Mary Allen
Actually, the raccoon looks very cute: its shaggy fur, the cute face with the characteristic black mask over the dark beady eyes, and the tiny paws. So the perfect choice for families looking for a new and unusual companion to cuddle and play with? The clear answer is: No!
The cuteness and friendly appearance might not be obvious, but the raccoon is a sly old dog and does not make an easy pet. As a wild animal, it loves its independence, it needs a lot of space and, above all, it is difficult to train or domesticate it.
The small bear has high demands on its habitat. Sure, the raccoon is an extraordinary pet, but before you decide to get a raccoon, there are a few things you should be aware of.
In this post, you will read all about raccoon husbandry and what to consider before you let the words “buy a raccoon” become reality in your mind.
The Raccoon – a Wild Animal
Nobody should just hold a raccoon puppy or even an adult animal like that. Since the raccoon is a wild animal and therefore has some requirements as a pet, it is important that you obtain prior approval and prove that the animal’s new home meets a few specifications.
If you don’t have a large garden, the dream of having a raccoon as a pet is likely to burst quickly. Because according to official guidelines for species-appropriate husbandry, the enclosure for two raccoons must be 24 m² in size. The enclosure must also be designed according to certain specifications and have climbing and bathing facilities, for example.
Before purchasing, find out all the specifications from the district office in your community or region, otherwise, you could quickly face a charge. You must submit the construction plan for the planned enclosure for the raccoon to the responsible district office.
A professional will look at the animal’s potential new home and determine if it is a suitable habitat for the animal. The procedure for the approval will of course cost you a lot – depending on the district office.
Keeping a Raccoon
A raccoon is particularly demanding when it comes to keeping it. The raccoon is also a very curious animal as a pet. He looks for food everywhere, nibbles on everything he can get his claws on and climbs up everything he finds with great skill.
Even with its nocturnal lifestyle, it is probably not well suited in any private apartment. The wild animal is therefore not in good hands in a living space. In no time he would have destroyed all the indoor plants and furniture. In order to feel comfortable, the little bear needs a large outdoor enclosure. After all, it is native to nature in large forests.
You should also never hold the raccoon alone. If the very intelligent animals are alone in captivity, they quickly become aggressive and even depressed. However, you don’t necessarily have to get a second raccoon, you can keep him with a large, powerful dog.
The raccoon could injure small dogs, perhaps unintentionally while romping around. In addition, the raccoon must be brought together with the dog as a puppy so that the dog and small bear can live together harmoniously afterward.
Raccoon: No Pet for Children
The raccoon is in no way inferior to dogs or cats when it comes to injuring people. Raccoons are predators. If they feel threatened or constrained, they bite with frighteningly sharp teeth. And even if he just wants to play, the raccoon can sometimes be very violent and swing too hard.
Anyone who imagines that he could raise the little bear like a dog is wrong because “raccoon” and “taming” are two incompatible terms. For this reason, children should not be allowed too close to the animal. For stroking and cuddling, it is better to choose another pet for the family.
A Raccoon Cannot Be Bought
You can’t buy a raccoon from any reputable pet store. One option for finding a pet raccoon would be to adopt an abandoned puppy. It happens again and again that a puppy is rejected by its parents.
Under these circumstances, human husbandry may be the animal’s only means of survival. Even under these circumstances, however, the regulations of the responsible district office must be observed.
Life Expectancy, Nutrition, and Useful Knowledge
Raccoons live between 12 and 16 years in captivity. Before recording, you should therefore consider whether you can also take care of the animal for such a long period of time.
While much about the raccoon is rather complicated, luckily it is anything but difficult when it comes to its food. Because the omnivore lives up to its name.
You should not feed him leftovers such as pizza, because he does not tolerate them well, pork is also unhealthy for the raccoon, but otherwise, he is happy with dog food, fruit, or insects.
You should also be in close contact with a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about wild animals and their characteristics and who can offer you occasional advice. You can counter particularly aggressive behavior on the part of males with castration.