Raccoons are known for their black eyes, which make their faces look like masks. While you may have seen them in the wild they are curious and entertaining as pets.
Raccoons are mammals which are commonly found. A fully grown raccoon is about 30 inches long, with a long tail. They have very endearing habits are very mischievous by nature. You have to make sure that it is legal to keep them as pets, because many areas have laws prohibiting the keeping of raccoons as pets. The most common raccoon which is kept as a pet is the common or ring-tailed raccoon, though there are many other species.
Housing the raccoon
In the wild the raccoon lives in a den usually in a tree hollow. As a pet, you should keep it in a secure box with holes for breathing, particularly when it is a baby. When it is big it needs space to move around so a four foot square secure space is necessary. It will also need a place exclusively to sleep. Make sure that you have a warm and secure place for it.
You keep it housed free from drafts and if it is a baby it needs to be in a warm place. It is advisable to keep more than one raccoon as they like to be in a family or group environment. Also, when raccoons reach sexual maturity, their behavior can get aggressive and surly.
Keep toys meant for babies, chew toys, stones, pebbles and shells as also pine cones, branches, acorns around as they like the feel of nature and will like to play with the toys.
Feeding your raccoon
Raccoons are omnivorous and eat anything and everything. Ready made foods meant for cats or ferrets can be given to them. Apart from that you can give them vegetables, fish, eggs, insects, frogs and fruits. They eat all table scraps as well and often have the habit of begging at the table. If you give them scraps, make sure you do not give them over salted or sweetened foods.
If you get a very small baby raccoon you will have to baby feed him or her via a bottle normally formula meant for puppies may be a good idea but check with the vet or the breeder.
Make sure that your pet has access to water and, if possible, running water. Raccoons often live near a water source and have the habit or washing their food before eating it.
Training and handling
Raccoons are demanding pets and require a lot of attention and supervision. However, you can train them much as you can a cat or dog. The raccoon has great adaptive powers and is fairly intelligent as well. However, as they are basically wild animals, you have to be careful that they don’t feel threatened as they can bite and become aggressive otherwise. Like small children they can manipulate you to get what they want and even feel jealous if your attention is diverted. At the same time they are very affectionate.
You can train your pet to use a litter box inside or outdoors. If you want it to stop doing something, you will have to say no in a very firm voice till it gets the message. You may have to raccoon proof your house, as it can get into all kinds of odd places.
The pet will need a proper bath with a mild shampoo only about twice a year. Other times just keep a bowl of water handy where it can rinse itself off.
Medical
Your pet will need to be vaccinated against various diseases (including rabies) and you will have to find a vet who treats this animal as well. If it does not look well or gets lethargic, you will have to take him to a vet.
The raccoon makes an entertaining pet as long as you keep it happy. At the same time there have been instances where raccoons have attacked humans, even those who have kept them, so you have to be very certain of what you are doing when you take on the responsibility (and the possible dangers) of keeping a raccoon as a pet.
