Domestic Animals

Compiled by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University:

Damage Caused By Domestic Animals

Horses, mules and donkeys, bison, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, dogs, house cats and many other domesticated species can cause considerable damage to trees. The nature of their damage can be surmised by observing the types of problems their nearest wild relatives cause.

Horses and other domestic hoofed animals often chew bark from trees in corrals and other fenced areas. In addition, soil compaction and toxicity resulting from concentrated animal waste can harm trees. These animals should not be placed in confined areas with trees unless tree injury is acceptable. Where unavoidable, covering the lower trunks with chicken wire or hardware cloth can reduce injury. Over time and with normal trunk expansion, wire-mesh barriers may need maintenance or reattachment.

Domestic rabbits do the same things as wild cottontails and hares. Consequently, management of them would be the same.

The main problem with cats is their habit of clawing lower trunk bark. When heavy, this alone may kill small trees, but often subsequent fungal infection (for example, cytospora canker) is the real long-term problem. Cat-clawing can be easily prevented by attaching a window screen cylinder to the lower three feet of the trunk. This is relatively invisible and a simple office stapler can be used. Take care not to put the staples into the bark, as this, too, could lead to infection.