Raccoons can be dangerous, and spread a disease called rabies. Keep reading for an overview of bumble bees vs. honey bees to learn more about the differences and similarities between the two informal groups. Also keep the underside of the home and the areas around it … While the principle of sticking to more well known and domesticated animals for pets is generally a good one, it doesn’t really apply to raccoon dogs. There will be days where they want to play and cuddle all the time, and others were they want to treat to their own space. Perhaps the best way to get your feet wet with a raccoon as a pet is to purchase one from a breeder. Because of that, they usually need a full room inside or an outdoor enclosure that is entirely theirs. And urban raccoons are definitely not above rummaging through your trash can or eating any pet food you might keep outside. You’ve surely heard of different kinds of insects that eat plants like aphids and caterpillars. There are still versions of the snap trap from cartoons, but there are also other kinds like electronic traps. Learn more about the types of cookies we use by reviewing our updated Privacy Policy. If you have no other pets, it would be fun to raise them from a baby and get them to want to play with you. While we may still be making our way through the winter months, it’s always good to prepare for the change of seasons—especially when that means the reemergence of pesky creatures such as gophers. In some instances, the raccoons will use its claws to scratch the eyes of a dog or cat, and then bite it with some ferocious speed. Let us know on the Wide Open Pets Facebook!Â. With their big fluffy tails and perky ears, squirrels might seem like they’re too cute to be rodents. MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE: You should assume that this website has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection to the persons or businesses mentioned in or linked to from this page and may receive commissions from purchases you make on subsequent web sites. Thus, this is the reason that it may not be a good pet especially when you find it as an adult raccoon. Whenever possible, keep pets indoors at night. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these mammals are the most frequent carriers of rabies among wild animals. You will get the reasons why raccoons do not make good pet through this article. They are known as eaters who choose food based on opportunity. It seems that the radio had not been well anchored, and the raccoons had walked off with it. Unbeknownst to them, raccoons can be great pets since they are curious, mischievous, and most often plain old fun to watch and be around. If this is not possible, ensure that they are in a secure area that raccoons cannot penetrate. Ask your vet about the number of treats this means for your dog. There are several different subspecies of gopher snakes found in the United States. They are all about ugly..thank you for this helpful article. Raccoons are drawn by foods that are high in fat or sugar. 2:36. Domestic skunks, on the other hand, can make friendly companions and pet skunk owners say these curious animals make good exotic pets. Lv 6. Raccoons are very independent and still have wild instincts. Raccoons fall into the category of wildlife kept as pets. They can be trained to use a cat box, especially if you get it young. If you have fruit trees on your property and you don’t want possums eating the fruit that falls and rots on the ground, clear it … Garter snakes are one of the most common snakes found in North America and they appear throughout most regions of the United States and Canada. When people ask about getting a racoon as a pet I always tell them not to do it. They are not the kind of domestic pets you can leave alone for very long; When they get bored, your house can be destroyed in your absence! Clear fallen fruit promptly. There's a lot to take into account before deciding to bring a raccoon into your home! In addition, raccoons are susceptible to Baylisascaris parasites, a type of roundworm unique to these wild animals. Interesting hub. Raccoons make very interesting pets. Of course, it is important to keep in mind that every animal is individually unique. Try these do it yourself pest control ideas: Cut back overhanging tree branches and brush so raccoons can't get onto the roof. Do Sound Repellent Devices Really Keep Rodents Away?. Do Raccoons make good pets Yes or No. For example, raccoons that live near the water may snag crawfish or frogs from streams and creeks. People who think they can just dump a pet raccoon back into the wild when it gets too wild (surprise!) They’re ignorant. Not only that, but researchers have found that fruit flies can “transfer bacteria from a contaminated source, food, or waste to surfaces or ready-to-eat food. When they are quite young they can be quite friendly and gentle. Sparrows are aggressive and social birds that are competitive by nature towards other native birds. Sonic or ultrasonic sound repellents are marketed as a way to drive or frighten a variety of … The best thing you can do is research raccoons' needs and behaviors thoroughly before bringing one home. If there are, patch them up. Pet raccoons eat quite a variety of foods. Kinds of pets. Water While these pests are most likely to be active in the spring and summer when the soil is most malleable, they remain active in the winter by burrowing even further into the ground to escape the colder temperatures. Also, secure your coop with wire mesh rather than chicken wire, which raccoons can tear through. She came to us from a man who obtained her as an infant. Fireplace chimneys make great dens for pregnant raccoons. Raccoons belongs to the wild animal group and cannot possible be tamed as pet. They can be litter-box trained with a little patience. #2 NO!!! Besides the holes that gophers can burrow in your yard, they can also be a nuisance by chowing down on some of your plants. You can make a liquid pepper repellent that may keep raccoons away from your home and garden. The coati (pronounced ko-wot-ee and sometimes referred to as coatimundi) is a member of the raccoon family. skunks okay - some vets can remove the sprayer for you. These animals tend to release some scent as a form of communication with others. The good news is that they can be domesticated as pets. As of 2020, here are the states where it is reportedly legal to own a pet raccoon: A post shared by Raccoons 🦝 (@cutest.raccoons). They can become very attached to their owners and spend long periods of time snuggling. RACCOONS: Do raccoons make good pets? