Gardengal, surprised this happened in plain daylight. We have coyotes around our 2nd home but we only hear them at night. How scary for you and furry ones

Do think about how you can create a cat enclosure - can be easily & cheaply made w/ plastic deer fence + metal poles. It can be next to your house, or connected via a tunnel somewhere further from your house. Will write more later - just wanted to say that these dont need to be huge, the one for my guy is about 30 x 40 ft - but its made total difference in him being happy vs. unhappy. Even catches the occasional mouse out there.

I had a hawk fly way too low over my head over the weekend. Then my husband found a freshly dead bird on the hood of his truck. I always worry about my 8 lb toy poodle getting taken by a hawk. I never let her out without being within a few feet of her. We've never seen a coyote near where we live but I wouldn't be surprised if they were out there. My cat had an outdoor adventure once and returned home traumatized... vet said maybe a cat fight and her adrenaline was just in overdrive but she had nothing wrong with her. That was her last outing. Hopefully your guy will be content to stay inside.

He has kept a very low profile since this happened and as yet, has not been over-eager to go outside. I plan to keep him inside as long as he will tolerate it :-)) His personality is not the same so I suspect he is still rather traumatized by the experience. And he is definitely showing his age more distinctly than before the attack. Another good reason to keep him in :-))

I rent, so constructing an outdoor cat condo is not feasible. Nor would he like that any more than being kept inside. He is so used to coming and going as he pleased.

I have a cat that survived the same thing because I heard the screaming and scared the coyote off. My cat lost a hind leg but has managed well. I would expect that your cat will stay very close or even inside. Poor thing, I'm so glad that you were able to prevent something much worse. Just a 4 ft. fence around the area outside your door will keep the coyotes from getting to your pets, a temporary roll of fence would not be a big investment & you could take it with you if you moved.

Watch the cat for fever or abscesses in the next few days. See a vet if you suspect the cat has puncture wounds.

I adopted my Dad's cat after he died and she had always been an outdoor cat. She did very well inside. She was so happy when we brought a piece of firewood inside for a scratching post, but that was the only sign she missed anything outside.

Can you put up bird feeders outside a window he can look out of? Maybe a cat tower to climb?

Coyotes will jump a 4 foot fence.

Coyotes can jump a higher fence than 4'. They don't have to leap right over, they just launch up enough to get purchase with rear feet, front legs on the top of the fence or wall, and over they go.

I live in a suburban community, and we have plenty of coyotes. In a nearby community they have attacked children. They do get dogs and cats, and I have seen them in the daytime several times.

When the dog is out on a tie-out, keep a close watch on him because he would be at a terrible disadvantage if attacked.

As for your cat, I know how difficult it is to keep a cat in when it's used to being outside, but you could try. If kitty doesn't start acting normal soon, a vet check might be in order. Check him carefully for broken skin. He's a senior and probably isn't as quick or strong as in past years. So sorry this has happened to you. It is scary.

I keep a close eye on my dog (16#) when he's outside, never go away and leave him outside. It's not convenient, but he would not win a battle with a coyote.

I don't know about coyotes jumping a 4' fence - doesn't seem like much a barrier - but it sure wouldn't stop the cat!! He's just staying in for now and as long as he is not pacing around and yowling to be let out, he will stay inside. Will certainly help with my peace of mind :-))

I check him daily and he is very receptive to being examined - starts purring and drooling immediately :-)) There is nothing obviously wrong with him and he is eating and drinking as normal. He is just much quieter than usual and very content to stay close by.

My dog is a serious mama's boy and will stay outside only long enough to do his business. Then he comes and sits at the door and stares at me to be let in (sliding doors). Neither animal is much inclined to have me out of sight for long (privacy in the bathroom is a joke) and the dog is large enough not to be overly vulnerable.......and I would hear him making a fuss immediately if he saw anything untoward :-))

OK it wont work for OP, but just for the record and for the sake of this conversation... I had my doubts whether my cat would like an outdoor pen, and yeah he did spend the first three hours meowing and looking obsessively for a way to get out. But then he settled down and stopped fussing. Now he just loves it and gets as excited about going out as he did when he could roam freely. I think feels safe in it. Theres been times the doors left open and hell go running around the neighborhood for an hour or two but soon comes back home - Ill find him sleeping in his usual spot inside the pen - with the door wide open.

