If you suspect that you’ve come across a possibly rabid animal, you need to contact wildlife removal services immediately as it could present an immediate danger to other animals or humans in the area. It might be tempting to feed raccoons and other wild animals, but it’s important for you to avoid the temptation to do so. If left untreated, it could have fatal consequences. Is It a Good Idea to Have a Raccoon as a Pet Animal? Raccoons carry a parasitic disease, roundworm. If you are bitten by one of these animals it’s important to visit your health care professional immediately. Don’t let your home become a raccoon apartment complex. About the same size or larger than a house cat, raccoons are strong and stocky. They look like an exotic pet. Noises in the Attic – How to Identify Animals in Attic. Pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs should be kept indoors at all times if there are raccoons in your area. I have never, and would never feed raccoons, but I have a friend who loved to have several families come to her house to be fed. The most feared of which is rabies. The good news is that if you are bitten by a rabid animal and seek treatment immediately you can fully recover from rabies infection. Never attempt to feed or handle a wild raccoon. Not just that, raccoons are covered in parasites and their saliva is full of viruses and bacteria. Great information about raccoon control company in Ohio. Raccoons can be dangerous for many reasons: Raccoons will poop in just about anywhere they find suitable. Leave a plate of table scraps or dog food in an area with some light so you can observe them too. Do not feed them. A wild raccoon will easily perceive you as a threat and act accordingly by biting or scratching. One user pointed out that feeding raccoons could have an effect on an entire neighborhood, not just the folks feeding them. We provide customized solutions that are humane and affordable. Dangers to Household Pets Raccoons can carry a number of parasites and diseases which can be transmitted to cats and dogs. If the thought of thousands of raccoons flocking to your home on a nightly basis doesn’t scare you, make sure you’re giving them the right food for their diet and that you aren’t feeding them by hand. Raccoon feces and urine are carriers of diseases like Leptospirosis and raccoon roundworm, some of which can be fatal to your pet or cause serious health issues. As far as I know, they have never had any bad experiences in feeding them so far. Raccoons are typically fearful of humans, but continued feeding may cause them to lose their fear and even become aggressive in order to find more food. The feces of a raccoon carrying the Baylisascaris roundworm may have the eggs of this virus, and if this enters the soil or the water, it isn’t very hard to see these eggs entering the mouths of humans either. Few animals will turn their noses up at a free meal, and a raccoon is no exception. Raccoons are opportunists. Keep the environment safe for everyone and call in our raccoon removal Toronto company. A few happy, well-fed raccoons can quickly multiply. Raccoons normally find their way in through the attic, either through a hole or by chewing their way in. The cuteness of raccoons is often the catalyst for an attack. Raccoon poop has the potential to cause real dangers. Separated from their mothers, baby raccoons are entirely defenseless and susceptible to dehydration. It’s also important to remember that no matter how cute and cuddly raccoons look, they are not pets and will not hesitate to bite a person. This is one of the most serious and worrisome facts about raccoons. They will return to your home for a more and likely break into your garbage and make a mess. Such locations may include your garage, woodpiles, haylofts, surfaces of fallen logs, elevated tree forks, or large rocks. The dangers of the presence of raccoons around pets or their pet food can cause great concerns. Some possible legal issues from feeding wildlife can include: A scared animal attacking yourself or nearby humans – resulting in personal injury lawsuits. When the raccoons learn that humans are not a … Raccoons are unlikely to attack a dog due to their size but have been known to attack and kill small dogs. The bottom line: you don’t want to feed them and encourage them onto your property. Don’t light up your yard too much, and try to keep noise at a minimum, since that will keep them away. Raccoons can be very aggressive especially when protecting their young. Feed baby raccoons puppy replacement powder in an equal mixture of sterilized water and goat’s milk. Any person who has handled a raccoon of any age should consult a physician immediately. You don’t need to try to find raccoon poop around your property. That could pose a particular risk if you have young children or developmentally delayed individuals at home. Don’t feed raccoons! This, along with being hand-fed by well-meaning humans, results in the raccoon wanting to move from their forest homes in the trees closer to its food source--your house. They don't happen to be courteous house guests. Another growing concern is a roundworm (Baylisascaris) found in raccoon feces that can infect humans and pets. If you feed them they,are likely to want to nest and breed on