Do Coyotes Attack Dogs? 7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe

No one wants to ever be in a position where they have to try and rescue their furry friend from a coyote. Coyotes can do a lot of damage. Although coyotes and dogs are in the same family, this doesn’t mean they get along. Coyotes are wild animals and have a different social structure compared to pet dogs. They attack when scared, intimidated, and hungry. But is your pup at risk? And if yes, what can you do to prevent an attack? Follow along to learn if coyotes attack dogs and an additional seven ways to keep your dog safe.

Do Coyotes Attack Dogs?

Coyote attacks on dogs aren’t super common. While a coyote won’t immediately try to snatch your dog when you’re outside, it’s still good to be vigilant. Generally, coyotes are more likely to attack small dogs, than they are larger dog breeds. This is likely because they are easier to hunt. 

According to the Urban Coyote Research Project, in the Chicago metropolitan area, coyote attacks on pets increased. In this study, the researchers noted that most coyote attacks happened during the winter, likely close to the breeding season.

Coyotes are strong, but not all attacks are fatal. Interestingly, coyotes don’t have to bite or scratch to harm your pet. They can also spread fleas, ticks, and diseases.

7 Ways to Prevent Coyote Attacks and Keep Your Dog Safe

Now that we know if coyotes attack dogs, we can discuss how to keep our pups safe! There are many ways to prevent coyote attacks on your dog. Listed below are seven ways to protect your dog from coyote attacks. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the easier it is to avoid this situation.

1. Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Even with a leash, coyotes and other wildlife animals can still attack your dog, but it makes it harder. Although many attacks are unprovoked, our furry friends are unpredictable. If you leave your dog out without a leash on your walks, they may get excited or scared and chase a coyote. Not only should you walk your dog on a leash, but the leash needs to be short.

2. Do Not Feed Wildlife

Another way to keep your dog safe from coyote attacks is to lower the chances of having them come to your yard. While coyotes are cute, it’s important to not feed wildlife. This doesn’t just mess with their diets, but it also makes them feel more comfortable around humans. If you feed a coyote, it’s more likely to come back.

3. Build a Tall Fence

A fence won’t keep a coyote out of your home forever, but it makes it harder for them to come. Instead of building a simple wooden or metal fence though, you can get creative. There are specific coyote-resistant fences that are hard to scale and jump over. It’s best to use metal fences as wood can slowly wear away with time, leaving gaps for coyotes and other wildlife to slip through. The fence should also go slightly underground, as coyotes are excellent diggers. Even with these measures though, coyotes are cunning and may still make it to your backyard. Coyotes can jump as high as 8 feet, climbing over fences.

4. Always Monitor Your Pup Outside

The fourth way to keep your dog safe from a coyote attack is to never let your eyes off of them. This can either mean never allowing them outdoors unsupervised, or always going outside with them. Even your backyard isn’t 100% safe as coyotes can scale fences and dig underneath them.

5. Regularly Clean Your Yard

Regularly cleaning your backyard and front yard can keep coyotes away. Coyotes are attracted to food and scents. This includes food like your dog’s feces, so always scoop your pup’s poop. If you do, there is less of a chance a curious or hungry coyote will find their way to your home.

6. Close or Limit Doggy Doors

Doggy doors are a great way to give your pup freedom, but if you live somewhere where coyotes are present, this can be dangerous. Not only can your dog go outside and get attacked without you knowing, but a coyote may even enter your home through this small space. Close the doggy door or eliminate it.

7. Walk Your Dog Near Lights

Last but not least is to only walk your dog near bright lights. Not only does this make it easier to spot coyotes near your furry friend, but coyotes are less likely to expose themselves in the light. You can even use bright lights in your yard or motion lights to scare coyotes away.