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Owls are fearsome creatures and incredible flyers. They are capable of being unmatched predators. If you have noticed an owl in your area or you’re concerned about your dog being outside at night, you might have a good reason!
Owls not only can attack and carry off smaller dogs, but they sometimes do. However, a dog is not an owl’s first choice of prey as most dogs are often too difficult for owls to catch. In this article, we aim to educate you about owls’ capabilities and how you can protect your pet from harm.
Owls Are Birds of Prey
Owls are birds of prey or raptors. They are strict carnivores, which means they catch, kill, and eat animals to survive. Unlike other birds, which have scavenger-like tendencies, owls are opportunistic eaters, consuming whichever type of prey is available in the area.
Despite being opportunistic predators, they have impeccable eyesight, hearing senses, and excellent judgment. Unless they are sure that they will be able to haul off your animal, it is unlikely that they will attack, but not impossible.
How Much Weight Can Owls Carry?
The average owl can pick up about 4 pounds. This means that an owl can pick up a small puppy or teacup-sized dog. However, the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) weighs 3 pounds on average. They can carry two to three times their body weight, meaning they can carry off an 8–9 lb (3–4 kilogram) dog without much of an issue.
These owls inhabit parts of North, Central, and South America, so they are pretty populated in the states.
They enjoy forests, open fields, wetlands, pastures, canyons, deserts, wooded parks, and even suburban areas and cities. So, it is common for a great horned owl to try to target smaller pets as their prey.
How Owls Can Swoop in On Pets
There are several different factors that make owls excellent hunters. Unfortunately, these can be terrible capabilities if your pet is the one at stake.
Nocturnal Tendencies
Owls are nocturnal creatures, able to see in the darkest of hours. Because dogs and humans don’t have the strongest eyes at night, it might be extremely hard for you to spot an owl flying in the distance. Also, these great observers will intently watch their prey before striking.
Owls typically observe and then fly in for the attack to catch their prey. Bystanders can be completely caught off guard. For example, you might be in the yard with your puppy and an owl comes out of nowhere.
Their nocturnal nature is handy, giving them an advantage over humans and canines.
Silent Flyers
Despite the type of owl in question, all owls have extremely impressive wingspans. Their wingspan is longer than their body, and they can fly pretty silently. That means an owl could be flapping rigorously toward an animal, and you won’t hear it until it’s too late.
While extremely alarming, we want to reiterate that a dog will certainly not be the first choice on an owl’s list of prey. Dogs, even puppies, are simply way too much for an owl to comfortably pick up. Owls want to swoop down and grab opportunistic prey then fly into the darkness without much of a fuss and fight.
The Size of Your Dog Matters
Once the dog is a certain size, the owl will not want much to do with it. Despite hunger, they will be able to see that the animal is a little bit too large and might be more trouble than it’s worth.
However, as we mentioned above, if it is a full-sized Great Horned Owl, they might take the opportunity to carry a small dog off. Understanding the different types of owls in your area is important so you know your risk.
Injuries from Owls
Often, a dog is too heavy for an owl, which might catch them off guard. If they aren’t fully prepared, they can drop your dog or puncture them without actually carrying them off. This can lead to major injuries such as broken bones and open wounds.
If your dog has been attacked by an owl, it is imperative to get the dog to the vet immediately. Find an emergency veterinarian and take your dog in for an assessment and treatment.
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The 3 Tips to Protect Your Pup from Owls
If you are worried about owls in your area, there are precautions you can take to protect your pet.
1. Don’t Leave Your Dog Unattended
It would help if you never left any dog outdoors unattended at night. This is especially true if you have a very small puppy or a teacup-sized dog. Not only are owls a threat, but other wildlife can confuse your pet for tonight‘s dinner.
The last thing you want to do is stand in horror as an owl or other predator sneakily swoops in and steals your adorable companion away.
2. Make the Yard Challenging for Owls
Since owls have such impressive wingspans, they will really only want to fly into areas they know they can clear.
If there are a lot of obstructions in your yard, it might make it a little more complicated for them to navigate, making them second-guess choosing your pet as their late-night snack.
3. Keep Your Dog on a Leash at Night
For your dog’s safety, keeping them on a leash during your night walks is best. This way, you have direct access to them and are very close by. And an owl will definitely be deterred by having a larger, unpredictable mammal standing there. So, you can be your dog’s very own predator deterrent.
Conclusion
Now you are a little bit more informed on the dangers and realities of owl attacks on our pets. While it is highly unlikely that an owl will attempt taking a dog, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
In fact, many animals are injured by owls and other large birds of prey due to misjudgment on the birds’ part. To protect your animal, it is imperative that you don’t leave smaller dogs alone outside at night. You should be close by at all times and preferably keep them on a leash.
If your dog has been attacked by an owl or other bird of prey, get them to your vet immediately to assess their injuries and give them the treatment they need.
Featured Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay
3 Responses
Yes, was scary, I was very shaken. I now take her out at night with a leash, as she has no fear. Yes, lots of birds here. Now winter is here, the quals are all hiding as I saw a pygmy owl and understand why. All summer they were all over, do have lots of shrubs and cone type trees that they hide in. Your article was great information. Thanks
My GSD pup, 20lbs, was out in front of are bedroom with sliding doors. The light is limited, and the sun was just coming out. My pup heard a small bird and ran towards the bird. She is fascinated with birds since she learned all the quals on are property. When I couldn't see her, I walked over to where I thought she was. Had a large Great Horn Owl, swooping down to where she was, I yelled and had my arms swinging while calling my pup back. Scariest thing to experience. The pup came running back and I locked her in the house. The owl immediately came back and swooped again in front of me and landed on a tree close by. Yikes, even at 20 lbs the Great Horn Owl went for it. There are two that have lived here for years, guessing the nest is on my property, as I have many acres. I also get eagles that come here, close to a lake for winter fish. Last year two eagles did a breeding act, as well these two owls do.
Wow! Thank you for sharing that story, Gailene. What an intense and scary experience! It's a good thing you were quick to react and call your pup back—that could have ended very differently. That's amazing that you have so much wildlife on your property! I hope you and your pup have safer outdoor adventures ahead. 🙂