Any thoughts on the coyote vests for cats?

[Marthe48]

My daughter lives in a country setting, and has predators such as coyotes, bobcats, and foxes. She has a young cat who is supposed to be indoors, but gets out and wants out. If that happens, someone goes out to keep an eye on him. I wonder if the predator vests are helpful? If not for protection, maybe discourage the cat from wanting to go out if you buckle him into one?

Thanks for any comments

[Polly Hennessey]

1. Did not know they existed. Looked them up. Wow!

Seems it would be worth a try if predators are a definite problem. I would certainly keep my cat indoors at night.

[Marthe48]

3. It's become a battle

I go over to walk their dogs and the kitty lurks by the door waiting for an opportunity. He got out once when I was getting the dogs in. He stayed close to the house. My grandson caught him and brought him in.

I wish he was like their other kitty. She is thrilled to be in, on the couch, looking out

[Goonch]

2. ;-{)

[hlthe2b]

4. There is a reason why so many "Lost cat" signs go up in predator country--whether mammalian or raptor threats...

Build an enclosed kitty condo on the patio or teach them to wear a halter and walk on a vest outdoors ONLY with a human caretaker.

Nothing else is even remotely safe. Not to be too graphic, but there is nothing about the coyote vest that protects the head, and as one who unfortunately sees the carcass "parts" left after predators in my area get through with them--well. consider that...

[Nigrum Cattus]

5. coyotes have killed many neighborhood cats here before

they do grab them by the neck
the problem is coyotes hunt in at least pairs, sometimes groups
my vet has said that small dogs have been attacked while
being walked with a human, so they are very aggressive.

[Marthe48]

6. It's a sad reality

They've got chickens, too, and have endured losses over the years because of foxes and bobcats. The threats rise and fall with the season, but we're always watchful.

[slightlv]

9. I keep a sharp wye out for

Small cats and kittens. While I've not had coyotes i have a fox who visits once in a while. And have a neighborhood full of barreod owls. Kittens and small cats are no match for them. I have 7 cats and not one of them has the desire to go caterwauling... they're quite happy in their climate controlled digs. And we created a catio with a run from the house to the catio so they can "go out" anytime they want. They're safe and the birds and small animals around us are safe.

[mopinko]

7. something to remember- they arent coyotes, they're coywolves.

coyotes were wiped out in this country. the 1s that repopulated it r hybrids w wolves and domestic dogs.
they arent the shy critter that actual coyotes r. some r huge, too.

had 1 scoping my chickens when i had them. a neighbor saw 1 coming him in the middle of the night. swore it was a wolf. said it was standing at my fence and glaring. when he approached it loped off down the alley. there’s a railroad track at the end of the block. there’s a 6’ retaining wall at the base. said the critter bounded up it like it wasnt there.

[Marthe48]

8. We got some pictures over the years

When my grandkids were little, we gave them the plastic clappers when we went for walks. I heard that making noise deters the coy/otes/wolves/dogs. Always on the watch with them, too. I'm closer in to town, and I hear coyotes almost every time I step outside after dark. My neighbor said she saw a pack run up the street behind us.

There is a bounty on them locally. My daughter has extended family who have trail cams on their property. They hunt turkey and deer, and have shot maybe 3 coyotes over the last 10 years. Not crazy about the hunting, but they follow the rules and eat what they kill (except not coyotes)

[Ziggysmom]

10. Many years ago when I was a kid, my dad saw one of our hens fan out and make weird clucking noises

that were not normal. Her chicks all ran for cover under mama. The hawk grabbed the hen and my dad ran to help. Somehow with hawk talons piercing his arms, he twisted the hawks neck and killed it. Hawks can carry away prey that can weigh more than them. I respect the power of wild creatures; never let your guard down. I hope your daughter’s kitty stays safe.

[Marthe48]

11. I have to watch the skies here, too

I think a hawk was prowling our bird feeders a few years ago. I moved all of the feeders to more sheltered places, trying to thwart stray cats while I was at it.

A few years ago, a hawk was hanging out over the chicken coop for a few days. The coop is really secure (10 animals just said 'hold my beer') and the hawk left when it saw there were no easy pickings.