What Not to Feed Raccoons: Protecting Your Community and Wildlife
Absolutely avoid feeding raccoons processed human foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, as well as pet food, which can lead to dependence, health problems, and increased conflict between raccoons and humans. This article provides a comprehensive guide on what not to feed raccoons? and how to ensure the health and safety of both these creatures and your community.
Understanding the Risks of Feeding Raccoons
Feeding raccoons might seem like a harmless act of kindness, but it poses significant risks to both the animals and the environment. Understanding these risks is crucial to promoting responsible wildlife management.
- Dependency and Loss of Natural Foraging Skills: Raccoons are naturally skilled foragers. Regular feeding creates a dependence on humans, diminishing their ability and willingness to hunt for food in their natural environment.
- Health Problems: Human food is often nutritionally inappropriate for raccoons, leading to obesity, malnutrition, and other health problems.
- Increased Conflict: Feeding raccoons attracts them to human-populated areas, increasing the likelihood of encounters and potential conflicts, including property damage and the spread of diseases.
- Disease Transmission: Raccoons can carry rabies, raccoon roundworm, and other diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets. Concentrating raccoons in feeding areas increases the risk of disease transmission.
Food Items to Avoid: The Comprehensive List
Knowing what not to feed raccoons is the first step towards responsible coexistence. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Processed Human Foods: These are perhaps the most detrimental.
- Sugary Foods: Candy, cookies, cakes, and other sweets can lead to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
- Salty Foods: Chips, pretzels, and heavily salted snacks can cause dehydration and kidney damage.
- Fatty Foods: Fried foods, bacon, and other high-fat items contribute to obesity and heart disease.
- Pet Food:
- Dog and Cat Food: While seemingly nutritious, pet food lacks the specific nutrients required by raccoons and can disrupt their natural diet. It can also contain ingredients that are harmful to them.
- Bread and Grains: These offer little nutritional value and can lead to digestive issues.
- Dairy Products: Raccoons are lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest dairy, leading to gastrointestinal distress.
- Alcohol and Chocolate: These are toxic to raccoons, as they are to many animals.
Best Practices for Responsible Wildlife Interaction
Instead of feeding raccoons, focus on creating an environment that discourages them from seeking food near your home.
- Secure Garbage Cans: Use heavy-duty garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and secure them with bungee cords or straps.
- Remove Food Sources: Clean up any spilled food or crumbs around your property.
- Close Off Access to Potential Food Sources: Keep pet food indoors, clean bird feeders regularly, and harvest fruits and vegetables promptly.
- Educate Your Neighbors: Encourage your neighbors to adopt responsible wildlife practices and avoid feeding raccoons.
Natural Foods for Raccoons
Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods in their natural environment. Their diet typically includes:
- Fruits: Berries, apples, and other fruits.
- Nuts and Seeds: Acorns, nuts, and seeds.
- Insects: Grubs, worms, and other insects.
- Small Animals: Frogs, rodents, and fish.
- Eggs: Bird eggs and reptile eggs.
These naturally available foods provide a balanced and healthy diet for raccoons without creating dependence on humans.
Common Mistakes People Make
Even with good intentions, people can make mistakes when interacting with raccoons.
- Leaving Food Out “Just This Once”: Even occasional feeding can encourage raccoons to return.
- Believing Raccoons are Starving: Raccoons are resourceful animals and can typically find food on their own.
- Ignoring the Risks of Disease Transmission: Raccoons can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets.
- Underestimating the Attractiveness of Garbage: Secure garbage cans are essential to prevent raccoons from accessing food waste.
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| :——————————– | :————————————————————————————– |
| Leaving food out occasionally | Encourages raccoon dependence, increases visits. |
| Thinking raccoons are starving | Misguided perception; raccoons are natural foragers. |
| Ignoring disease risk | Increased risk of rabies, raccoon roundworm, and other disease transmission to humans/pets. |
| Underestimating garbage appeal | Raccoons attracted to unsecured garbage, leading to property damage and health risks. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What specific health problems can result from feeding raccoons human food?
Feeding raccoons human food, especially processed foods, can lead to a range of health issues. Common problems include obesity, diabetes, malnutrition (due to lack of essential nutrients), dental problems from sugary foods, and kidney damage from excessive salt. These health issues can significantly shorten a raccoon’s lifespan and reduce its overall quality of life.
Is it ever okay to leave food out for raccoons, even in emergencies?
Generally, no. Even in emergencies, it’s best to avoid directly feeding raccoons. If you’re concerned about their welfare during extreme weather, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for advice. They can provide guidance on how to support raccoons without creating dependence. They can also advise on the creation of water sources.
How can I discourage raccoons from coming onto my property without harming them?
There are several humane ways to deter raccoons. These include: securing garbage cans, removing potential food sources (like pet food and fallen fruit), trimming tree branches that provide access to your roof, and using motion-activated lights or sprinklers. These methods make your property less attractive to raccoons without causing them harm.
What is raccoon roundworm, and how can I protect myself from it?
Raccoon roundworm is a parasite that can be transmitted to humans through contact with raccoon feces. To protect yourself, avoid direct contact with raccoon feces, wear gloves and a mask when cleaning areas where raccoons may have defecated, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. It’s also important to keep children away from areas where raccoons frequent.
If I accidentally fed a raccoon, what should I do?
If you accidentally fed a raccoon, immediately remove any remaining food and clean the area thoroughly. Monitor your property for further raccoon activity and take steps to secure potential food sources. Avoid future direct interaction.
How do I safely clean up raccoon feces?
Wear disposable gloves and a mask. Carefully pick up the feces with a shovel or scoop and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Disinfect the area with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. Dispose of the sealed bag and the gloves in a secure trash can.
What are the signs of a sick raccoon?
Signs of a sick raccoon include lethargy, disorientation, stumbling, aggression, excessive drooling, and seizures. If you observe a raccoon exhibiting these symptoms, contact your local animal control or wildlife rehabilitation center immediately.
Can I feed raccoons if I live in a rural area?
Even in rural areas, feeding raccoons is discouraged. It can still lead to dependence, health problems, and increased conflict. Maintaining a healthy ecosystem is always preferred.
Are there any circumstances where feeding wildlife is acceptable?
In some circumstances, licensed wildlife rehabilitators may temporarily feed injured or orphaned wildlife as part of their rehabilitation efforts. However, this should only be done by trained professionals with the necessary permits.
How does feeding raccoons affect the ecosystem?
Feeding raccoons disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem. It can lead to an overpopulation of raccoons in certain areas, which can impact the populations of other species that compete for the same resources.
What should I do if my neighbor is feeding raccoons?
Start by having a polite and informative conversation with your neighbor, explaining the risks of feeding raccoons and sharing information about responsible wildlife interaction. If they continue to feed raccoons, contact your local animal control or homeowners association.
Besides food, what else attracts raccoons to my property?
Besides food, raccoons are attracted to shelter, such as unsealed crawl spaces, sheds, and attics. They are also attracted to standing water sources. Taking steps to eliminate these attractants can help deter raccoons from your property.