Your Pets and the Desert
Katy.
Originally published in a A Peek at the Peak, March 2010 Issue
By Howard Myers
The upper Sonoran Desert where we live is a wonderful place; however, it does present some challenges for pets. With some simple precautions, your pet can enjoy a long and happy life in the Valley.
Heat and Water
Perhaps the most obvious problem is the oppressive heat. As difficult as it is for us, it is that much more difficult for most pets because they can’t dissipate the heat as well as humans. It is critical to keep your pets hydrated. Make sure they have plenty of drinkable water and that they drink it often.
The first sign of dehydration is disorientation and lack of desire to drink. Don’t leave your pet in the car or other confined place where the heat can build up. If it spends a lot of time outside, make sure there is ample shade and, of course, plenty of water. If it does become overheated, pour some water on its head and feet, as these are two of the areas where it can dissipate some heat. Remember that dogs and cats can’t dissipate heat or cool down as easily as humans, so don’t take them on long or strenuous hikes when it is hot, give them as much or more water than you use, and make sure they have a cool place to hang out. Dogs in particular will follow their master until they drop dead, so watch for the signs of exhaustion and dehydration and take appropriate action. This problem is all too common on long or strenuous hikes in the Valley.
Thorns
Carol & Howard Myers, Katy.
In addition to heat, it seems that all the native plants have thorns or needles. Almost everything in the desert has some form of punishment for anyone who ventures too close. For pets that were raised somewhere else, it will take time to adjust to this thorny environment, but they will adjust, given time in a purely desert environment. If their backyard environment is much different, it will take a lot longer. Encourage your pet to allow you to take the thorns out, since when they try, the thorns will get stuck in their mouth. My own dog has adapted well and can take almost anything out of her paws, but it is still a whole lot easier for a human to do it. It turns out that their saliva will soften the needles so they can eventually work them out, but they can panic before then, making a bad situation worse.
Predators
Perhaps the least understood threats to your pet are the numerous predators that live in the desert. When I first moved here, I heard that the average life span of a small pet released into the desert was 15 minutes. While this seems impossible, it may not be all that far from the truth. Small pets have coyotes, hawks, owls, and bobcats, at least, to worry about.
If you live near a mountain or large hill with boulder outcrops, you may also have mountain lions, which are a threat to any pet. Javelinas can also be a problem, even though they aren’t trying to make your pet into a meal, as they view a pet as a threat to them and their young and will attack any perceived threat. Of all the animals in the desert, javelinas may be the most dangerous to a pet allowed to run off leash, even large dogs. While small pets are relatively easy prey, even large pets will be taken by coyotes if they are allowed to roam free. Coyotes are smart enough to gang up on larger animals. Don’t think that your pet is safe just because it’s big. Many a large dog has been lost to coyotes because the owner let it out during prime hunting time, early morning and early evening. The safest thing to do is to fence in the back yard which will separate most of the larger predators and other animals from your pets; however, remember that no wall or fence will keep a mountain lion or bobcat out, and coyotes have been known to jump a five-foot fence. Other than mountain lions, you are also safe walking a dog on a leash, as coyotes are leery and cautious when it comes to humans. The best and only defense against mountain lions is to be in a large group (several people or more) and to move relatively slow (don’t look like a deer trying to bolt). Like most wild animals, they are curious and cautious when it comes to humans. Fortunately, they don’t know how much of an advantage they have over us.
Snakes
Katy & Carol Myers at White Horse Mesa.
Arizona has many types of snakes, but there is really only one poisonous variety of snake, the diamondback rattlesnake. Rattlesnake bites usually aren’t fatal to either humans or pets if you receive proper medical attention within a reasonable amount of time; however, again, small animals are much more at risk from rattlesnakes than large ones. The same dose of venom will be more lethal to a small animal than to a large one, and the chance of getting bitten more than once also increases as the size of the animal decreases. Small young rattlesnakes are more dangerous than adults because they don’t control the amount of venom they inject into their victim. If you are worried about rattlesnakes, your pet can be “trained” to avoid them. The good thing about rattlesnakes is that they let you know they are there by shaking their rattle. While folks make a big deal over rattlesnakes here, most of the county has many more lethal snakes than Arizona, and most of them are silent.
Summary
You and your pet can really enjoy living in the Sonoran Desert as long as you take precautions to minimize the chances of your pets getting into trouble. Provide a fenced-in yard or supervision to keep them separated from the wild animals. Remember that it is best to have your pet on a leash when walking or hiking to keep it out of trouble. In the hotter months, make sure you provide enough shade and water and keep an eye on them to insure they use both.
In addition to being a pet owner and avid hiker, Howard Myers is the president of the Desert Foothills Property Owners Association and active in Friends of the Scenic Drive. Howard is vice-chair of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission and has had a significant impact on the development of various Scottsdale ordinances and policies
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