Overland Animal Hospital and Pet Resort Reviews

Photo Courtesy: Tito the Raccoon/YouTube

Accept y'all ever wanted to pal around with a pet raccoon? Well, if you alive in i of the states that allow pet raccoons, that dream could exist a reality. Then, which states allow for raccoon domestication? The listing includes:

Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Indiana
Nebraska
North Carolina
S Carolina
Virginia
Michigan
Wyoming
Wisconsin
Texas
Rhode Island
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Westward Virginia

Simply merely considering yous can adopt a pet raccoon, does that hateful yous should? Afterward all, there are quite a few logistical hoops to jump through permit-wise — and a lot of hard-and-fast rules. For instance, in Arkansas, a person can't ain more than v raccoons at a time. In Indiana and other states, the possessor must have a wild animal permit. And, in Northward Carolina, a veterinarian must "approve" the animate being before it's brought into the land.

Is Information technology Safe to Have a Raccoon As a Pet?

Aside from the legality issues in some states, you lot may as well desire to consider your lifestyle and access to resources. Although that may audio like run-of-the-mill pet adoption advice, it'south also true that raccoons are not your average house pets. For example, acquiring a raccoon pet is much more than hard than adopting a cat or dog. Attempting to domesticate the wild raccoon who visits your yard is a terrible idea, then, if you're serious most your adoption efforts, you lot'll want to contact a wild fauna rehabilitator or veterinarian who may know of an injured raccoon in demand of a foster home.

Moreover, if y'all come across a baby raccoon in nature, make sure information technology has actually been orphaned and/or injured before you lot attempt to come to its rescue. If the babe isn't obviously injured, the Humane Society suggests placing it under a apparel hamper (with a calorie-free weight on top) or in a pet carrier with an angled stick keeping the door closed. That way, if it turns out that the female parent is only out hunting, she can hands jump her baby from the ad hoc pen when she returns.

If waiting around for a raccoon in demand isn't your affair, you lot may also be able to adopt one — for a fee — from an established breeder. But, earlier you commit, in that location's a peachy deal of other factors to consider earlier bringing a raccoon into your dwelling.

The Health and Habitat Considerations of Pet Raccoons

Ironically, many of the reasons that raccoons can make excellent pets for some people are also why they're not a good fit for others. That is, raccoons are very intelligent little creatures, and they have great memories and trouble-solving skills. Due to their intelligence, raccoons tin exist potty trained and, much like dogs, learn their names and a few bones commands. On the other hand, raccoons can also portray some cat-like habits: While they might understand a command, that doesn't ever translate into obedience.

Some raccoons have been known to bond with their human owners, especially when adopted at a very young age. But even raccoons born in captivity tend to retain many of the traits they'd rely on if they lived in nature. In other words, they might be quick to seize with teeth when annoyed or scared. So, an aggressive preparation approach probably isn't the path forrard when it comes to raising a raccoon. Moreover, yous might non desire to prefer a raccoon if your household is populated by young children or other pets.

Much similar whatsoever pet, raccoons need to get in their exercise. These naturally curious creatures can't exist idle, and, instead, demand plenty of space to roam and explore. Instead of trying to crate train a raccoon, consider assuasive them free range of your habitation and providing them with an enclosed outdoor space as well. This will likely mean raccoon-proofing your business firm, specially because these cute critters dearest to chew, climb, and mess with items. Think you'll exist able to just supervise them? You might desire to reconsider. Raccoons are nocturnal after all.

Everything Else Y'all Need to Know Most Pet Raccoon Intendance

Before bringing whatever pet into your home, you'll want to do your research. After all, a healthy pet is a happy pet. Commencement, you'll want to make sure that there'due south a vet in your area who treats raccoons since they don't tend to be the about mutual pets. Much like a dog, your raccoon volition demand to be vaccinated against common diseases, such as rabies. And, unless you lot want to deal with raccoon "puberty," you'll want to have your new pet spayed or neutered.

Every bit far as feeding goes, raccoons are omnivores, which means they swallow both meat and plants. If yous're looking for an easy solution, pet raccoons eat grain-free domestic dog nutrient, but they can also subsist on a diet of poultry, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables — and even mice. Of course, you'll also desire to make certain your pet has access to clean water. In order to mimic a wild raccoon'due south diet, try giving your pet nuts and seeds as treats. If you lot actually desire to play into their scavenging instincts, try hiding these treats around the house, in small boxes, or on shelves. This will keep them both physically and mentally active.

So, What Do Raccoon Owners Have to Say?

A few years ago, a tame raccoon named Tito began taking the internet by storm afterwards his owner Mitchell rescued him from an cranium while working a pest control job. As Tito was but a baby at the time, Mitchell made several attempts to contact animal rehabilitation centers, but didn't have much luck. Eventually, the ii became friends. And Tito went on to go a YouTube and Instagram sensation.

Photograph Courtesy: Tito the Raccoon/YouTube

Mitchell and his wife, Sara, concluded up adopting 2 more rescue raccoons, Cheeto and Piper. At present the trio of raccoons pose for adorable photos and create charming artwork for their fans to purchase. Once, Tito even tried his mitt at ASMR. "We practice not recommend a pet raccoon to most people," Mitchell noted in an FAQ on his website.

"Raccoons require a lot of time, space, and resource that virtually people cannot adjust!" On the other hand, for the right people raccoons tin can brand incredible pets. Simply know that no matter how fun and trendy Instagram makes raccoon buying look, you're in information technology for the long haul. Seriously. While the average raccoon lifespan in the wild is anywhere from 2 to ten years, domesticated raccoons can alive for upwardly to 20 years. So, if you have the time, free energy, and determination, look into becoming a raccoon parent. Just recall to practise your research and requite it a lot of idea earlier taking those first steps.