A Spiked Coyote Vest for Dogs Will Keep Your Punk Rock Pup Safe

Staying safe never looked so good. Coyote vests for dogs have amassed a faithful following online with their spiky neon jackets and rainbow mohawks. Although it may look like they're headed to a punk rock concert, they're actually protecting themselves from coyotes, birds of prey, and potentially other dogs.

Small dogs, as well as cats, could be considered prey for coyotes, said veterinarian Benjamin Wright, DVM, at the Lakewood Vet Center in Dallas. Coyote attacks are rare, but percentages don't matter if it's your pet that gets hurt. Protective vests made with bite-resistant material work best when dogs are outside unsupervised, Wright said. Those colorful whiskers aren't just hilarious, they're life-saving fixtures that make small dogs look larger and more threatening. "Coyotes' usual prey is much smaller than them," Wright said. "A coyote attacking a dog or cat could be injured during the hunt, so they are probably desperate at that point if they are going to risk hurting themselves for a meal."

The anti-coyote jackets slow or prevent surprise attacks and give pooch parents precious time to rescue their pets. "Making a lot of noise is usually all it takes for coyotes to run away," Wright said, but pet owners can take additional steps to prevent coyotes from venturing into their neighborhoods by eliminating outside food sources. Having a dog fence around your yard and supervising your pet when they go outside are also helpful prevention measures that can protect your dog from various types of dangerous encounters.

If your dogs have rock 'n' roll hearts that beat for heavy metal, adding a little punk rock pizzaz to their wardrobe is an added bonus.