How to Keep Our Pets Safe From Wild Animals

1. Build a fence

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One super easy way to prevent wildlife from getting into your yard is by building a fence (or getting someone else to build one for you). A large six-foot fence is ideal, as they give your pets more protection and stop those sneaky wild animals from bothering them. It’s also a really good idea for your fence to extend underground; you should realistically be looking at around 18 inches to prevent pesky foxes from burrowing their way under the fence, but this might not be practical for some gardens.

2. Add motion-active lights to your fence

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Once you’ve got your new fence built, you can go one step further to keep your pets safe. Try adding motion-activated lights along your fence to scare wild animals away from your garden; this will deter any predators that somehow make it past your fence. These lights are particularly good at startling and disorienting creatures like badgers, foxes, raccoons and deer, which makes them less likely to return to your garden. They can also work effectively on domestic animals like cats, who may be on the prowl for your pets.

3. Get rid of the poop

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This might seem like an obvious point to make, but too many pet owners fail to keep their yards free from poop. Not only is this super unhygienic, but it can also affect your pets’ safety too. Some canine predators like coyotes are incredibly territorial, so if they smell another animal’s poop, they might see it as a threat to their area. And this means they’ll be on the lookout for the animal that’s threatening their space – even if it is your tiny little pug. Scooping the poop and disposing of it removes some of the pheromones, which means your pet will draw far less attention from wildlife in your area.

4. Feed your pets indoors

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While it might be tempting to give your pet a few tasty treats outside, try and avoid this if you can. Switch things up and feed your pets inside instead. Scraps of food left outside are a big no-no, as this will quickly attract wildlife in your neighborhood. Some animals may even travel from miles around for those scraps if they’re that hungry! If wild animals manage to get themselves a free meal, they might start hanging around your yard more often, or make your yard their new hunting patch. And this puts your pets in serious jeopardy.

5. Make sure your bins are sealed

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If you’re worried about your pets’ safety, one really basic thing you can do is to make sure your bins are properly sealed. While some creatures like raccoons are pretty good at getting into the trash, you’ll naturally want to minimize their opportunities for encroaching on your pet’s territory. If your bins lock, make sure you seal them tightly, and fully close the door behind you if your bins are kept in a specific area of your apartment building. The last thing you want is pests and wildlife getting into your home!

6. Keep your pet on a leash

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Your pets may benefit from having a run around off a leash from time to time, but it’s really important that you try and keep them on their leash if you can. All too often, owners think their pets will be fine, but this is precisely how they end up running away, getting lost, or potentially getting injured by wildlife (or by other pets). Leashing walking is therefore crucial to your pet’s safety, and stops them from being carried off. Bears have been known to attack dogs, and there are even reports of hawks swooping down and carrying pets away.

7. Keep pets away from bushy and heavily wooded areas

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While we’re on the subject of letting pets off of leashes, it’s also worth bearing in mind that it might not be the best idea to let your fur baby sniff around overgrown bushy and wooded areas. These are prime habitats for snakes and other dangerous creatures, which can cause your pet serious harm, or even death. If you have lots of bushy, wooded areas in your yard, trim plants and trees down to deter wildlife from making them their home. This should help keep your pets safe and away from potential predators.

8. Keep on top of vaccinations

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As pet owners will know all too well, sometimes accidents happen. Which is why it’s essential to keep up with all your pet’s vaccinations! If a wild animal happens to attack your furry friend, vaccinations will give your pet the best possible chances of survival and recovery. It’s especially important to vaccinate your pets against diseases like rabies, which is usually spread through bites from animals like coyotes, raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats. In some states, pets that have been bitten need to quarantine at a vet’s for around 2 weeks. And those without vaccinations can face being euthanized.

9. Don't feed wildlife

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Some people really do love feeding wildlife – just like in this picture. But if you have pets, or there are pets in the neighborhood, this isn’t the best of ideas. This just attracts predators to your yard, which your pets definitely won’t thank you for. Even something as innocent as putting a squirrel feeder out might attract larger animals who will want to hunt a squirrel, and, in turn, may want to end up attacking or eating your furry friend too. Avoid this at all costs if you live in an area with bears!

10. Don't let your pet go out at night alone

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One simple, effective way to keep your pets safe from predators is to make sure that they’re not left on their own in the backyard at night – even for just a few minutes. Predators can strike at any time (especially if you live in an area that has coyotes and snakes) so be sure to thoroughly check your yard with a flashlight before letting your furry friend out. It’s also a good idea to bring animals in cages inside at night (like rabbits) as they will be a sitting target for foxes and other wildlife.

