Do raccoons attack cats, dogs, or other pets?

The raccoon is a cute looking animal, with its characteristic patch of black fur that masks both of its eyes and is in turn surrounded by white fur. It is believed that this black fur enhances the mammal’s night vision and its nocturnal activities.

A lot of pet owners however do not consider the raccoon a cute fellow due to previous altercations between their pets and the wild raccoon.

It is a known fact that raccoons are predators and they normally have a fairly omnivorous diet. They hunt and eat small mammals, crayfish, frogs, and just about anything else they can catch. Every once in a while, a hungry raccoon would set its sights on a domestic cat or dog.

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Outdoor based cats and small dogs are at an obvious risk of raccoon attacks, although cats generally avoid them and thus avert potential conflicts. These conflicts do happen though, especially where food is involved. Raccoons love to eat cat food and may challenge an hungry cat over its meal, leading to a nasty fight. And possibly the death of the cat because raccoons are really tough fighters. An easy way around this is to feed your pet indoors, especially in wildlife-prone areas.

Dogs on the other hand, are more frisky and many would excitedly attack a raccoon and get into fights. Unfortunately, the dogs mostly lose the fight. Raccoons usually aim for the animal’s eyes, as though to scratch them out. They also aim for the abdomen as they try to eviscerate their victim.

Learn more: How smart are raccoons?

According to veterinary doctors practicing in rural areas, a lot of their patients are dogs that got into fights with raccoons, who tend to bite and scratch with amazing speed and ferocity. These bites often penetrate the chest wall of the victim, leading to collapsed lungs among other injuries. Raccoons also try to penetrate their victim’s abdomen, a feat that would lead to septic peritonitis. They are also known to have a knack for lacerating the urethra, resulting in terrible scalding and conditions like a secondary kidney failure.

Raccoon attacks mostly happen at night as that is when they come out to look for food. Dog owners need to be aware of the risk of raccoon altercations with their pets after dark. And guard against it by being vigilant and listening for noises, installing bright lights in the yard, and securing their property well so wild animals are excluded from entering.

The best way to forestall this is to keep pets indoors at night. To learn more about Do raccoons attack cats, dogs, or other pets visit the Raccoons in the Attic home page.