Introduction

Now and then, as I survey my yard for wayward dog toys before I mow the grass, I discover a half-eaten carcass of a bird or chipmunk. While cleaning up this disgusting mess, I begin to worry about the dogs. Which one ate the prey? Will the culprit get sick from this gastronomic adventure?

I watch all three dogs carefully for signs of illness. Nine times out of 10, the dogs are fine. After all, domestic dogs (and cats) are carnivores, descended from a distant, wild ancestor that hunted, stalked, and killed other animals to live. Our pets retain many of these hunting instincts.

Hunting may be quite natural, but times are different. Those wild ancestors and even farm dogs and cats of 20 or 40 years ago didn't live with wide use of chemicals and pesticides, the proximity of neighbors, or the plethora of vehicles on busy streets. Allowing a dog to roam at large to hunt wildlife (and the neighbor's cats) in the 1990s is both illegal and dangerous, and can even be deadly to an unsuspecting family pet.

Wild animals do not recognize barriers erected by conscientious dog owners. Responsible pet owners can do little or nothing about chipmunks, birds, rabbits, turtles, or other critters that fly, dig, or climb into yards. However, the pet owner should be aware of the dangers and try to limit pet and wildlife encounters for the safety of both dog and critter.

Birds and other feeder visitors

People enjoy putting up bird feeders and watching the wild birds visit. Since dogs may eat bird seed and chase and catch ground-feeding birds, it's probably wise to place the feeder away from the dogs' exercise area. Ingesting seeds and hulls that fall on the ground under the feeder may cause dogs or cats to develop an upset stomach, particularly if they are moldy or if the seed is old and rancid. Otherwise, there is little danger.

Seeds on the ground attract mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks. Busily eating, these small animals can be easy quarry for a dog or cat. If caught, they can inflict cuts, bites, or scratches on the dog that can become infected. They may also harbor diseases, fleas, ticks, internal parasites, or be carrying poison that can affect a dog. There is some question about the impact some pesticides can have if the poisoned animal is eaten by a dog or cat. Anticoagulant rat poisons and rodent poisons containing cholecalciferol do not kill the target species instantly, so pets may ingest some poisons second-hand.

If a dog or cat eats an animal, he can assume the animal's burden of infection, parasites, or poisons. For example, eating a mouse infested with a certain flea that is an intermediate tapeworm host can cause the dog to develop a tapeworm. Rodents can also carry coccidia and giardia, protozoa that can also cause disease in dogs. Wild mice are intermediate hosts for the deer tick, a carrier of Lyme disease; squirrels can carry sarcoptic mange, a mite infestations that causes hair loss and intense itching and leaves the dog susceptible to bacterial skin infections. Virtually all mammals can carry rabies, although it is most prevalent in populations of raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. All dogs and cats should be vaccinated against rabies, for sporadic cases can crop up in reservoir populations of affected animals. However, in spite of state laws requiring dogs to be vaccinated, only about 40 percent of dogs are protected against rabies. Since few communities require that cats be vaccinated, few owners realize that rabies is a danger for their pets as well.

In humans, rabies is usually fatal.

Infected wildlife loses its innate fear of people and dogs and thus presents an easy target for a hunting pet. More than 30 years ago, Walt Disney Studios produced the tear-jerker movie Old Yeller about a dog who saved his family from a rabid wolf and recovered from the wounds of battle only to develop the disease himself. The movie ended with the father killing the dog, the same fate that awaits infected dogs today. The threat of rabies is the strongest argument in favor of vaccination, especially if your pet mingles with wildlife.

The value of collar and leash

Wildlife poses dangers even if dogs aren't successful hunters. Even well-trained dogs will chase squirrels if given half a chance, with sometimes fatal consequences. These two stories tell a tale that is all too common. One dog was a Weimaraner, the other a mixed breed. Both were trained to the utility level for competition. The incidents were separate; the owners didn't even know each other.

In both cases, the dogs were on excursions to local parks and were off-leash for exercise when they spotted a squirrel, took chase, and in the blink of an eye, were hit by cars and killed. So, when in a park or on a walk, always keep your dog on leash or a long line_ no matter how well-trained they are. After all, dogs are living beings, not machines, and tragedy only takes a split second.

