Is this wild raccoon my wife befriended dangerous to my family?

Question

a racoon comes through the cat door into my kitchen and eats my cats food .....but
My wife has started to feed it and i caught her the other day touching it.......I told her to stop but she refuses because the raccoon bought her babies to visit her and she thinks that is Honorable that it trusts her so much ......am i over reacting or can raccoons be nice and be mean the next day and will the raccoon be vicious towards my cat

Answer 1

Like all wild animals, they are wild. If the racoon at any point thinks that your wife or any thing else (ex child, cat, dog) interfere with its offspring it can react unpredictabley.

My advice wild animals belong in the wild and to be observed from afar, this is where they are most appreciated.

Answer 2

You and your family are in serious danger of infection from a nasty condition known as baylisascaris procyonis, a nematode (worm) that is carried by raccoons and transmitted as worm eggs in raccoon droppings. The eggs survive for years and are almost impossible to be ridden off surfaces except with a propane torch. Some studies have shown up to 82% of raccoons carry this nasty worm.

When a human accidentally ingests the eggs of these worms, the eggs hatches and the larvae will burrow through the intestinal walls and go into the nerves, liver, brain and eyes, causing an unspeakable horror of damages.

If your wife insists on maintaining the relationship with the raccoon, have the animal and its kids de-wormed before officially keeping them as pets. But even after that, there is no telling if the animals will eat contaminated food scraps outside and re-acquire the worms again.

Answer 3

You have a right to be concerned. Raccoons are distructive animals. I find it pretty scary that you r wife thinks it is an honor to have the raccoon bring her babies. She is only there because of the free food. Raccoons are very vicious animals. Though cute to look at, are not to be trusted. My brother thought he befriended one and ended up bitten pretty bad and had to go through rabies treatment, which was awful to say the least. They now are going to associate your home with free food. She may do some damage around your home to try to get to it if you cut her off now.
I found a couple of sites that may help explain what they are about:
http://www.isleauhaut.net/maskd/twentyreasons.htm
http://www.projectwildlife.org/living-raccoons.htm
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/a_closer_look_at_wildlife/raccoons.html

Answer 4

It sounds as though this is a tame pet raccoon that someone let loose.

The raccoon may be resentful of your cat if the cat tries defending its food dish.

I've had a pet raccoon, and even though raccoons can occasion be rabies carriers, I side with your wife. A well-fed and watered animal is a healthy animal, and is not likely to be rabid.

Answer 5

I had one a long time ago. He was hysterically funny to watch, though a real pill while I tried to sleep because he'd want to explore my nose and ears with his tiny hands. He also got into EVERY thing in the house, I soon learned that NOTHING is coon proof. The problem comes when they become breeding age. He went from being cute to being out of control, tearing the house apart and biting and scratching me and attacking the dog. I don't know of any vet who will spay/neuter one, which would probably solve the temperment problem as they mature. I didn't have a permit for him... you have to have one to legally keep ANY wild animal for a pet. The Wild Animal Police won't come get you, but if he attacks someone's pet or bites someone (you included) and the cops or emergency room becomes involved, you'll be in deep doo doo if you don't have the required permits.

Answer 6

From my experience with raccoons, I have found that they are more scared of you, then you are of them. I know this because there is an outdoors garbage bin, close to me, that they get stuck in. I often let them out of the garbage bin, and have patted some of them as well.

I have read though, that they can be territorial, and subject to mood swings near mating times. I think it might be a good idea to keep the raccoon-family relationship to outdoors only.

Answer 7

I have had this problem since I bought my house. I have been around raccoons all my life. They are wild animals but nonaggressive if not feeling threatened. I chase them out of the house but would never corner or approach one (I use a broom). They can be rabid. They will not be aggressive towards the cat unless it is agressive towards them. I don't know the layout of your house but in mine there's no way a coon could accidentally get cornered. I have successfully caught many of them in a humane trap and released them far out in the country. Harbor Freight sells one for $30 or many shelters will loan you one.
If you can get the cat to come in, you can just close the cat door at dusk and open in the morning-they won't come in in the daytime.
In any case please tell your wife she is taking a big risk-coons are NOT furry little people and mama brought her babies to eat,not out of any affection for you.

Answer 8

Raccoons are dangerous. Even if it is very tame, there is a possibility that it could scratch or bite a member of your family, and many of them have rabies so your family and your cat could get very sick. I recommend that you call animal control and have them take care of it.

Answer 9

I had one decide to take up residency in the between the walls in my house. That thing was loud!! Even though I beat on the wall, it refused to budge. So, I called a wildlife trapper to come get it... which he did. He told me some interesting things about them, one of which is this. If one decides to turn on your wife, it can make mincemeat out of her hand. Also, the sharp teeth and claws can easily kill your cat. Call someone to take her and the babies away. You'll be avoiding a potential disaster, and You'll sleep better at night.

Answer 10

The raccoon is a wild animal, not a pet. They carry disease and ticks. And your wife really should not be up close and personal with them. She really needs to stop feeding the "Wild Animals". very dangerous practice. God bless****