For us it truly is the best of both worlds - he gets to roll in the dirt and lie in the grass in the sun and watch the birds - even catch a mouse or two. I get to know he's safe. OK, my guy is a mellow 10 yr old cat so your mileage may vary if its a young fiesty adolescent cat who really wants to see the world.

BTW its a 7 foot black plastic mesh deerfence - with poles less than $200. I dont think 4 ft would work

Walking the dog just this morning, I saw a loose dog and thought someone's dog had gotten out. Oops! Not a dog, a coyote, across the street and in someone's yard. I made growling noises and waved my arms. It just wandered away, not intimidated by my ferociousness at all. My dog usually wants to greet other dogs, but for this "dog" he just seemed curious and wasn't pulling on the leash to go over and say hello. I carry pepper spray and had it ready, also watching for any additional coyotes, but I didn't see any more.

How's your cat?

Thanks for asking :-)) The experience has certainly changed him but physically, he is fine.

He has been outside a couple of times since this happened but he stays very close to the door (which I leave open when he is out), kinda hides under the bushes and peers intently at the woodsy area where the attack occurred. He is out for maybe 5-10 minutes at most and then comes back inside. He is more than willing to spend his day snoozing or sitting in the window watching whatever he can see. No more yowling at the door to be let out :-)) And while he was always very affectionate, he is now much more of a cuddler and likes to stay close to both me and his canine best friend/savior.

My former wildlife warrior feline has been turned into a mild mannered and rather timid housecat by the experience and is now showing every minute of his 13 odd years. It's a little sad but I would rather have him indoors and safe than in a coyote's belly.

I hope he will stay cautious. At his age, it would not hurt if he became a senior housecat.

Coyotes are not vampires, if hungry or feeding pups will hunt in day light. Does not matter what size your dog is, if 2 or more your dog is dinner. I live on the East coast we never had coyotes till about 20 years ago. May not see them but they are around, be careful with your pets. Don't make mistake of thinking they are safe in daytime.

No they are not vampires, just hungry animals, but they need to fend for themselves and not depend on cats, dogs or children. We have plenty of raccoons, possums, lizards, rats and mice--prey on them!!!

Yesterday I crossed paths with one on my driveway at 3:30 pm. I chased it, yelling. It trotted off, not particularly concerned. This morning while walking the dog, two were across the street, watched me, then crossed to my side and trailed me for about 50', then cut off into the bushes. I carry pepper spray, but I think I'll upgrade my arsenal to a few rocks and a noise maker.

You'd think they'd know what is OK to eat.

I don't have cats any more, but if I did, I'd build a "catio". If you google and look at the images, you'll see. Doesn't look too difficult, and could actually be awesome for the cats. Safe at last! Some are small and butted up to the house via a window, which when opened is an easy way for kitty to get in and out. Some are like habitrails, with enclosed walkways meandering through the trees. What a brilliant way to let cats enjoy the outdoors!

Small household pets - canine and feline - are a regular part of the coyote diet in built up areas. If it were me I wouldn't leave the dog or cat unattended and outside in that location anymore - presumably as it was the cat was just about to have its neck or back broken.

Friends built an outdoor enclosure for their cats that had a pet door between it and the house, so they could come and go at will. It was maybe about the size of a typical suburban bedroom and seemed to suit them. This was undertaken after a previous cat of theirs was killed by a neighbor's multiple dogs, which I suspect tore it apart - based on what I know of the circumstances.

Yet another example of why cat owners are urged to keep them inside at all times. Native predators aren't the only danger to them.

To keep coyotes from going over fences of some height you have to put a baffle on top that curves back toward the direction from which they are coming.

Awhile back I surprised one that was apparently napping under all the growth in my back yard. It went over a section of wood fence into the neighbors yard so fast and easily I mostly just heard it rather than saw it, knew it was a coyote primarily because one of the neighbors saw it streak across their back yard - and excite their small dog in the process:

Yap yap yap yap-yap yap yap-yap-yap yap-yap...

I'd have to go look to be sure but I think the fence is about 5 ft. tall.

Very true emothrium - I saw one recently made from gray pvc pipe (paintable) - which then is staked to the ground and is moveable - good for rental situations such as OP's! Of course one would have to find the right landlord who isnt a control freak about this sort of thing - I found that my neighbors were all very interested and approved of my back yard fence - esp ones that didnt want cats eating their birds.