Dog Dangers in the Desert
The desert is home to an array of beautiful wildlife and captivating natural beauty. Unfortunately, wildlife dangers are a real threat to small animals. Some of the wildlife we coexist with don’t always have the best intentions when it comes to your Shih Tzu. Arizona has an abundant population of rattlesnakes, coyotes, bobcats, poisonous frogs, scorpions, killer bees, spiders and the list goes on and on. All of the critters mentioned above may pose a serious risk to your pet Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzus is a relatively small toy breed dog. They don’t stand a chance against a coyote that may jump your block wall fence looking for dinner. I can say with certainty that they can and will jump a 6-foot block wall. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’ve also had a bobcat walk right past me in my front yard in broad daylight. (Check out the photo above!)
You may think you’re safe because you live in the suburbs. I live in the suburbs too! I have seen coyotes and bobcats walk through my neighborhood on more than one occasion. Humans have built suburbs closer and closer to the desert. We have spectacular views but at the cost of being in closer proximity to dangerous desert animals. Animals such as coyotes are also able to pass on dangerous parasites and viruses like parvovirus to your pet. Parvovirus is a real concern here in Arizona and many other states.
I am a Shih Tzu breeder. My Shih Tzu puppies wouldn’t stand a chance against a coyote. Because I live in an area where it isn’t uncommon to see a coyote or bobcat jump a wall, I need to be extra cautious. When I take Shih Tzu puppies outdoors, I look for predators before I bring the puppies outside. If you have bought a Shih Tzu puppy from me, you know I’m not a risk taker. The health and safety of my dogs comes first!
The Sonoran Desert Toad is another critter that you need to be on the lookout for in your yard. I always recommend walking through the yard before bringing your dog outside. Bullfrogs are notorious for coming out in abundance during monsoon season when it rains a lot.
We had a bullfrog sunbathing near our pool this summer after a heavy rainfall. When my husband tried to catch it with a net to release it into the desert it took a quick swim across our pool first. If a dog licks a Sonoran Desert Toad they will ingest the toxic substance found on their skin. It is important to rinse your dog’s mouth out immediately and seek veterinary care.
Scorpions, snakes, and poisonous spiders are common predators in the valley as well. Dogs may see snakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders as a simple game of chase. The problem is that all of these creatures release toxic poison into their victims.
My husband was once out playing with the solar lights in the evening when he got bit by a brown recluse. The bite got bad and he had to go to the hospital. The area started to turn black, and necrotic and swelled up quite a bit. He ended up needing to take antibiotics for 6 weeks. Imagine how much worse a Brown Recluse bite would be in a Shih Tzu puppy! Symptoms may range from tissue destruction to death.
I almost forgot to mention owls, hawks, and eagles when it comes to small-breed pet dangers. A hawk may confuse your small Shih Tzu for a bunny and attempt to carry him or her away. The hawk is simply looking for a meal and doesn’t know the difference between a rabbit and a Shih Tzu puppy! Unfortunately, the talons of some birds can do serious damage to a toy breed dog. Just google hawks and dog attacks if you don’t believe me. Pet supervision is key when it comes to avoiding bird attacks.
As you probably can already see after reading this blog post, wildlife is abundant in Arizona. Unfortunately, not all of the wild animals in Arizona have your pets’ best interests at heart. They’re simply trying to survive the best way that they can. This often means venturing into the suburbs or visiting your yard.
You must secure and safety-proof all outdoor areas that your Shih Tzu may have access to. Start by covering all gaps in fences. We have installed chicken wire on are slotted fences as a safety precaution as well. But, most importantly, I recommend never leaving your small Shih Tzu outdoors alone in Arizona. I also suggest doing a checkover of the yard before going outside with your pet. It is better to be safe than sorry!