11. Keep rocks and sticks handy

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This might sound like an odd bit of advice, but keeping things like rocks and sticks handy in your yard isn’t a bad idea. If you DO happen to come across wildlife in your garden, or your pet is seriously under threat, you can throw rocks at the animals in question, or use some sticks to beat it away from you and your pet. You might not think you’ll ever need them – and we hope you don’t! But rocks and sticks can be incredibly useful in an emergency, and may stop your pet from being carried away or hurt.

12. Don't leave water bowls outside

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This is pretty similar to the food situation. While it might be a nice gesture to leave water bowls out in your yard for wildlife, especially in high temperatures, you need to exercise caution with this. If you have pets, you could actually be compromising their safety, as wild animals will be attracted to your garden for the water supply. If they know they can get water without any threat, they’ll keep coming back for more, and may end up seeing your yard as part of their territory. If you want to leave water out for wild animals, do it in a place away from your property!

13. Keep a first aid kit handy

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If your beloved pet ends up getting attacked, it’s a really good idea to have a pet first aid kit handy. If you don’t want to buy one, you can easily make your own at home! You’ll need to include items like tweezers, adhesive tape, an ice pack, disposable gloves, cotton buds and swabs, scissors with a blunt end, and fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting (be sure to check in with your vet about whether this is safe for your pet before you give it to them). These items can be really helpful in an emergency.

14. Keep your eyes on them at all times

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How often have you seen an owner distracted on their phone while their pet runs wild? We definitely have! This is a definite no-no, as pets can get up to all sorts of mischief when we’re not looking – and they can end up in unsafe situations too. This is why it’s super important to keep an eye on your pet at all times, especially when out in nature. Depending on what part of the country you’re in, you could risk losing your pet to bears, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, hawks and snakes, so tread carefully.

15. Keep your site clean if you're camping

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Keen to take your furry friends with you on your next camping trip? This is becoming much more common these days (and cat owners are getting in on the act too!) so it’s wise to take a few precautions. Be sure to keep your camping area super clean, as you definitely won’t want to attract wildlife when you’re out in the open. Not only does it put your pet at risk, but it puts you at risk too. Tidy all your garbage away, and be sure to dispose of it properly before you leave your site. If there are no garbage bins nearby, be sure to take your trash home with you.

16. Call a professional animal service if you see wildlife in your area

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If you end up seeing a wild animal in your yard that you’re concerned about (like the one above) then it’s a really good idea to give a professional animal control service a call. They will be able to help you and keep your yard safe. Just remember that the longer a wild animal has had access to your yard, the more likely it is that a dangerous situation may arise – which can be a huge threat to your pets and your home. Stay vigilant, and if there’s a wild animal in your garden, you should definitely keep yourself and your furry friends inside.

17. Organize escape routes

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If you happen to be out in nature and you come across a wild animal, the golden rule is don’t approach. Which seems pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many people try and take selfies with wildlife! It’s a seriously bad idea to get close to an animal, as this is when creatures can get unpredictable and stressed. Be sure to leave a clear path or escape route for the animal to flee and stay as far away from it as possible. Try and pick your pet up too to make sure they’re out of harm’s way.

18. Get defensive

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While we’re not suggesting that you charge toward wild animals in an effort to protect your pet, it can be a good idea to get defensive. You can try and stop an animal approaching by making lots of noise to scare it away; stomp your feet, yell, shout, and throw rocks and sticks if you can. Some also suggest that you should try and make yourself appear bigger to intimidate the wild animal (this is something animals do a lot to ward off predators). Carefully pick up your pet, but try not to draw too much attention to this; the wild animal might end up seeing them as the easier target.

19. Avoid areas known for wild animal sightings

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Protecting your pet is all about common sense. Keeping your furry friend away from areas that are well-known for wild animal activity is generally a good idea, as it minimizes the risk of your pet coming into contact with a creature that could injure it. This might get a little more tricky if you happen to live in a rural area that’s full of wildlife, but if you live in a city, town or suburban area, this is a whole lot easier to accomplish. Your pet’s safety is your responsibility, so be sure to take this seriously.

20. Take your pet to the vet if they're injured

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If your pet has been bitten, scratched or attacked (or you suspect this has happened) make sure you get them to a professional veterinarian straight away. Every second counts! Your furry friend might need surgery if their injuries are severe, and pills may be required to counter bacteria and diseases from a bite. Try and stay calm and be as reassuring as you can to your pet, as they will naturally be stressed and scared in this situation. They’ll also need plenty of rest and care when they’re allowed home.

