'Raccoon Babies'

Linda (200.172.107.251) -

A lot of my friends want to get Raccoon babies for a pet. I think it is dangerous to have a wild animal for a pet.

Comment #1 geri (64.76.34.28) -

Raccoons are not pets in the way that cats and dogs are, no matter how many generations have been bred in captivity. At best, they can be considered a companion friend. At worst, a liability insurance nightmare! They live by one set of rules - theirs. And they change the rules whenever it suits them. They will melt your heart with their loving face. And shed your blood (any anything else you may value) with their razor sharp teeth and claws. If you keep a raccoon caged, all you will have is a caged wild animal, not a pet. If you let it have the run of your house, then it will be the raccoon keeping you as a pet as it does what it pleases to the house and you. And an adult raccoon is quite capable of causing a great amount of damage, to both you and your possessions, in a very short amount of time! I believe wild animals belong in the wild when at all possible.

Comment #2 MissyG (64.136.27.228) -

I agree with Geri here! My ex-father-in-law picked up a racoon baby and took it home. He raised it for a couple of years and it was the sweetest thing. It still ransacked the house regularly and bit his neices as well. Finally he took it out back and shot it, because it wouldn't go back to the wild when he drove it out there. It was still wild, just friendly toward him only.

Comment #3 najdoyza from the mountains (Contact Member) -

I've seen raccoons do a lot of damage outside, I cannot even imagine trying to raise one and letting it inside. I had one pair that ate 35 of my chickens in a week and scared all my rabbits underground, not to mention scratched the heck out of my poor goats because the tree the raccons had decided to nest in was in the goats pen. Took us a week to figure out what was going on. ANother week of trying to get them to relocate and finally we had to shoot them. I hated to do it but they were endangering all my other animals.

Comment #4 valerie (72.144.50.23) -

just like anything else it takes generations for a animal to become truly domesticated example horses dogs cats... these weren't tamed from one day to the next with proper care any animal came become a household pet. keep in mind they are still ANIMALS whom rely on INSINCT.

Comment #5 Jamie (67.175.78.249) -

i really don't care what anybody else thinks about racoons. they are by far my favorite animals. we found 3 baby racoons but only 2 lived. they were from the wild so they were truely "wild racoons". one was the sweetest thing you ever met and the other one became a little more agressive as it got older. we had to let both of them go because we couldn't find a vet who would nuter them. if your friend goes threw with this and gets one, make sure it is a baby and has been spayed/nutered. Also as a side note they are ALOT of work!!!

Comment #6 carissa (70.137.2.40) -

if anyone has a raccoon 4 sale please call { 405 246 6610}

well the reason i want a raccoon is because my mom had one she was amazing her name was patches but when i was at my

dads my moms step brother was getting the clothes out and

thats when he found her my mom was realy depressed.

Comment #7 kyle (152.163.100.137) -

I want to buy a baby raccon from a breeders around maryland or pennsylvania, please contact me if anyone know so a raccon breeder somewhat nearby maryland or pennsylvania

thanks-

Kyle

Comment #8 amber (69.133.144.157) -

I really hate seeing people wanting animals like this for pets. They get them and give them away within the year because they can't care for it. Some animals should be in the wild, not in a cage in a house or in a zoo.

Comment #9 dana (64.12.117.6) -

You people don't know what you are talking about. Raccoons are GREAT pets!!!! They are a lot of work!!! CONSTANT WORK!!!! BUT... A LOT of fun if they are spayed and nuetered. Make sure you get your pet raccoon fixed! If not, you are asking for trouble! They are by far the greatest animal alive!! The world should be full of them!!!

Comment #10 hannah (12.196.114.153) -

I was just thinking lately about getting a raccoon. My dad had one when he was really little and he said that it would ride on his shoulder when he rode his bike around town. I think that raccoons are so cute, too. I was wondering though, if there is a good chance that if I got a baby from the wild, that it would have rabies. Please tell me what you think about this.

Comment #11 Amber (69.143.66.165) -

Obviously you haven't even done your research becuase if you did then you would know there is no breeders in maryland they are illegal here.

Comment #12 AMBER (206.114.101.4) -

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH SOME PPL LIKE JAMIE. THEY ARE MY FAVORITE ANIMALS. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WAS GETTING HER FIXED, BUT SHE WAS SO SWEET. HER NAME WAS WEESHA. SHE CAME RIGHT UP TO A FRIEND OF MY MOTHERS AND HE GAVE HER TO US. SHE USED THE LITTER BOX, ATE DRY CATFOOD, AND LITTERALLY HOPPED IN THE SHOWER WITH US JUST TO APLASH AROUND. SHE ALSO SLEPT ON OUR PILLOWS AND PLAYED WITH YOUR HAIR AS WE FELL ASLEEP. WHEN WE WENT ON WALKS SHE FOLLOWED, TRAVLEING UNDER PARKED CARS. WE EVENTUALLY GAVE HER TO THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY TO BE A MOVIE RACCOON B/C THE WILDLIFE WAY STATION WOULDNT TAKE HER. AT THE TIME WE COULDNT GET A PERMIT B/C WE DIDNT HAVE THE LAND REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE AND YOU NEED A PERMIT TO FIX THEM. I HAVE EVERY INTENSION ON GETTING ANOTHER ONE WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.

Comment #13 AMBER (206.114.101.4) -

HANNAH...I GOT MINE FROM THE WILD AND IT DIDNT HAVE RABIES. I GOT SCRACHED SEVRAL TIMES B/C THEY HAVE REALLY SHARP NAILS, AND BIT TOO WHEN SHE WOULD PLAY ROUGH. BUT IT IS THE CHANCE YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE, B/C I MIGHT HAVE JUST GOTTEN LUCKY. EVERY ANIMAL IS DIFFERENT. GOOD LUCK.

