As National Wildlife Week wraps up, we would like to take a moment and remind our neighbors about the importance of being aware of our local wildlife, and how to keep our pets safe from resourceful predators.
Coyotes
Coyotes can be a significant problem in many areas of Colorado. Unfortunately, coyotes have very little reason to avoid populated areas, where food and shelter are plentiful. If you are approached by a coyote while walking your dog, don’t turn your back or run away. If you have a small-breed dog, pick it up into your arms. For larger breeds, put the dog behind you, so that you stand between the coyote and your pet.
The Humane Society of the United States recommends hazing as a community wide training method for coyotes. Hazing is an effective way of preventing problems during a coyote encounter. To haze a coyote, you enhance your stature by raising your arms and making yourself appear larger, then make as much noise as possible. Yell, wave your arms and clap. Throw small stones or sticks, if any are within reach. The idea is not to harm, but to startle. Most of the time, hazing will scare the coyote and cause it to retreat.
Red Foxes
Red foxes are an important part of our ecosystem, but are not necessarily pet friendly. These critters help keep the populations of rodents and snakes under control, but they also are creatures of opportunity that will gladly eat pet food or prey on birds and squirrels that feed in your backyard feeders.
The key to preventing interaction between red foxes and pets is to not encourage the foxes to come into your yard in the first place. Never leave food out for your dog or the neighborhood cats, don’t leave trash at the curb overnight, and never feed red foxes intentionally.
Because foxes can, and do, interact with pets in fenced yards, it is important to make certain your pets are up to date on all vaccinations, including the rabies vaccine. If you encounter a red fox while walking your pet, coyote hazing techniques are effective on foxes, as well.
Rattlesnakes
The prairie rattlesnake is a venomous snake found in our area by pets and people alike. It has a diamond shape head with light striping around the eyes and nose, and a black band near the tail.
Depending on age and health, rattlesnakes may or may not have a rattle, so don’t judge the snake by sound alone. Luckily, these snakes are not aggressive, and will not attack unless threatened. However, it doesn’t take much for a rattlesake to feel threatened, especially when it’s startled by a curious dog. Train your dog to avoid rattlesnakes, and keep your pet on-leash when hiking the foothills and trails.
If your dog does get bit, call us immediately, time is of the essence when it comes to successfully treating a snake bite.
Wildlife Awareness
By keeping pets on leashes and being aware of our surroundings, most wildlife related accidents can be avoided. Never leave small breeds outdoors unattended, even in fenced yards. Likewise, keep vaccinations and parasite preventatives up-to-date, and discourage wildlife from staying in your neighborhood with proper sanitation and hazing.