Yes, coyotes do prey on cats. These adaptable wild canids are opportunistic predators that have successfully expanded their range into many urban and suburban environments. Understanding coyote behavior and implementing effective preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk to household pets. This article explores how coyotes hunt and feed, factors that increase a cat’s vulnerability, and practical strategies for pet owners to protect their feline companions.
Coyote Hunting and Feeding
Coyotes are opportunistic predators with a diverse diet, including small mammals, birds, insects, and fruits. Their ability to adapt their diet based on food availability allows them to thrive in human-dominated landscapes, readily incorporating human-associated food sources.
Domestic cats, being similar in size to many of a coyote’s natural prey and frequently roaming unsupervised, can become targets of opportunity. While some studies indicate that cats make up a small percentage (1-2%) of coyote diets in many urban areas, others show higher figures, such as 20% in urban Southern California or even up to 42% in specific regions like Tucson, Arizona. This predation is a natural extension of their hunting behavior, driven by accessibility rather than a specific preference for cats.
Factors That Increase Risk for Cats
Certain factors increase a cat’s risk of encountering coyotes. Unsupervised outdoor access, especially during dawn, dusk, and night, increases vulnerability, as coyotes are most active then. A cat’s natural behaviors, like roaming and hunting, along with their lack of predator awareness, make them susceptible. Additionally, a cat’s top speed (20-30 mph) is insufficient to escape a coyote, which can reach 45 mph.
The presence of easily accessible food sources also draws coyotes into residential areas, inadvertently increasing the threat to pets. Outdoor food and water bowls for pets, unsecured trash cans, and fallen fruit from trees can attract coyotes. Kittens, along with older or sick cats, are especially vulnerable due to their reduced agility and experience in avoiding predators.
Preventive Measures for Cat Owners
The most effective method to protect cats from coyotes is to keep them indoors, especially during dawn, dusk, and night. For cats enjoying outdoor time, secure enclosures known as “catios” provide safe access without predator exposure. These structures allow cats to experience fresh air and sunlight while remaining protected.
Implementing deterrents around the home can discourage coyotes. Motion-activated lights and sprinklers can startle and repel them from a yard. Securing all potential food attractants is also important. Bring pet food and water bowls inside, ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids, and regularly clean up fallen fruit.
Fences offer some protection, but to be effective against coyotes, they should be at least six feet tall and may require features such as roller bars or buried wire to prevent climbing or digging. When cats are outdoors, direct supervision is recommended, and retractable leashes should be avoided as they allow pets to stray too far.
Understanding and Responding to Coyote Presence
Living in areas with coyotes involves understanding their presence and responding appropriately. Signs of coyote activity include distinctive tracks, which are more oval and follow a straighter line than dog tracks, and rope-like scat often containing hair and bone fragments. Their vocalizations, such as howls, yips, and barks, also indicate their presence.
If a coyote approaches, “hazing” techniques can help reinforce their natural avoidance of humans. This involves making yourself appear large by waving your arms, making loud noises by shouting, or using an air horn or banging pots and pans. Throwing small objects like sticks or tennis balls towards the coyote, but not directly at it, can also be effective. It is important to never intentionally feed coyotes, as this can lead to them losing their natural fear of humans and becoming bolder. Any aggressive or unusually bold coyote behavior should be reported to local animal control to ensure community safety and promote responsible human-wildlife coexistence.