Comment #14 Dave (64.5.174.166) -

I own & sell them I also raise White-tail deer Get your coons fixed and then the agression isn't as bad.There are many Vets now who will Fix them.My deer start at 600.00

Comment #15 racquel (68.88.115.154) -

Raccoons can make a good pet... You have to give them the run of the entire house! One room alone will not work.. He will tear the door down.. He will tear up carpet, linoleum... He will tear holes in walls. He will break anything breakable... and get into everything possible.

also, you must make sure raccoons are legal in your state. If they arent.. and you get caught.. usually the coon is destroyed.

Child proof locks do not work.. raccoons can break them in 2 seconds.. He will get into your fridge.. your oven... all the cabinets... they can open doors.. all doors... and if the lock is up the top.. they keep on pushing and scratching and tearing until they do get the door open!

You cannot keep them in a cage... how sad to keep raccoon in a cage.. ( I dont care how large) its entire life ( 20 years!)

Raccoons love attention... all the attention.. they love to be petted.. only when they want to be petted.. or you WILL get bitten.

so unless you own a "flinstone" house.. and are willing to make a ton of sacrifices.... please dont get one..

I have a 3 year old coon.. concrete floors... He sleeps in the kitchen cabinets.. my fridge no longer works.. neither does the dishwasher or the oven. I have to eat out every day.

We share the towels and he gets to use my toothbrush whenever he wants!

I own no personal items.. such as makeup, hairspray.

You will find raccoon hair all over me, my clothes.. everything.

the cleaning is constant.. and actually does no good to clean anyway..

but I bought him.. and Im responsible for what I tame.

He is with me till the end.

but.. I will NEVER have another one.

Comment #16 racquel (68.88.115.154) -

also... It is best to have them spayed or neutered. If not they become very aggressive during mating season. My raccoon plays very aggressive.. I have the scars to prove it.. They usually only bite the mommie. ( which really sucks!)

He is usually pretty sweet to people who come over.. If he does not like you.. he will lay his ears back and blow air out his nose.. ( and snot!) so stand back!!!

someone mentioned feeding their raccoon cat food... NOT GOOD!

Its way too fattening and has too much protein.. Raccoons that live in the home need a low fat diet. Maximum Nutrition is a good brand.. also Purina One w/ yogurt... the healthy weight formula.

baby coons can be fed cat food.. they need the fat when they are babies. but overweight adult can have heart problems and other problems.

Vaccinations are not a must if you the coon stays indoors all the time.. My coon was vaccinated as a baby but not since.

although occasional worming is still necessary b/c you can carry roundworm eggs in on the bottom of your shoes.. and raccoons love to dig the stuff off of the bottom of your shoes and eat it.

When we play.. I use thick welders gloves. He isnt meaning to be such a meanie... but he bites so hard. He also loves to sneak up behind me sometimes and bite me.. so im always looking over my shoulder.

He weighs 35-40 lbs which is about average for a house coonie.

I am also a wildlife rehabilitor... and I really love raising the baby orphans and releasing them back into wild..

If any of ya'll are from oklahoma.. baby coons will be here soon.. I could use some help!

I hate 18 babies last year.

you can play and love all them all you want.. until they are weaned... thats when they start getting into everything anyway.. :)

Comment #17 Sunny (68.94.147.24) -

Racquel-- I live in OK and would be interested in helping you rehabilitate some babies.. Where are you located?

Comment #18 Kami (144.96.153.47) -

I have an orphaned female baby coon. She's very sweet, and is beginning to eat on her own. My question is, I'm sure I need to worm her. I've been reading about Roundworm that coon's carry and it scares me. What should I worm her with? I was thinking kitten wormer, is that Ok?

Comment #19 HEATHER (166.217.194.25) -

I FOUND A BABY A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND I AM HOPING IT STAYS ALIVE I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ALL I NEED TO TO KEEP IT ALIVE IT SEEMS ALRIGHT AND HE ALREADY LOOKS LIKE HE IS GETTING BIGGER HE IS SO CUTE TO......

Comment #20 HEATHER (166.217.140.14) -

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW ALL THE RISK WITH HAVING A BABY RACCOON LIKW WHAT ALL THE CAN CARRY AND HOW DANGEROUS IT IS FOR ME ALSO HOW SOON I CAN ITS SHOT AND ALL THAT KINDA STUFF....

Comment #21 hannah (65.198.107.164) -

How much do raccoons cost?

Comment #22 Roger Hampton (207.70.191.118) -

Friends just dropped off a baby raccoon at my house...well...the coon passed the ferret test...that is, they did not try to eat the baby.I gave it some warm milk, and the baby lapped it up, also gave it some Ferret-Vite, a supplement for Ferrets, it LOVED it.Cute little F'er...Any one got any feeding tips???

Comment #23 tigger from ohio (Contact Member) -

how do i find out how old a racoon is?

Comment #24 henry (67.142.130.43) -

someone please help me im freaking out about this what should i do. About 2 days ago i found my dog freaking out barking at this baby raccoon that my bigger dog prolly got ahold of at some point. it had hurt its back foot but other than that had no flesh wounds. now i have it in my screened in porch, its just an infant but its getting its streght back really well and its super tiny so im nursing it back to health but i dont know what to do cuz if i keep it i dont know how well ill be able to make it happy but if i raise it till its big enought to go out and defend itself then i hear that it wont work andit ont be able to adapt back to the wild life.( one morething im also paranoid about rabies) i have no clue wht to do somone wanana tell me it would be so awesome if they did

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