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Infographic to Help You Pest-Proof Your Home. However, if they are afraid or become angry, they can and will bite. Raccoons make good pets if you get them as a baby. We had a pet raccoon at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Voles can also cause lawn damage with their runways. This is the case for most exotic mammals. It’s not always just for the physical attacks, although these do happen much more frequently than you’d think. Raccoons cannot come from the wild, they must come from a licensed breeder, but this is a good thing due to rabies concerns. In fact, squirrels are part of the scientific order Rodentia, just as rats and mice are. It is a commitment that could last 16 years or more. This is called a “home range,” and it usually spans anywhere from one to 18 miles. If they are permitted where you live, the best way to get a pet raccoon is through an established breeder. 1:01. Gary Bogue: Raccoons do NOT make good pets Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) That means you definitely don’t want a gaze of raccoons in the attic this winter. As these masked critters can make a meal out of anything, you can pretty much find them everywhere in the United States, with the exception of Alaska. Favourite answer. A wider coop door makes for calmer entrances and exits as well as calmer birds. Keep all bird feeders a good distance away from your mobile home, as these attract squirrels, mice, voles and raccoons. Some chicken or fish, or high-quality dog food, should be used to supplement their varied diet. Raccoons are nocturnal and will happily munch on kibble if it’s available. © Copyright 2021, WOS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. They’re opportunistic when it comes to denning and can make a home out of fallen tree trunks, holes in trees or burrows that other animals have abandoned. While these small animals can be trained to use a litter box, if you irritate them, they will willfully punish you by having accidents and leave their feces around the home; Raccoons hold grudges! One look at their little masked faces and there is no doubt about it -- Raccoons are adorable. They need plenty of toys to keep them occupied, bedding, and things to climb on and explore. #3 YES!! Raccoons also need special care to keep them healthy within your home. You may be wondering, what plants do gophers eat? Make sure your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids to keep out raccoons along with dogs, possums and other unwanted scavengers. To make the pepper repellent, get a bottle of hot sauce or a jar or can of cayenne pepper. The trouble, to begin with, is that in many areas of the country, they are illegal to have as pets. There have also been accounts of abandoned baby raccoons or young raccoons being good pets, but adult raccoons becoming mean. Report. We are located in Tennessee and offer black raccoons, grey raccoons, cinnamon raccoons and albino raccoons for purchase. Colorado Parks and Wildlife maintains a complete list of wild animals prohibited as pets in Colorado. Browse more videos. The Definition of "Good Pet" Varies. Raccoons have a very good sense of smell, and they do not like the smell of pepper. More importantly, do you have to worry about them? They Are Wild Animal and Their Maintenance Is Very High One thing you need to know is that wild animals and pets do not have much in common. Raccoons can be remarkably affectionate. Keep pet food and water dishes inside. Unlike dogs, foxes do not follow commands and are still wild animals no matter other people's claims. There are animals that make good pets and animals that do not, and Raccoons are an animal that do NOT make good pets. If this is not possible, pour 1 cup of ammonia inside each can, sprinkle black pepper on the top bags, or place ammonia-soaked rags on top of the lids and secure them with bungee cords. You may also see small piles of droppings near trees or on your roof. While exotic pet baby raccoons are sweet and endearing, adult raccoons can bite and become destructive and vicious. Let me add that grubs can also be a danger to pets. Thursday, December 12, 2013. Raccoons as pets require a deep understanding of what you are getting into in terms of both personal sacrifice and financial costs. Raccoons should never be made pets. However, their meal of choice is going to depend on where they live. Like squirrels, raccoons can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees and descend trees headfirst. Take a look at the following information about raccoons so you can better understand why they might sneak into your attic or crawl space during colder months. (Cats’ claws don’t rotate and they have to back down trees.) While raccoons do bounce from den to den, they still keep to a set territory. Yes! So, do pet raccoons smell? All rights reserved. To prevent a stuck duck, make the duck coop door two or more ducks wide. Infected raccoons and