You may assume there aren’t any coyotes in your neighborhood because you don’t see them, or because you think more populated areas are “safe.” But assuming anything can be dangerous for your pets — especially any cat(s) allowed to roam outside.
Of course, if you allow your cat(s) to wander, you’ve probably already considered the general dangers and threats — like getting hit by a car, bitten by a dog, or catching a disease. In that case, you’ve already decided that your cat’s freedom is worth the risk. Your next step, then, is to learn how to best protect your cat from the jaws of wandering coyotes.
Cats and Coyotes
Coyotes are most fond of hunting small mammals. While mice and rabbits may be easier to snag, a coyote won’t refuse a cat if it’s easy prey. Our pet cats tend to be tame, which means an easy meal for a coyote. In fact, a National Park Service study has shown that cats make up 20% of urban coyotes’ diets.
“But,” you think, “maybe my cat can get away from a coyote if it’s caught?” Unfortunately, it can’t. A cat cannot outrun a coyote (which can run 40 mph), and your cat will suffer a brutal death once it’s caught (based on descriptive reports).
Since a pet cat is a member of the family (for the majority of cat owners, anyway), losing one of these precious beings can be especially devastating. Not to mention the emotional trauma from imagining the gory details of your pet’s suffering and demise.
Steps to Protect Outdoor Cats from Coyotes
Taking a handful of necessary steps can go a long way in preventing the tragedy of a pet cat’s premature death. The sense of reassurance that comes from knowing you’re safeguarding your cat from coyotes is immeasurable.
Our Nite Guard Solar predator deterrent specialists have listed some tips to help you keep coyotes away from your cat(s).
Tip 1: Secure Outside Food Sources
As most anyone knows if their property has ever been paid a visit by a coyote, these predators are fairly indiscriminate in their food preferences. Whatever is easily accessible becomes a source of food.
- If possible, store garbage in animal-proof containers or inside of a secured structure, (like a shed or a garage). Feed your cats during the day and at the same time, then pick up and dispose of any leftovers. If you proactively remove appetizing food scents and sources, coyotes will most likely lose interest.
- In addition to garbage, consider other potential sources of food that can be found on your property like fruit trees, bird feeders, or a garden. If coyotes get used to grazing in your yard, they’ll be perfectly situated to grab your cat when it wanders home for dinner. Gather fruit from trees, take down bird feeders, and get rid of anything rotting in your garden. If there’s nothing appetizing left out for a coyote, it won’t bother to come around.
Tip 2: Protect Cats from Coyotes with a Fence
If you want to go the fence route, you’ll need your fence to be at least six feet tall. Then you’ll want to add a roller bar or a 15-inch woven-wire extension to the top. You can additionally extend wire into the ground, or install a wire apron to keep persistent coyotes from digging under the fence and arriving in your yard for a feast.
Tip 3: Keep Coyotes Away from Cats with Cat Posts
In open areas, cat posts can be effective. They’ll at least give pursued cats somewhere to rest out of a coyote’s reach. A cat post is a long piece of wood (typically a 4×4 or corner post) that reaches 10-12 feet above ground. These types of posts can be easily climbed by cats, but they’re not accessible to coyotes.
Tip 4: Protect Outdoor Cats by Hazing Coyotes
If you do happen to see a coyote on your property, get aggressive. Coyote harassment can discourage them from coming back. If you make a scene and they feel uncomfortable, your property will fall further down their preferred location list.
Tip 5: Protect Outdoor Pets with Coyote Repellent Lights
Through first-hand experience and by working with our loyal customers, the Nite Guard Solar team is very familiar with threats posed by various predators. Our red coyote-repellent LED lights give cat owners like you and an easy and maintenance-free solution to coyote problems.
Nite Guard Solar lights continually emit red flashes of light, which are recognized as predator eyes. Being “watched” will initiate a coyote’s survival instinct, and the animal will run for safety, leaving your property and your family cat catastrophe-free. It’s simple to install Nite Guard Solar lights, though the specifics are determined by the size of your property. Reach out to our Nite Guard Solar team for assistance.
We hope that the simple strategies we’ve outlined here will help you and your family feel confident that the family cat is safe.
Questions?
We welcome your questions and comments about our Nite Guard Solar lights. Give us a call at 1-800-328-6647 or send us an email. We always enjoy hearing from you!
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