Dogs and birds

Birds can get to wherever they want to be, so it's impossible to create a bird-free environment. Birds will nest in trees next to dog runs or in shrubs accessible to dogs, and their young may become a dog snack when attempting to leave the nest.

Dogs and cats love to chase birds as well. I have a friend whose Ibizan Hound has an uncanny knack for jumping up and catching birds on the wing. She worries that these birds are easy to catch because they are sick or have been poisoned and will infect her dog.

Beyond the worries of illness from eating an occasional backyard bird, dog owners must be careful to prevent their pets from chasing ducks and geese encountered in parks or on hikes. A dog cannot differentiate between domestic and wild fowl and could become a danger to farm flocks if allowed to stalk wild flocks without correction. Under Ohio law, farmers are well within their legal rights to shoot a dog menacing their livestock.

Birds of prey such as owls, hawks, and eagles can be a danger to dogs according to some accounts. One Newfoundland breeder reports that she took her five-week-old Newfoundland puppies outside on a beautiful spring day and almost lost one to a red-tailed hawk. The bird swooped down and snatched a puppy, but the Mannings' adult Corgi acted quickly, jumping and snapping at the hawk. Hawks, eagles, and vultures will grab a puppy or a kitten (or a tiny dog such as a Chihuahua or a teacup Poodle that weighs under 10 pounds).

Dogs and creepy-crawlies

A bite by a poisonous snake is as deadly to a dog or cat as it is to a human child. Many, perhaps most snakes that live in urban, suburban, and populated rural areas are non-poisonous, but even non-poisonous snakes have teeth and can latch on to an attacker and puncture skin. In this area, black racers and northern water snakes are particularly aggressive when threatened, especially when shedding their skins. The bites can become infected.

Poisonous snakes can be found in wooded areas of low population density, so dogs should not be allowed loose in state forests or other large, wooded areas or rocky hillsides lest they find a sleeping copperhead or uncover a den of massasauga or timber rattlers.

Box turtles are sources of amusement for puppies and adult dogs as they try to figure out just what this creature might be. Some larger dogs can bite through the turtle's shell in the attempt to find out, but generally box turtles are harmless but for the possibility of salmonella. Snapping turtles are another matter altogether. They are common in the tristate area, particularly in and around ponds, and can kill a puppy or kitten (or small dog) and amputate the toe, paw, or tail of a larger pet.

Amphibians_ frogs, toads, and salamanders_ may have poison glands that can cause intestinal distress in dogs. The common toad (Bufo americanus) often found in backyards in spring and summer, has two glands at the back of its head that produce a toxin that irritates mucous membranes. Most dogs instinctively avoid toads; those that don't learn quickly to leave the warty critters alone. The Bufo toxin can cause the dog to foam at the mouth; if the dog swallows the toad, he will most likely vomit it up in short order as the toxin irritates esophageal and stomach linings.

It is impossible to avoid all encounters between pets and wildlife. Even conscientious owners who never allow their dogs to roam free cannot keep squirrels, rabbits, birds, snakes, or turtles from climbing, digging, or flying into the yard. Most encounters end harmlessly, but there can be some dangers. So make sure your pet is properly vaccinated against diseases common to canines and wildlife and keep Fido on a leash or long line when away from home.

Is your dog a big game hunter?

If you had infrared vision and could watch your own backyard every night, you would be amazed at the variety of large wild animals that visit or travel through your property. Most of these animals are nocturnal, though it is not unusual to see any of these creatures in daylight. Dogs that encounter these larger animals usually get the worst end of the fight.

Raccoons and opossums are quite common in cities and suburbs and are probably the most likely large mammal a dog will encounter. Both animals easily climb over and under fences. Raccoons are notorious for raiding garbage cans, even in garages and sheds, and possums will seek out stashes of dog and cat food or kitchen garbage.

A dog discovering these opportunists is likely to attack without concern for his own safety. Opossums are likely to "play possum," and the dog may simply growl and poke at the animal that won't strike back. However, the raccoon is a vicious fighter and can kill even a medium-sized dog and several injure a larger pet. If a body of water is accessible, raccoons will lure a dog into the water, climb on its body or head, and force it under the surface. A raccoon can drown even a large dog.

Skunks are also very common in many areas. Anyone who has ever had to deal with a dog that has been "skunked" will never forget the ordeal. Tomato juice used to be the only way to cancel out the smell. Today, however, pet supply stores carry a variety of special skunk neutralizing solutions. Aside from the smell, a persistent dog that will maintain his attack will find out that skunks are quite formidable opponents and are capable of inflicting bites and scratches.