your property. Continue reading to learn why feeding raccoons is a detrimental and dangerous risk to … And while this disease doesn’t affect them, it can be very dangerous for humans, being able to cause neurological damage and even death. They can also carry a whole host of different diseases. Raccoons are not domesticated and can be unpredictable. Copyright © 2021 Raccoon Removal | Raccoon Control, Professional Raccoon Exclusion from Decks, Professional and Humane Raccoon Baby Removal, Professional Raccoon Removal From Chimneys. While a skunk’s spray isn’t necessarily dangerous, it can cause eye irritation and even temporary blindness. They may just start waiting on your property to be fed. How Would Your Pick A Raccoon Removal Company. "Very dangerous too. The most common types of parasites and diseases that raccoons may carry, and which pose a risk include: rabies, distemper, … Keep raccoons out of attics and crawl spaces, and supervise young children and pets outdoors to make sure they don’t come into contact with raccoon feces. And if you fed a raccoon too much and now it’s living in your attic then you should probably call a professional raccoon removal Toronto to come by and get that thing out before it turns your attic into a latrine. Prevention is the key here. This video, while incredible, is also a reminder of the dangers of feeding wild animals. When people feed raccoons, the animals can lose their fear of people and approach them seeking food. They will return to your home for a more and likely break into your garbage and make a mess. The choice is clear, call Raccoon Control today. Do not feed raccoons: leaving out items like compost, pet food, fallen fruit, and garbage bags will only encourage wildlife to investigate your property. Babies should be fed multiple times a day. Dangers Of Feeding Raccoons. In Ontario, it’s illegal to kill or harm wild animals, so if you find yourself in a position where you have unwanted animals on your property you need to call in the professionals. Raccoon roundworm is a rare but very dangerous infection that can affect both humans and our pets. Feeding raccoons is actually a very bad idea. Also, don’t try to get rid of them yourself. The natural food supply is one of nature’s ways of keeping animal populations at appropriate levels. Strange behaviour is often a sign of rabies. So if you find a raccoon on your property does not feed it, do not help it forget how to survive in the real world. Raccoon Roundworm. Step 2 - Leave Food. Raccoons sleep during the day and venture out at night. However, raccoon waste contains a variety of parasites and diseases, which might affect you, your family, and pets. I know, it’s tempting, the raccoons are so cuddly and adorable like an itty bitty teddy bear that wants snuggles. Raccoons and other wild animals are part of our world, but that doesn’t mean that it’s wise to try to interact or feed them. Raccoons can be aggressive towards pets, although they will mostly be after the food. Individuals who have participated in the handling, care, feeding and cleaning of any raccoons should be evaluated for exposure to the following diseases and be informed of all the potential human health risks caused by wildlife and raccoons. Never feed a baby raccoon cow’s milk. It’s not uncommon to find raccoons on your property, especially if there are sheltered isolated places where they can nest or trash cans for them to pillage. If they are then not fed, they may become aggressive, even biting or scratching. It is dangerous to get bit by a raccoon knowing that some raccoons carry rabies. But, it is not wise to ever feed raccoons. Raccoons are perfectly capable of finding their own food and surviving without our help, even in the winter. Raccoons are opportunists that gravitate towards the easiest and most accessible source of food. Baby raccoons require very different care. Raccoons are filthy creatures. Raccoon removal for residential and commercial clients. Raccoon secretions, for instance, can transmit leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause flu-like symptoms or even kidney and liver problems. It is quite easy for your pet to … If the animal has rabies and harms you seek medical attention immediately. This article will talk about raccoon poop, its dangers, and how to clean it. Raccoons can be dangerous and potentially deadly to small pets. The easiest way to make a den (your attic) the easiest way to food and water, they don’t like to work very hard is what I’m saying. Keep garbage out of reach of raccoons. If you too have a problem with pest raccoons call us to book an inspection. Being hurt or injured while on someone else's property, which can involve trespassing or property lawsuits. However, if you see many raccoons out and about, there is a good chance they are being attracted to your home for a particular reason, and you don’t want them to make YOUR home THEIR home. Never attempt to feed or handle a … Because they feed on seeds among other things, you’re likely to find these in their poop. Raccoons will typically waddle up to the food bowl, grab handfuls of food, and move away to feed before returning. If you feed them, they may come near and take food right from your fingertips, without harming you at all. How Dangerous