Freaked Out About Coyotes? No Need: Tips to Protect Pets

Particularly in northern climates, this is the time of year when people often get freaked out about coyotes. But are they really worth being freakout out about?

Coyote pups born in spring and are at this time of year becoming more independent and at about this time of year dispersing to find territories of their own. While exploring, young coyotes may encounter populated areas and, because they are inexperienced, some may even appear curious about people. And all coyotes are hard-wired to bulk up for the winter.

According to the researchers in Urban Cook County Coyote Research Project only one human has been attacked in 40 years. There are other examples, where coyotes are common – as they are in Cook County (Chicago metro area) – where there have been zero coyote human attacks ever on record.

If at all possible keep cats indoors. Don’t allow small or medium-sized dogs in the yard unsupervised. Understand coyotes won’t be as motivated to enter our yards if people in the neighborhood (not only you) don’t feed them, and when a potential dinner from our trash cans becomes unavailable by using tight fitting coyote poof lids, Wolf urine may further deter coyotes. Just spray the wolf urine around the perimeter of the yard (though you must reapply after a rain).  Also, devices such as coyote rollers —can help to keep them out.

If you’re walking a large dog, the risk of a serious encounter is very low. With small or medium-sized dogs, however, pay attention to the coyote’s behavior. If one appears interested or begins following you, never run. Instead, stand your ground, make yourself appear as large as possible. Wave your arms and yell. If coyotes are common in your neighborhood carry a loud whistle or a bicycle horn.

If your dog is small enough to safely pick up, do so. Also, keep your dog on a six-foot leash rather than a retractable leash. A shorter leash gives you much more control if a coyote suddenly appears.

It’s not difficult to intimidate nearly all coyotes.

Coyotes Do Help Control Vermin

Rather than being fearful of coyotes, there is another way to look at them: If you live in an urban area, you might consider giving them a thank-you for helping with rat control. They’re often found on golf course, because voles and other vermin live there, which they help out by controlling their numbers.

Coyotes may also take squirrels, rabbits. opossums, mice and, occasionally, raccoons.

Some coyotes have learned that human neighborhoods can provide easy meals from unsecured garbage. Also, don’t leave dog or cat food outside.

We can co-exist with coyotes, and understand they may actually be beneficial and provide little risk to us or our pets.