Safety Tips for New Residents

Life in the Sonoran desert holds many pleasures, but it also presents some unique challenges for us and our pets. As local animal rescue organizations, we have dealt with and heard of many different situations involving pets. As a result of our experiences, we have compiled these important tips to help you and your pets adjust to life in the desert.

PREDATORS  In this area, we have a number of predators -- COYOTES, BOBCATS, OWLS, and HAWKS -- that can prey on domestic pets. Wild animals are protective of their young and will defend themselves if they feel threatened or provoked such as being chased by a dog. Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Contrary to popular belief, these attacks are not limited to the nighttime hours and are not limited to small pets. Keeping dogs in a fenced or walled area is desirable for this reason, although a small pet that is enclosed in a yard may still be vulnerable to predators who can fly. An outside kennel with a top and bottom connected to your house or garage with a doggie/cat door can provide a safe area for your pets. Cats are much safer indoors.  Neutered pets are less likely to run away, making themselves vulnerable.

RATTLESNAKES can also pose problems to our domestic animals. If you or your pet spots a snake, don’t try to deal with it yourself. Keep pets far away from the snake. Rattlesnakes can lunge up to one half their body length. Install hardware cloth where you have gaps or openings in your fence and under gates to help keep snakes out. Residents served by Rural Metro may call them at (480) 945-6311 for snake removal. Snakes often end up in garages, so keeping the garage door shut may help keep them out. If you or your pet is bitten by a snake seek medical help immediately.

DEER TICKS are common here as well. Check pets periodically for dark-colored "pea-like" pests attached to your pet’s skin. Remove ticks with tweezers making sure to get entire body and head out. You may want to drop the ticks that you remove into alcohol—they are difficult to kill. Infested pets should be taken to the veterinarian to be tested for Tick Fever, a serious but usually treatable disease.

SCORPIONS and SPIDERS can sting or bite our pets indoors or outdoors. Contrary to common belief, some cats will get quite sick when stung by a scorpion.  If your pet is suddenly vomiting, defecating uncontrollably, or acting strangely, seek medical attention.  
 

SONORAN DESERT TOADS (aka Colorado River Toad) secrete from glands on their neck and limbs a viscous, milky-white venom that is painful and extremely toxic to our pets and humans. It can cause severe irritation to the eyes and nose, foaming at the mouth, paralysis, seizures, and even death. If you notice your dog, cat or young child mouthing or playing with these toads, or showing signs of staggering, or dilated eye pupils, carefully flush their mouth thoroughly with water and seek immediate medical care since heart irregularities often develop and can result in death less than 30 minutes after exposure. These toads are rather large with beady eyes and a flat broad head. The skin is leathery, sparsely covered with pale orange warts, and varies in color from a dark brown to an olive or grayish green. They also have round white warts at the corners of the mouth and large, granular glands covering the neck and limbs. Generally these toads are only seen during our rainy season in July and August.
 

If at all possible, keep your pets from digging in the desert as VALLEY FEVER can be contracted from the spores in the soil. This often happens when the land has been cleared to build, digging for a new pool, or even doing a lot of landscape work and the pets play or dig in this area. It is best to keep them inside while this type of work is going on or at least restrict their access to these areas. Especially vulnerable to this common disease are pets with a compromised immune system. Valley Fever can usually be treated, but the medicine is costly.

If your pet is limping or whining especially after being out in the desert, check for cactus needles. Obviously, they are all over the desert floor. Carefully remove needles so they don’t break off at the skin line. Severe cases may require medical attention.

Successful SUMMER SURVIVAL may mean altering habits. Pets need lots of water and shade (or air-conditioning) when it's hot. Walk dogs in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are not as severe and the walking surface will not scorch paws. Also bring water on walks. People and pets can experience heat exhaustion! Never keep a pet (or child) in a closed car. Brain damage and/or death can occur quickly. Pets shed a lot in the summer here. Brushing frequently helps, but cats can still have problems with fur balls. In extreme cases, cats may need to have their fur trimmed. Consider installing a mist system in the pets outside area or keeping a tub of water the pet can cool off in.

Please keep identification tags or a microchip on your pets.  Arizona law requires Rabies tags on dogs.  If you lose your pet, don’t wait for someone to call you, your pet’s tag and collar may have come off.  Go to the County Animal Control in Mesa or Phoenix and check to see if your pet has been picked up.  You may need to check back because it may be a while before the pet shows up there.  

We hope these insiders’ tips will help you and your four-legged family members make the transition to a desert lifestyle a smooth one.