Coyotes hunt a variety of natural prey, prey that coyotes hunt include rabbits, rodents, squirrels, lizards, frogs, and even fish. 

They cannot tell the difference between their natural prey and pets, thus, they will prey on pets like dogs as well. But how do coyotes hunt dogs? This article looks into it. 

Coyotes will hunt dogs by stalking them, running after them, crushing the dog’s neck to subdue it, and then waiting for the dog to die before taking it to its den.

How do coyotes hunt dogs?

Depending on the size of the dog, a coyote will either hunt on its own or with another coyote. When a coyote pair hunts, they make sounds that make it seem as though there is a pack of coyotes on the prowl, not just two.

They have no preference when it comes to hunting at night or during the day and these animals can be very bold when hunting. These animals are bold enough to prey on your dog right in front of you.

Coyotes are opportunistic, they will change their diet to accommodate whatever prey is available, dogs included.

The process of a coyote hunting a dog:

When it’s time for a coyote to look for food it will go out to try and find suitable prey to stalk.

Once your dog is spotted, the coyote will make chase, nipping at your dog’s hind legs to slow it down and prevent escape. The average dog can run up to speeds of 15-20 miles per hour. A coyote can run up to 40 mph and will very likely outrun an average dog. 

Once caught, the coyote will bite the neck of the dog. Coyotes have strong jaws, this bite will compress the dog’s windpipe. A dog can only survive with no air for about four to six minutes. The coyote will hang on until the dog is dead.

After this, the coyote will drag the dog off to its den where it can eat in peace.

If a dog is on a leash, but not attached to a human, the coyote will grab the dog, leash included, and run off with it.

Dogs in yards are not safe either. If your fence is short enough for coyotes to jump over, then the coyote will grab the dog, drag it over the fence and run off with it 

Smaller dogs will be carried off to the coyotes’ den, if the dog is larger, it will be eaten on the spot.

Will coyotes hunt a small dog? 

Coyotes prefer to hunt small animals, small dogs included. These animals will definitely attack a small dog if they get the chance. There have even been reports on coyotes snatching small animals like small dogs, cats, squirrels, bunnies, and rodents. 

Small dogs and other small animals are relatively easy to hunt, catch and eat. These small animals usually can’t defend themselves too well. This makes them easier to kill and eat.

Even if your small dog does try to put up a fight, it will be no match for the coyote.

Coyotes are the size of about a medium-sized dog. This size difference makes it easy for coyotes to hunt small dogs. Attacks on smaller dogs will be fatal, and a single coyote will be able to kill a small dog.

Do coyotes attack medium-sized dogs? 

Medium-sized dogs are attacked less often than smaller-sized dogs but these dogs are still attacked by coyotes from time to time. 

Do coyotes hunt large dogs? 

Coyotes hunt larger prey, like deer. Both fawns and adult deer are hunted by coyotes. Deer are designed to be prey, they don’t have many options when it comes to defending themselves.

Large dogs have a better chance of defending themselves against coyotes, they aren’t seen as prey to coyotes. It is very rare for a single coyote to hunt a large, young and healthy dog. Coyotes will rather hunt geriatric dogs. 

Coyotes will have more success hunting large dogs if they hunt in pairs or in larger groups. In this case, both or many of the coyotes would need to be alphas to get the best result. 

Coyotes tend to attack large dog breeds such as golden retrievers and labrador retrievers. 

A coyote may also attack a large dog if it feels threatened. 

How to protect your dogs from coyotes: 

Practice caution: 

Suggesting that you keep your dog indoors at all times won’t be helpful.

If you choose to take your dog out, and if you know that there are coyotes in the neighborhood, it would be best to simply be cautious when walking with your dog. 

Protect yourselves: 

When walking your dog, remember to keep your pet on a leash at all times. Coyotes aren’t afraid of dogs but, they will keep away from dogs on leashes who are attached to humans.

It is also recommended that you carry a noisemaker, a walking stick, and/or mace for protection in case a coyote does decide to attack you or your dog

Tall fences:

Coyotes are very skilled at jumping, they can jump quite high, they can leap about three feet into the air. Coyotes can climb up any size fence as well, they do this by jumping and climbing to the top.

To keep coyotes out, install a six feet high fence around your property and install a roller bar at the top. Using a roller bar makes sure that the animals slip when they get to the top.

Do coyotes attack human beings? 

A coyote will likely not attack a human. Animals are generally afraid of humans, coyotes included. They may be dangerous predators but they still fear humans.

That being said, humans aren’t completely safe from coyote attacks. 

The best thing to do around coyotes is to simply ignore them. Don’t feed them, don’t approach them, and don’t allow your dog to approach them either

Conclusion 

In conclusion, if a coyote spots your dog and recognizes that it is a good prey to attack, or is unattended, then the animal will make chase.

To slow the dog down, the coyote will nip at its hind legs. The predator will then bite the dog by the neck between its teeth and suffocate it. Dogs can only go without air for 4-6 minutes.

After this, if the dog is small enough, the coyote will drag the dog off, it will eat the dog on-site if the dog is larger.

In general, coyotes will prefer to attack and eat smaller dogs and the occasional medium dog, they will only fight a large dog if it is geriatric or if the dog is threatening the coyote. 

You can keep your dog safe by walking it on a leash and installing a fence over six feet tall with roller bars at the top