Protect Your Pets from Predators with Top-Rated Products

While predator attacks on pets are rare, as humans continue to encroach on their habitats, these attacks are becoming more common. Wild animals like bobcats, coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls are being driven from their homes and forced to live much nearer to humans than either they or we would like. A post and the ensuing comments on my neighborhood’s Nextdoor feed about a recent coyote attack conveyed just how traumatic such incidents are for those who witness or hear them, especially for the neighbor whose pet won’t be coming home. The good news is that there is protective gear for a variety of pets, from chickens to fish to our four-legged friends. Continue reading to discover seven products that will keep small pets safe from predators.

Pet Body Armor

Coyote Vest Body Armor looks cool while it protects your pet from predator attacks. Designed with deterrent spikes, the vests are lightweight and comfortable and come in a variety of bright colors. The vest can be accessorized with a throat guard, coyote whiskers, and hawkeyes for added protection. A fleece liner is available for cold weather.

Coyote Vest was founded by Pamela and Paul Mott after they lost their dog, Buffy, to a wild animal attack. The company, which has been around since 2015, appeared on the season 10 finale of Shark Tank in 2019. Though Coyote Vest didn’t receive an offer, the company has continued to grow, thanks to the quality and efficacy of their pet body armor. Hundreds of five-star customer reviews speak to the security and peace of mind Coyote Vest body armor offers, as well as the cuteness factor of the coyote whiskers. Check out Coyote Vest‘s line of body armor, starting at $49.99, and related accessories.

PredatorBWear Canine Predator Protection Harness

Small dogs are already 100% adorable. Add a spiked protection harness from PredatorBwear, and not only are they even cuter, but also much safer. Founded by Alison and Janice, PredatorBwear has been protecting pups one spike at a time since 2020. The founders, veterinary professionals, had witnessed too many animals injured by wild predators, as well as aggressive dogs. Wishing to do something to spare pets and their guardians from similar trauma, they developed their spiked protection harness. Available in six sizes from mini to large and five brilliant colors, PredatorBwear‘s canine protection harnesses are $86.00.

Raptor Shield

Raptor Shield was established by brothers Michael and William Caruso after their dog Daisy was attacked by a red-tailed hawk. Daisy, a 10-pound silky terrier, survived the attack, but left the brothers searching for something that would shield Daisy from future harm. Coming up empty, the guys decided to take matters into their own hands, establishing Raptor Shield in 2016. The polycarbonate vest is lightweight and comfortable, and offers top-notch protection from birds of prey and other wild animals. Raptor Shield is based in Illinois, and its pet protection products are made in the U.S. Raptor Shield vests are available in four sizes, from XS, $75.50, for dogs weighing 2-3 pounds to large, $79.50 for dogs weighing 12-21 pounds.

Hawk AWAY!™

Holly, the dynamo behind this one-woman enterprise, started her first Etsy shop, Hatz 4 Bratz, in 2006. As her line expanded to include more items, Holly opened her own website, Spoiled Bratz Wear, and she has been busy sewing her brilliant creations ever since. From Tinklepadz™, eco-friendly, washable pet diapers and K9 Sunwear™ UV Protection, Holly’s line is filled with captivating designs. Her Hawk AWAY!™ is a new item.

“I just launched it last year, and it’s been a nice addition to the line,” Holly says. “We live in the country, and hawks are always a threat. I did some research about deterrents and discovered that flashing lights disorient hawks,” she continues. “It’s hard for hawks to focus, and these fabrics have a shiny, twinkle flash to them.” The fabric is lightweight, stretchy, and also offers 50+ UPF sun protection. See the Hawk AWAY!™, $32.50, and all of Holly’s other amazing designs at Spoiled Bratz Wear.

Coyote Roller

Coyotes can easily scale six-foot fences and have been seen leaping over fences as high as eight feet, sometimes using their hind legs to propel themselves over even taller barriers. However, the innovative design of the Coyote Roller means that those with fenced yards no longer need to worry. Coyote Rollers are 4-foot-long aluminum tubes that easily attach to the top of any fence and spin when animals attempt to climb the fence, effectively keeping them out. Or in. It works both ways. If you have an escape artist, the Coyote Roller keeps them safely inside the fence. The rollers are easy to install, maintenance-free, made in the U.S., and built to last. Coyote Rollers are available from a single 4-foot tube with mounting brackets ($36.83) to a 252-foot kit for $2,080.94.

Bird*B*Gone Pond Defender

Four-legged pets aren’t the only ones in need of predator protection. As a pond keeper, I have had the experience of watching as a hawk swooped in, grabbed one of my fish, Goldie III, in its beak, and flew away. This incident prompted me to cover the pond with an unsightly net that tamped down the aquatic plants. I have since given up on keeping fish, but Bird*B*Gone’s Pond Defender grid system is giving me ideas. Unlike the netting, the Pond Defender disks float on the water, protecting the fish below while still allowing plants to thrive.

Each package of Bird*B*Gone Pond Defender contains 12 interlocking disks that can be configured to fit just about any pond. The 12-pack covers a surface area of 16 feet for a round pond, or 14.5 feet for a rectangular pond. Reviews suggest that the disks keep birds at bay while being practically invisible and almost undetectable. See the Bird*B*Gone Pond Defender 12 pack, $29.99, along with their other pond-related items.

Chicken Coop Predator Protection Kit

The durable and easy-to-install vinyl-coated wire mesh bottom extender is designed to keep coyotes, foxes, raccoons, rodents, skunks, and snakes out of your coop. The galvanized, vinyl-coated steel mesh is 1″ x 1″ and connects to your existing coop with zip ties and to the ground with galvanized U-stakes. The mesh prevents would-be predators from burrowing into the coop. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, though several customers noted that including more U-stakes would be helpful. The kit is available in three sizes, designed specifically for the Chicken Coop Company’s models, but it is also compatible with other brands. Check out The Chicken Coop Company‘s predator protection kits, $74.99 – $104.99, and their other chicken-centric merch