Characters like Rocket Raccoon from “Guardians of the Galaxy” and Meeko from “Pocahontas” have shifted the perception of raccoons as pests to loving, interactive pets. Raccoons are smart and are known for their problem-solving skills. Despite their intelligence and ability to bond deeply with humans, keeping them as pets is hard work. Raccoons can become destructive without proper care. Fortunately, our six things to know about keeping a pet raccoon will help you decide whether you are truly prepared.
1. Raccoons Are Intelligent but Difficult to Train
The personality of a raccoon is likened to a cat. They’re independent and aren’t going to listen to you if they don’t want to. On the bright side, these masked animals are highly intelligent, and with persistence, they can be trained to recognize their names and perform basic commands. If you want to know how clever raccoons are, check out the animal intelligence study conducted by ethologist H. B. Davis in the early 1900s. He presented 13 complex locks to raccoons of which 11 were successfully opened. Davis confirmed abstract thinking in raccoons and their ability to memorize the combinations up to three years later.
Their cognitive abilities are extraordinary, but raccoons are just as stubborn, which is the reason they’ll listen to you one day and not the next. It is also the reason that raccoons may not make the best pets. To stimulate them, you must introduce toys, such as puzzles, that allow them to test their problem-solving abilities.
2. Raccoons Must Have Secure Outdoor Enclosures
Unlike dogs and cats that tolerate being crated for a few hours when you’re away, you simply cannot do the same with a pet raccoon. These feisty animals should have access to a large outdoor enclosure with accessories, allowing them to safely climb and explore their space when their owners are away. An outdoor cage must be at least 8 ft 6 ft x 6 ft to house no more than 2 raccoons. The enclosure must have shade and protection against wind and rain. You’ll need to add nest boxes for them to hide in and ladders and ropes to encourage climbing. Be sure to secure the play area with heavy-duty fencing, such as hardware cloth that raccoons cannot pull and rip.
While outdoor space is an absolute must for a pet raccoon, they should be given time to spend with you in your home. Remember that a raccoon is a wild animal, and their curiosity often leads to destructive behavior, such as chewing furniture and opening kitchen cabinets. This means that you should secure your interiors to avoid total destruction!
3. You Must Raccoon-proof Your Home
Once you’ve created a secure outdoor space for a pet raccoon, the next step is securing your home. Much like you would baby-proof, like locking cabinets, you need to do the same if you want your wild companion to share your indoor space. Because you cannot leave a raccoon confined, they should have a safe indoor area where they can use litter boxes and access their toys. To proof your home, avoid plush or shaggy carpets that raccoons can easily catch their teeth and nails on. Lock all cabinets, hide cables, and don’t place fragile decor on tables or cupboards that will get knocked and broken.
To keep your pet raccoon stimulated, you’ll need to introduce interactive toys, including puzzles, balls, and feeders. Most raccoon owners will dedicate an entire room to their pet’s accessories. This way, they have a space to play while being secure and close to you.
4. Raccoons Are Most Active at Night
Many raccoon keepers have managed to engage their pets during the day but as nocturnal animals, they are more active at night. If you have a fairly strict schedule or commitments during the day, having an energetic raccoon rummage through your house at night is not ideal. Before you think that a raccoon as a pet is a good idea, consider their nighttime behavior.
While raccoons can form bonds and they’re extremely playful, they’re wild animals that don’t lose their instincts. If a pet raccoon becomes stressed or nervous, they may bite or scratch. Even if your pet is friendly, it must be supervised around other people and pets to avoid nipping or aggression.
5. Raccoons Need an Omnivorous Diet
Raccoons enjoy a combination of meat and plants, including eggs, insects, fruit, and vegetables. One thing you must know about these masked bandits is their love of food. These furry creatures will beg for treats and tend to gain weight quickly. While a chubby raccoon is a cute sight, obesity increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
To provide your pet with the most nutritious diet based on their age, consult with your exotic veterinarian. Based on their assessment, they will advise on the appropriate types of foods to keep your pet in good shape. Raccoons are quite messy during feeding and like to mix their food with water. Not only will you have to clean where they’ve eaten, but also provide them with clean water.
6. Raccoon-keeping Isn’t Always Legal
Before you look for a pet raccoon, determine whether it is legal to own one in your region. Depending on where you live, there may be restrictions on keeping wild animals as pets. If you can legally own a raccoon, learn which regulations apply to their housing and medical care.
Raccoons can be affectionate, playful, and bond deeply with their humans, but at the end of the day, they are wild animals. Unless you can provide the appropriate enclosure, care, nutrition, and enrichment, really think about whether these animals are the right choice as pets. No matter how friendly raccoons become, they will scratch or bite when stressed and agitated. Yes, a raccoon looks cute, and they’re very entertaining animal companions, but there’s a fair amount of time and cost involved in raising healthy pets.
