If you live in a place with bobcats, then your pet dog is always at risk of being attacked by a wild animal.
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You need to know if bobcats can attack dogs before you take your pet out for a walk.
Bobcats are opportunistic predators and may either stalk or ambush small domestic pets (particularly dogs), which would include a small dog, during their home range.
They generally do not attack dog owners in yards because they view the dog as an easily-rewarded source of food.
A bobcat will only approach if it’s hungry enough to be tempted by a small animal that would otherwise go unnoticed.
The following article will tell you what to do if your dog does get attacked by a bobcat and how to keep them safe.
But first, let’s see what you should know about these wild animals.
What You Need To Know About Bobcats
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Bobcats are a type of wild cat that is typically found throughout the North American continent.
They are usually found in wooded areas and prefer to spend their time hunting at night.
Male bobcats can weigh up to 60 pounds and have a length of about four feet from nose to tail.
The first thing that you need to know about bobcat attacks on dogs is that it’s rare for them to happen.
However, if a bobcat does attack your dog, you need to know what to do next.
If your dog is attacked by a bobcat, there are some things that you should do immediately after the attack has taken place:
-First, try to keep the pet calm. Put them in the back of your car or another enclosed space where they can’t escape or be attacked again by the bobcat
-Next, drive them directly to the vet as quickly as possible
-Lastly, make sure you call animal control so they can come out and investigate what happened
In addition, keep in mind that bobcats are more exposed to the outside environment. Therefore, they are more prone to rabies.
About that, make sure to let your vet know if you suddenly observe any kind of symptoms manifested by your dog, which may indicate a rabies infection.
Why Do Bobcats Attack Dogs?
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The reasons that a dog meets up with a bobcat vary from place to place.
For example, in places where fox populations are high, there could be territorial conflicts between the two wild animal species.
The reason behind this is that both the bobcat and daub cat would like to have access to different resources.
This can cause an unprovoked attack by one cat on another and go from bad things into worse as predators become territorial over their prey which forces them onto each other.
It seems as if this is a very common issue of bobcats thinking that they own the territory and attack anything in their way, including dogs.
It’s said that Bobcats are often viewed as vermin by the public because of one thing – fear.
Dogs live close to humans and there have been cases where people perceive an entire dog family to be dangerous for them such as well-known wild animals like raccoons or cougars.
It is important to take note that bobcats attack different animals as well, not just dogs. There are instances where a cougar attacks a fowl.
A fowl by the way can be a chicken, duck, flamingo, etc. When a fowl is attacked by a bobcat, most likely it will be left with deep claws and bite wounds.
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This injury will cause internal bleeding that may be fatal, especially so if it occurs in the heart or lungs area.
A typical external wound for this type of fowl attack can also reach a depth of 1-2 inches from 4 to 12 ribs on both sides of the body.
Aside from fowls, a bobcat attack can also involve other small animals like squirrels.
What Is The Risk Of A Bobcat Attacking My Dog?
The risk of a bobcat attacking your dog is low, but it is still possible.
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Bobcats are most likely to attack when they feel cornered or threatened. Your dog may have been in the path of a bobcat trying to escape from the animal and this could cause a fight.
When a bobcat attacks a pet dog, it will do so by grabbing them with its front paws and claws.
If the dog tries to fight back, the bobcat may bite them or scratch them with their claws in defense.
A large dog that is properly trained can provide effective protection to its owner as well as to itself. Thus, if your dog is quite big, then it may be able to protect itself against a bobcat.
Most bobcats prey on smaller wild animals, small pets as well as livestock. With a large dog, it may hesitate because of the canine’s size.
Whether your dog is small or big though, make sure not to leave pet food outside the house, since it may attract more bobcats or even a coyote, depending on your location.
Signs Of A Bobcat Attack On A Dog
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A bobcat attack on a dog is a serious risk for any pet. There are a few signs that may indicate a bobcat has attacked your dog including:
Blood on the animal’s fur or bloodstains on the ground.
A limp or injured gait.
Facial injuries such as scratches, puncture wounds, and broken teeth.
Cuts around their muzzle where saliva has been deposited from grooming behaviors.
Runny nose and eyes from being frightened, which may also be accompanied by an unwillingness to eat or drink.
What To Do If Your Dog Gets Attacked By A Bobcat
There are many different things that you should know before taking your dog outside.
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One of the most important things to know is if bobcats can attack dogs and what you can do about it.
A bobcat is a small cat that has a stocky body with short legs and large paws. A bobcat’s fur is usually brown or gray, but can also be black or reddish-brown in some places.
Their fur usually has spots of white on their face and neck, which helps them to hunt their prey at night.
Bobcats are not very easy to see because they usually don’t roam around during the day and they prefer staying in forests and hunting at night.
They live all over North America, from Canada to Mexico, but they are mostly found in the eastern United States.
If your dog does get attacked by a bobcat, then you need to take them to the vet for examination right away.
If the wound looks serious, then take them into surgery immediately for stitches or other medical treatment.
You’ll want to keep your pet under observation for 24 hours after surgery to make sure everything goes well.
If your dog gets attacked by a bobcat, then there are ways you can prevent them from being bitten again.
Conclusion: Will Bobcats Attack Dogs?
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As the name suggests, bobcats are wild animals. If you live in a place with bobcats, then your pet dog is always at risk of being attacked by wild animals.
You need to know if bobcats can attack dogs before you take your pet dog outside.
No matter how well mannered your pet dog is, they will always be at risk of being attacked by a wild animal when bitten and endangered by such an attack.