Popular Pet Myths Explained: Can You Have A Raccoon As A Pet?

Raccoons are wild animals found in the jungles, but people are looking to adopt a pet raccoon these days, owing to how adorable they seem.

These animals are an integral part of the wildlife and are incredibly well known for their unique marks on their face. People have adopted a pet raccoon at times in the past years, but this is still a relatively uncommon phenomenon as these are wild animals and are primarily unpredictable.

It is illegal in most American states to own a pet raccoon, and wildlife experts also advise against keeping a raccoon as a pet at home. At the same time, those who have adopted animals like raccoons in the past have stated that the animal is of pretty high maintenance and difficult to pet.

Scroll down to know if you can have raccoons as pets other than the conventional options of dogs and cats.

Why is it illegal to have a raccoon as a pet?

Raccoons are wild animals, which is one of the primary reasons they are generally illegal to have as pets across some states in the United States and several other countries. In certain parts of the country, the laws regarding keeping a wild animal as a pet, such as a pet raccoon, are very strict.

When the raccoon gets loose or goes on to harm or scratch someone, the consequences can be harsh.

At the same time, there are several laws regarding owning a raccoon in some parts of the country where it is legal to own a raccoon in a particular locality.

Usually, a wilderness permit is required to own such wild pets in states where it is legal to have a pet raccoon in the house. It is generally considered illegal and unethical to capture a perfectly healthy species of wild animal and then force it to live in captivity for the rest of its life.

Some of the states where owning a raccoon are illegal are Colorado, Tennessee, New York, and many other places as well.

Can raccoons be domesticated?

Raccoons are wild animals who generally need a lot of open space as they are accustomed to living in the wild, and thus it won't be easy to domesticate them.

If you adopt a raccoon at a young age and then tame and train it, it can turn out to be a loving pet, but usually, these animals tend to be pretty mischievous and can hurt some people.

In the past, it has been understood that it can be a challenge to keep raccoons as pets as they tend to climb and jump to explore places that can be troublesome inside an enclosed area such as a room.

Additionally, raccoons require a lot of care and attention, and it could be pretty challenging to commit to taking care of a raccoon in the long run.

Raccoon Behavior And Temperament

Raccoons are animals that are very well known for their memory power and the unique ability to solve problems. Raccoons are nocturnal animals meaning they tend to be especially active at night. If kept inside a home, a pet raccoon will tend to display all its wildlife traits as if it's in its natural living environment.

Irrespective of whether it is an adult raccoon or a young baby raccoon, raccoons often become out of control as pets and use their teeth, claws to harm property. These are wild animals who become agitated when kept in captivity and can destroy your bedsheets, decorative items for no reason, just out of fun.

Additionally, raccoons are curious, restless and tend to break through latches to satisfy their motive.

How long do raccoons live in captivity?

The average life span of a raccoon significantly differs based on whether it lives in the wild or is kept in captivity. As pets, raccoons tend to live significantly longer as they do not have to fight for food as they do in the wild and are also protected from a range of diseases in captivity.

They can be under the care of a veterinarian.

On average, the life expectancy of raccoons living in the wild is around two to three years, whereas a pet raccoon living in a healthy protected space is approximately 10-15 years. Raccoons living in captivity get to eat more nutritious food than the food raccoons living in the wild feast on.

The diet of a raccoon plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health of the animal.

Raising A Pet Raccoon

Once you are allowed to have raccoons as pets in your state, there are several points you need to keep in mind to ensure that you properly take care of this wild animal. First, you should contact a reputed raccoon breeder rather than bring one from the wild.

In some ways, raising raccoons inside a home is similar to raising kids as they tend to have fun jumping around; thus, it is essential that you baby-proof your home. Moreover, when it comes to what to feed domesticated raccoons, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian for raccoons tend to eat both plant and meat-based food.

Ethics Of Having A Pet Raccoon

Raccoons are animals that generally belong to the wild, and even though it is now legal to have a pet raccoon in various states, many believe it is unethical to own one.

Several environmentalists and animal lovers believe that forcing a healthy wild animal to live in captivity is unethical and thus should be deemed illegal. Raccoons tend to be pretty cute and lovable, but these are animals who are naturally meant to live in the jungles.

States, where you can legally own a raccoon include Oklahoma, Florida, Indiana, Nebraska, and many more.