Red and gray foxes, are native to the region and comfortable living in proximity to man. Coyotes are moving into the area. Bobcats, not native but sometimes kept as exotic pets, and badgers, native to northern Ohio's dry, open country, are also spotted occasionally. Coyotes will breed with domestic dogs, producing hybrids known as coydogs that some people keep as pets. Dogs allowed to roam free will likely attack these animals when they can, and they usually don't fare very well in the encounters.

Wild or feral dogs and cats also cause problems for pets. These animals represent the dark side of the population dilemma; they are abandoned pets, carelessly discarded on rural roads by owners who cannot face the responsibility of taking an unwanted pet or litter of puppies to an animal shelter. Feral dogs roam in packs and will kill livestock, wild animals, and pet cats and dogs if given the opportunity. They reproduce freely among themselves, with coyotes, and sometimes with untended pet dogs.

Any of these mammals can inflict severe damage to a pet dog. Some of these animals will kill and eat a small dog or puppy. Scratch and bite wounds can require stitches or become infected. Dogs and cats can pick up parasites and infections such as giardia, coccidia, worms, and fungal infections. Raccoons can carry a parasite that can destroy a dog's vision.

Rabies and distemper are also a problem. Rabies can be transmitted to humans; pet dogs are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is endemic in a population of raccoons in many eastern areas and is believed to be spreading.

Distemper is a respiratory disease akin to pneumonia, is highly contagious, and is often fatal. Even if successfully treated, the dog may be debilitated. Since distemper cannot be transmitted to humans, many people are unaware that it exists and may fail to have their dogs vaccinated against it.

A normally shy wild animal will run from dogs and people. On the other hand, infected wild animals may appear to be friendly and affectionate, and may actually approach a dog, cat, or human and become an easy prey. As the animal becomes sicker, its behavior becomes more erratic. Copious discharges from eyes, nose, and mouth carry the germs. If the animal dies and a pet feeds on part of the carcass, he can become ill. The "D" in the DHLP multivalent vaccination is "distemper." A properly vaccinated dog or cat should be protected. About two percent of adult dogs and cats do not respond to the vaccines and are vulnerable to infection. Young puppies and kittens and old animals are also at risk. Feral dogs, unvaccinated owned dogs, and raccoons are vectors of the disease. The best defense is a good offense: visit the veterinarian for annual checkups and vaccinations, keep pets confined or leashed, and stay away from raccoons exhibiting strange behavior.

Deer

Deer belong in a category by themselves. This is the largest wild animal native to many eastern areas and is growing in population, leading to more frequent clashes with dogs. Deer are herbivores and do not compete with pets for food as raccoons, possums, foxes, and coyotes might do, but they can be dangerous nonetheless.

Deer are usually very shy but are becoming bolder in the search for forage in overpopulated areas. Although they do not bite (no upper front teeth!), they are quite capable of inflicting severe injury with sharp hooves and, during the breeding season in late winter, of slashing a dog with bony antlers. Deer also harbor parasites that can be dangerous to dogs. The deer tick is a vector for Lyme disease, which can affect dogs, horses, and people.

However, the biggest danger to dogs is that deer would rather flee than fight, and a dog would rather run than stay home. Deer can lead dogs on a frantic chase that winds up miles from home, exposing the dog to injury in the woods, traffic hazards, and to eventual incarceration in an animal shelter in another county or state. A chase during hunting season could result in a dog being shot by a hunter. Further danger comes when dogs accustomed to chasing deer take up chasing cattle, sheep, or horses; they may be shot by an irate farmer.

Wildlife is everywhere. Its proximity to civilization adds to the charm of sharing the Earth with a myriad of different creatures. Pet dogs and cats are descendants, cousins, so-to-speak, of some of these wild animals. Their ancestors chose human companionship over the call of the wild; in return for this friendship and help with our chores, we promised them care and protection. Modern pet owners adopted this oath as surely as the early man did with wolves and wild cats. So vaccinate your pets against these deadly diseases, check them for parasites, treat their wounds when they get involved in scraps, and protect them from danger by keeping them at home.

This page is © 1999, 2000 by DS G ra p hi x. Last updated 02 January 2000.

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