Raccoons, with their masked faces and curious nature, are undeniably fascinating creatures. As a wildlife rehabilitator at pets.edu.vn, specializing in native wildlife, I often encounter people captivated by these animals and the idea of keeping a pet raccoon. While their intelligence and playful demeanor are endearing, it’s crucial to understand the realities of raccoon ownership before considering bringing one into your home. Every year, I care for hundreds of orphaned raccoon kits, and through this experience, I’ve seen firsthand why, despite their initial charm, raccoons generally do not make good pets. Let me share some insights to help you make an informed decision.
The Enchanting Baby Raccoon Phase (Birth to 3 Months)
In the early months, a baby raccoon, or kit, can be incredibly captivating. Much like human infants, they require round-the-clock care, feeding from a bottle, burping, and cuddling. Their playful antics resemble fluffy bear cubs, and their affection is seemingly boundless. During this period, you might find yourself utterly charmed. Imagine bottle-feeding a purring, soft bundle of fur, carrying your “baby” raccoon everywhere, and envisioning elaborate indoor playgrounds. You might even find yourself taking countless photos and jokingly considering them as heirs in your will. The initial bond is strong, and the commitment feels unwavering.
The Shift in Dynamics: Teenage Raccoon Challenges (4 to 7 Months)
However, the idyllic baby phase is fleeting. As your raccoon grows into its juvenile stage, typically around 4 to 7 months, the dynamic changes dramatically. Those cute little scratches become more pronounced, and you might find yourself nursing more than just your affection. While weaning them off milk might seem like a milestone, their chewing habits evolve, and not always for the better. That funny smell in your bedroom might lead you to discover your mattress has become a target. Household items, like computer mice, may mysteriously vanish, only to reappear in unexpected places, or not at all. The grand jungle gym plans fade as you start contemplating a more secure enclosure – a cage. Unexpected expenses arise, perhaps from replacing a damaged purse or dealing with household mishaps. Mysteries unfold – like finding lipstick in your shoe or suspecting your valuables have taken a trip down the garbage disposal. And then there are the holes in the carpet, seemingly multiplying overnight, prompting furniture rearrangements to strategically hide the damage.
The Reality of Adult Raccoon Behavior (8 Months and Beyond)
By the time your raccoon reaches eight months old, the relationship may have taken a turn for the worse. Unless you’re offering a marshmallow, you might find yourself facing a creature that seems to actively dislike you. Marshmallows may become your entry ticket into your own home, carried strategically in your pocket. Your raccoon might wait menacingly on the doorstep, a daily gatekeeper. Forget the cuddly baby; you’re now potentially sharing your living space with a thirty-pound force of nature, capable of significant destruction and demanding constant vigilance. This is often the point when I receive calls from people who, months prior, dismissed my warnings and now desperately seek solutions for their “precious baby” turned household menace. Regret sets in as the reality of raccoon ownership becomes starkly clear.
Why Raccoons Are Best Left to the Wild: Consider the Alternatives
The truth is, raccoons are wild animals, and their complex needs and natural behaviors are often incompatible with domestic life. While the initial stages might seem manageable, the long-term challenges of keeping a raccoon as a pet are significant. Their intelligence and dexterity, while fascinating, translate to an unmatched ability to outsmart and outmaneuver household barriers, often leading to destruction and frustration. For those seeking companionship and a pet that fits more comfortably into a domestic setting, a cat is often a far more suitable and rewarding choice.
And if the behavioral challenges aren’t enough to deter you, consider “Raccoon roundworm.” A quick search will reveal the serious health risks associated with these parasites, further highlighting why raccoons are best admired from a distance and left in their natural habitat. Please, for your sake and the raccoon’s well-being, appreciate these amazing animals in the wild and choose a pet that is truly domesticated.
Annette King, Wildlife Rehabilitator at pets.edu.vn, Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue, Claremore, Oklahoma