bats can expose people, pets, livestock and other wildlife to rabies… Regardless of the region of the U.S. where they reside, raccoons live in dens. And don't give that they're wild animals bull crap. I have raised many, many orphaned raccoons for a local wildlife rescue group. By Sarahbeth Kluzinski on February 18, 2014 0. Raccoons Do Not Make Good Pets. Rarely does a exotic pet raccoon make a good pet. Of all the pets that are available to people the world over, most never consider a raccoon. Do Pet Raccoons Smell? Homeowners who compost may want to consider using a bin with a lid that can be sealed. While enthusiasts and wildlife rehabbers will tell you they are fascinating and loving companions, keeping raccoons as pets is rare for a reason. However, there are some raccoons out there who have successfully kept humans as pets with all parties living together happy and cage-free. Raccoons will eat many things. If you do think you have raccoons in the attic, crawl space or anywhere around your home, you should call a wildlife removal service. Yes or No ? The virus is present in some wildlife in Florida and can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family. Ducks like to do things in groups, including going through duck doors. Raccoons can learn their name and other commands, but because they are very clever, they can be selective about when they want to obey. I do realize that it would have been better to give her to the rehabber but the thought of her being chased by dogs, shot, trapped or ran over by a car was just too much to bear. Raccoons are not domestic animals and will need a special diet and they will need to be tested for any diseases they are or aren't carrying and vaccinated.If you have cats, it's not a good idea to bring raccoons home. There’s the famous Venus flytrap, of course. In fact, many are sold and kept as pets. Keep reading to learn more about this particular insect. To see all the types of pets, visit the Animal-World main page. Be aware that raccoons will likely be euthanized if they bite or scratch a member of the public to test for rabies because the vaccines are not approved for them. Keep reading to learn more about five of those species of gopher snakes, and how you might be able to identify them. - YouTube ... pet raccoon But while these wily critters are certainly cute and cuddly looking, they're not exactly the easiest pets in the world. Coati FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) What is a coati? Answer Save. They are the animals most people consider first, and they make some of the best pets. Not only do they cause a lot of damage . Raccoons have sharp nails for eating and climbing trees. It’ll vary based on their weight and activity level. That being said, you may see fewer raccoons in winter. Examine the exterior of your home to make sure there aren’t any openings through which raccoons could gain entry to your attic or crawl spaces. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies to analyze website traffic and improve your experience on our website. Playing next. Though it may be hard to tell these pests apart, knowing what each animal looks like and how they cause damage can help you practice the best gopher, mole and vole control methods and protect your home’s yard. Because these traps usually mean dealing with dead mice, plenty of people wonder if there’s a way to help get rid of mice without classic mouse traps. Some states require a permit to keep raccoons as pets, while others, like Arkansas , allow you to keep up to 6 raccoons. If you’ve recently come across an opossum, more commonly known as a possum, rabies might be on your mind. Again, the answer is no. “Somehow in the process of transporting the radio, the raccoons turned it up very loud, and … These mammals may also steal eggs from birds’ nests or sniff out insects or mice. Do raccoons make good pets. Jan 12, 2017 - Do Raccoons make good pets? Rather than letting your summer or fall garden go to seed, clear it out and throw away any dead vegetation. Watch Now: Top 10 Animals That Don't Make Good Pets. If you keep chickens, house them in a coop in which they can be locked at night. There are a lot of different insects with names that sound fairly alarming: cutworms, fungus gnats, and blister beetles, for example. Because of these factors, leave it to a trained technician to help you figure out how to get rid of raccoons. Make sure your trash can lids are sealed tightly so that raccoons can’t use your garbage as a food source. How to Help Remove Fruit Flies from Your Home. Good to know what to do! Rabies is a virus that may affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including dogs, cats and humans.Though preventable, there is good reason that the word “rabies” evokes fear in people. Great hub! But in fact, the two groups of bees are very different. There are no formulated raccoon diets that are pre-made and ready for you to purchase so it can be difficult to provide a proper, well-balanced diet for your pet raccoon. Continue to do your research on which animal is the best option for you to own. Tip. Keep grills and barbecues clean. However, you should check state and county laws first; Even if your state allows you to keep a raccoon, some city ordinances will prohibit homeowners from keeping these exotic pets. Getting rid of sparrows is a difficult task and may require a combination of methods to reduce their numbers. Do Raccoons Make Good Pets? The best: sugary foods. One common Florida bug that can be quite the nuisance is the blister beetle. Keep pets indoors. Raccoons can be aggressive, especially if cornered, and their droppings can contain parasites that are dangerous to people, so you should never touch them. The raccoon is a good swimmer and can stay in water for several hours.