Are Raccoons? If the animals start using your yard as a latrine, or if they settle inside your house, … Not everyone is as nice to animals as you are. But feeding raccoons can cause a whole heap of problems. So the raccoons were getting into everything on our deck My wife decided to make peace with the critters and began to feed them dry cat food. Raccoons are unsafe to individuals and family pets when caught, ill, or guarding their young. Raccoons can carry diseases that can spread to humans. What Attracts Raccoons? Raccoon roundworm is another threat when dealing with raccoons on your property. Are Raccoons Dangerous? They can also carry a whole host of different diseases. Even if the raccoon in question is not rabid, they can still transmit bacterial diseases and inflict nasty bites. This can be very dangerous for a wild animal—not everybody likes raccoons! You should never interact with a wild animal that is acting erratically or seems to be too human-friendly. There’s a good chance that you or the raccoons could get injured in the process. They are exceedingly dangerous to have in the house for various reasons. By feeding them, you are just making them more dependent on humans, and actually making them more vulnerable! In short, no, raccoons are not dangerous around the home. If you have a raccoon problem, do not antagonize the situation by feeding them. The raccoons excrete this parasitic worm and its eggs in their feces. It’s a dangerous animal with sharp claws and teeth and a penchant for having rabies. Give these animals a wide berth in order to protect yourself and your family from unwanted attacks. Not just that, raccoons are covered in parasites and their saliva is full of viruses and bacteria. Outdoor pet food, gardens, fruit trees, berry bushes, unsecured trash cans and places to hide under porches or decks are all attractive to raccoons. This particular animal will even teach itself how to undo latches and open containers. Raccoons are filthy creatures. Your home is literally at risk of being destroyed by them. Rabies is almost always fatal to humans if it’s not treated immediately. Raccoons are not domesticated and can be unpredictable. I tried to tell her the dangers of rabies and other diseases, as well as them hurting her cats, but never got her to change her mind. They can even behave like a pet. Another significant danger is raccoon droppings. This is the main reason why you need to get eliminate raccoon droppings, the moment you see them. Although it is not illegal to feed wild raccoons, it is a practice that is widely discouraged in the wildlife rescue and control industry. If the traps are moved or fussed with, you know that the raccoons are actively pursuing your home. It might be tempting to feed raccoons and other wild animals, but it’s important for you to avoid the temptation to do so. Although rare, raccoons can carry rabies. Even if the animal isn’t rabid it can transfer all kinds of terrible parasites and diseases to you just by touching them. Also, feeding raccoons attracts them to your home, which is something you don’t want. Defensive Fighters. You are training them to rely more on humans and to become more vulnerable to threats. A number of things can attract raccoons to your home. Feeding the raccoons can also bring more into an area than would otherwise be there, causing a spread of parasites and disease. It attacks the central nervous system and is one of the most serious infection you could contract from wild animals. But it’s not. The pests' presence also poses serious health risks. They are not domesticated and they will freak out and attack you if you get too close. The are very strong and can do a lot of damage to your property. When you’re dealing with wild creatures, it’s far better to be safe than sorry, which is why you should avoid feeding raccoons at all costs. The cuteness of raccoons is usually the catalyst for an attack. Wild animals should not be fed by humans. Raccoons are dangerous to people and pets when cornered, ill, or protecting their young. It is not sensible to ever feed raccoons. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, raccoons carry diseases, such as rabies, roundworms, fleas and parvovirus, which threatens the health of both people and pets. These shots tend to be painful and often expensive; another great reason to avoid wild raccoons. Stay away from it because it could be rabid, don’t touch it or pet it, because you could die. It’s important for you to get a rabies series of shots right away. Feeding them only teaches them to associate humans with food, and makes them bolder and more likely to approach people. If you feed raccoons and they decide to stay, you may end up with a highly contaminated raccoon latrine somewhere on your property. Raccoon roundworm. Instead, call in the professionals who are aware of Ontario’s wild animal regulations and can eradicate your problem. Wildlife removal services are uniquely equipped to be able to remove raccoons humanely and safely. We can’t answer the question, are raccoons dangerous, without talking about the dangers of raccoon droppings. They will always go for the easy way. Raccoon Dangers. Raccoons are naturally shy animals that favor to retreat when they sense humans nearby. Do not feed them.