Racoons as pets?

Question

My daughter has one, I want to know any experience anyone has with these as a pet. So far she clings to my daughter and follows her everywhere, eating what my daughter eats-like junk food too.

Answer 1

I hope that this is a captive-bred animal purchased from a reputable breeder, and that you take it to the vet regularly.

Many people in rural areas keep raccoons as pets. However - and I can not stress this strongly enough - it is ILLEGAL to capture a wild raccoon and keep it as a pet, not to mention DANGEROUS.

Raccoons are one of the major carriers of rabies, especially if you live on the east coast, anywhere from Virginia through New England.

"Raccoons act as a reservoir for rabies in the United States. In fact, the majority of rabies cases in the U.S. are in wildlife, with raccoon cases predominating. In the U.S., 90% of all rabies cases occur in wildlife. During 2000, raccoon rabies made up 41% of wildlife cases diagnosed with skunks, bats and foxes making up the balance. To limit the exposure of humans and domestic animals to rabies, it is important for veterinarians to know the current geographic distribution of rabies, the procedure if a human or animal is bitten by a wild animal, and be familiar with rabies diagnostic testing.

Geographic distribution: Raccoon rabies was much less prevalent in the U.S. prior to 1950. From 1950-1970, the incidence of raccoon rabies began to rise, especially in Florida and Georgia. In 1977, a variant of raccoon rabies distinct from the southern variant was detected in Virginia and West Virginia. This variant has since spread north along the eastern seaboard to Ontario, Canada, and was reported in northwest Ohio in 1996. Eventually this rabies variant converged with the southern variant in North Carolina."
http://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2003/Summer/rabies.shtml

If it is a wild-caught raccoon, and it ever bites anyone, you must contact your local (county or state) health department and have the raccoon tested for rabies. Yes, this means the raccoon must be destroyed. If you do not want it destroyed, the person who was bitten must submit to treatment for rabies - a series of rather painful injections. They can not wait to see if they develop any symptoms - once a human shows symptoms, it is fatal.

" What is the treatment for rabies?

A series of vaccinations after exposure can prevent the disease. Once symptoms appear, there is no treatment."

http://www.dhpe.org/infect/rabies.html

If it is a legal pet, a captive-bred raccoon, talk to your vet about a proper diet for the animal - junk food is no better for animals than it is for people.

Answer 2

my sister raised one after the mom was hit by a car. she took the baby home and kept him over the winter then let him go the following year.he was quite a handfull and into everything. they like all kinds of food, she gave him pablum and milk at first then introduced him to fruit,meat,fish and veggies.as he grew his little hand would feel accross the supper table and grab steak or whatever off the plates. he always unlocked his own cage. got into the garbage,toilet paper. water that was anywhere to dip his food in including the toilet and ate her gold fish. he was a real cutie though and was part of the family until he got big enough to fend for himself. here in ontario canada it is against the law to keep one so there was no help from any local vets or spcas. they are very smart but a lot of work check with your humane society and see what they suggest. best of luck.

Answer 3

Though sweet and loving as most babies are, they will soon grow up and revert to their wild instincts. A client of ours bought an albino raccoon from a breeder, and she was adorable. A year later he dubbed her "the velociraptor" because of how vicious she became! She had to live in a large compound outside, and he had to care for her for many years until she died. He told me he was sorry he ever got her, but he did take responsibility for her. I recommend that your daughter turn the raccoon over to a licensed, experienced rehabber who can teach her to survive in the wild, where she belongs.

Answer 4

you can keep them as pets but they act like a 2 year old their whole life and will get into everything and need a lot of attention they have some at the animal shelter i volenteer at and i wouldn't suggest keeping one they make huge meeses espesialy as babies and need compainshp 24/7 they hate being alone and did i mention they stink it would take us an hour to clean the cage to wear they didn't stink and then they would stink again within 15 minutes so i wouldn't kep it unless you can handle the responsibility

Answer 5

Well I have never had one as a pet, but i know from experience that once they are grown ups, they can be little demons. Raccoons are wild animals, its just like having a lion as a pet, you dont know what they will do. maybe take it to a vet and ask some questions there.

Answer 6

Is it even legal in your state to keep a raccoon as a pet? You need to check your state laws. I would not suggest feeding it human junk food either.

Answer 7

It's illegal in some states. But why not have a raccoon as a pet? - Btw, I was watching raccoon videos all day yesterday. Hah.

Answer 8

Not a great idea. Wild animals are wild animals, and when people make attempts to socialize them, they usually get hurt. They're also known carriers for bundles of diseases.

Answer 9

Be sure to talk to the vet about having it vaccinated against rabies, and ask for additional suggestions.

Good luck.

Answer 10

just remember that they are WILD animals, even if it has been somewhat tamed. you don't say how old your daughter is, but if it was a child that i was responsible for and not an adult who is responsible for themselves, then i would not allow it. no matter how tame you think they are, it could still turn on you