats are hard-wired to hunt anything small and furry (or feathered). These can be expensive and impractical for some gardens, though. Consider adding predator deterrents in your backyard. However, if you have an outdoor cat, or there are feral cat colonies near your home, there are a few simple things that you can do to protect these animals. See all above recommendations for additional ideas. These can be climbed by cats but not by coyotes, Elevate feeding stations beyond coyotes’—but not the cats’—reach, Discourage/harass coyotes seen on the property. If a coyote has grabbed your pet, try all of the hazing techniques, but use care in trying to pull your pet away. Although “attacks” on larger dogs are rarer, coyotes will sometimes go after a large dog when they feel that their territory is threatened. Devices such as the Night Guard Solar continuously flash a small red light that animals mistake for the eyes of another creature. It's entirely constructed with a super tough puncture resistant Cordura ® fabric that can resist sharp teeth and features a large collar to protect the back of the neck. Indoor Cats vs. Our rescue is located in a rural area and, while we have never had an encounter ourselves, we frequently hear them in the surrounding forested areas. That animal is the Wolf. Make sure all trash is in a secure container. I say: What about my poor cat? You also can install barbed or concertina wire on the top of your fences, although people may not be keen on making their backyards look like prison yards. They are indoor-outdoor cats and I think it's cruel to not let them go outside at all, but they might not come back by nightfall! Plenty of outdoor cats enjoy safe leash time with their humans—and it’s good for your health, too! Use insulation! If you want them to stay alive keep them in. Deterrents are available in liquid sprays too. Walking your pet on a leash with necessary deterrents. Install cat posts for outside cats. Other Benefits to Protecting Pets .