Animals that pose a threat to pets... 1. Bears

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Bears are foragers, so will end up in yards and gardens on their quest for food. Grizzly bears and brown bears can be found in the likes of Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, Idaho and Washington, while black bears are pretty common in the Pacific Northwest’s mountains and forests, as well as in the upper Midwest, the Rocky Mountains and some southern states. If you happen to see or hear one, calmly and quietly go inside and take your pet with you. If you’re out in nature or camping, dogs can sometimes run toward bears, so keep them on a leash at all times.

2. Coyotes

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Coyotes are super territorial, so they can be a major threat to your pets. They’re pretty confident about entering suburban neighborhoods, and generally attack at dusk or dawn. Coyotes are known for attacking small dogs and cats as they roam around yards, and because coyotes have sharp teeth and claws, their attacks are serious and can often require surgery. In some cases, coyote attacks can even prove fatal. Monitor your pets carefully and don’t leave them outside on their own, as it may cost your furry friend their life.

3. Rattlesnakes

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Snakes can be a bit of a problem for people with pets – especially rattlesnakes. They’re known for the unique sound they can produce from their tail, which generally happens when the animal is stressed or under threat. Rattlesnakes tend to come out during the spring and summer months (they hibernate through winter) so you’ll need to pay close attention to your furry friend. Rattlesnakes are venomous, and bites require immediate antivenin. While dogs can usually ward off rattlesnakes, other pets like cats and rabbits are the perfect prey for them.

4. Porcupines

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While porcupines might not enter yards as often as rattlesnakes, coyotes and bears, they can still pose a big risk to your pets – and to humans too! Their quills essentially act as fish hook barbs to keep the porcupine safe from predators, and they can easily puncture skin and muscles. While you might think you can easily remove quills from skin, think again; instead of coming out, they can actually move inwards, which risks damage to internal organs. And if that wasn’t enough, their quills can also carry tons of bacteria and diseases.

5. Deer

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Deer are nowhere near as dangerous as the other wild animals on this list, but you should still be cautious. When deer enter their rutting season, it isn’t that unusual for a buck to attack animals and people that get a little bit too close to them. While humans can generally withstand a deer attack, pets are in jeopardy; they can stamp on your furry friends and cause them serious injury. They usually come out at dusk and dawn, so again, it’s a good idea to keep your pets inside during those times.

6. Alligators

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If you live in Florida, Louisiana or certain areas of South Carolina, you’ll know that alligator attacks are an all-too-common threat to your pet – and yourself! This is why it’s really important to be careful around bodies of water, as there might be an alligator lurking in there. Be sure to keep your pet on a lead near lakes, swamps and rivers, and don’t let them walk too close to the edge of the water. If you spot an alligator, walk away from it, and don’t give it any food under any circumstances. Not only is it illegal, but encourages alligators to encroach on human spaces!

7. Skunks

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Skunks might not seem like the most dangerous wild animal out there, but if your pet encounters one, it can be a very unpleasant experience for them. Not only will the smell from the skunk hit them as hard as a punch in the stomach would, but the front claws of the skunk are super powerful – which means they can seriously injure your furry friend. And if that wasn’t enough, skunks are also known to carry rabies and other diseases, which they will pass on to other animals if they end up biting them.

8. Rats

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Rats can be found absolutely everywhere, and they’re super comfortable in both rural and urban areas. They are intelligent, aggressive, and will find their way into pretty much anywhere where there’s food. This is why it’s really important to keep all of your garbage contained; make sure the lids are on properly, and don’t leave any food out in your yard. Rats carry a lot of diseases like rabies, which they can easily pass onto your furry friend, so be sure to watch over them carefully – especially at night.

9. Bobcats

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Bobcats are also known as wildcats, and can be found in tons of states in the US. And there have been a fair few bobcat attacks in both Massachusetts and Arizona. These animals are part of the lynx family, and are double the size of a typical domestic cat. They can be found everywhere from deserts and swamps to suburbs and woodland areas, so they’re fairly versatile. Bobcats are nocturnal, so they’re a particular threat to your pet during the night, but they still occasionally make appearances during the day too. Be on your guard at all times, and be sure to keep your fur baby on a leash.

10. Scorpions

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Scorpions are native to the Southwestern states of the US, and can cause harm to both pets and humans. Their venom can be deadly, so take care when stepping out into your yard in scorpion season. They can take shelter in clothing and footwear left outside during the day, so be sure to take them back into your home. And if you spot your pet tracking or chasing something, watch them closely; a nasty sting from a scorpion will require an immediate trip to the vet. If notice your furry friend limping or seems sick after spending time outside, you’ll need to get them checked over by a professional.