Are raccoons dangerous to cats, dogs, or other pets?

Stray animals visit the same household over and over if they feel they found a new home. A raccoon may just be one of the animals in the wild that your dog or cat can easily get along with. Because of this, some homeowners welcome them with open arms.



We can understand why some of you are swept away with the charming characteristic these animals have. But are they really safe to be around your house?

No, it’s not good for everyone

The number one reason why it isn’t safe to adopt a stray animal (e.g. a raccoon) is that this type of animal is a potential carrier of rabies. Raccoons may also carry other diseases that bring threat to the health and safety of the entire family.

• Small children at play may end up getting roundworms or in worse cases, even leptospirosis
• Small pets are more exposed to rabies if they share the same food bowl with a raccoon

They dig and fight back

The plants outside are also not safe around these animals. A raccoon is very much capable of digging the soils and gobble up the fruits and vegetables as well as that of your neighbor’s. No matter how friendly they seem to be, a raccoon may still attack smaller pets at the first sign of threat.

The worse scenario

If you want to tidy up the surrounding, there’s also a chance of putting your own health at risk (exposure to roundworm and leptospirosis) because the soil and water are absorbent to a raccoon’s body waste (e.g. urine, scat). Leptospirosis is a serious disease. In other words, you may end up in the hospital due to liver failure and possible damages to your kidney.

Too much bonding has its negative effects

Because a raccoon’s scat is a host to certain parasites (e.g. roundworm), any contact with the same (either by air transmission or touch) significantly increases the chances of getting it into your system. If that’s not all, cats and dogs are very prone to this because when they mingle with another animal, they tend to smell or lick the poop for some strange reason.

Conclusion

Next time you find one of these adorable critters visiting your household, do try to resist their charm. Instead, find a more suitable place for them to live by taking them to the local wildlife rehabilitation center or ask for an expert’s advice.

Are raccoons dangerous to cats, dogs, or other pets?