/r/Trashpandas

Can we talk about feeding raccoons?

It seems like almost every day there is a post of someone feeding their local raccoon or asking what to use for food. There is quite a bit of misinformation out there and it's clear that many people do not understand the potential harm they could be causing. I understand that desire to get close to raccoons and feel like your helping them survive. I get it! I have that urge too. However, the harm of feeding raccoons often outweighs the personal benefit.

There is a common phrase "a fed bear is a dead bear", and this applies to raccoons too, especially in urban areas. I am speaking from experience as someone who has handled thousands of live raccoons and who previously worked in rabies control, vaccination, and laboratory testing.

Why shouldn't you feed raccoons? Here are a few reasons:

1. Fed raccoons begin to associate humans with food. This means they won't just approach you, but your neighbors and strangers, who will only see a raccoon acting bold, approaching them at strange hours, or even acting aggressive and nipping. What does this sound like?? Rabies! There is no way to physically tell that a raccoon has rabies by looking at it. The only way to tell is to euthanize that animal and test the brainstem. (It sucks, I know). Animal control officers get calls every day about a friendly or bold-acting raccoon and will put it down. I can tell you that 99% of raccoons that were euthanized for strange behavior test negative for rabies. It could have had distemper, or that animal could have just been fed.
2. Raccoons are pretty good at finding food in their own, especially urban raccoons. They are built for packing on the fat.
3. Feeding can disrupt natural behaviors, like winter torpor, and may not provide a well rounded diet.
4. Increased risk of disease. When animals eat out of the same food bowl or crowd and fight for the same food source, it's a perfect situation for spreading diseases like canine distemper. Distemper is a BRUTAL death.
5. Feeding increases the risk of spreading raccoon-borne diseases to people or pets, like leprospirosis or Baylisascaris procyonis, "raccoon roundworm".

I don't mean to shame anyone here who has fed or is feeding raccoons. I just want people to understand that our interactions with wildlife can be neutral, positive or negative. We can make the best choice for the animal and still enjoy watching them live their natural life.

Edit: This can be a challenging topic, so here are some statements from various wildlife-centered organizations:

Toronto Wildlife Centre https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/wildlife-emergency-rescue-hotline/answers-to-your-wildlife-questions/should-you-feed-wildlife/

For Fox Sake Wildlife rehab https://forfoxsakewildlife.com/2018/12/18/is-it-bad-to-feed-raccoons/

BC SPCA https://spca.bc.ca/news/dont-feed-wildlife/

USDA Animal and Health Inspection  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-services/dont-feed-wildlife

LSR Conservation Authority  https://lsrca.on.ca/index.php/2021/05/20/3-reasons-you-shouldnt-feed-wildlife/

National Parks Service https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/idkt\_feedingwildlife.htm


https://redd.it/1o8depd
@r_trashpandas

www.tgoop.com/r_trashpandas/21324

9 viewsOct 16 at 18:21

Can we talk about feeding raccoons?

It seems like almost every day there is a post of someone feeding their local raccoon or asking what to use for food. There is quite a bit of misinformation out there and it's clear that many people do not understand the potential harm they could be causing. I understand that desire to get close to raccoons and feel like your helping them survive. I get it! I have that urge too. However, the harm of feeding raccoons often outweighs the personal benefit.

There is a common phrase "a fed bear is a dead bear", and this applies to raccoons too, especially in urban areas. I am speaking from experience as someone who has handled thousands of live raccoons and who previously worked in rabies control, vaccination, and laboratory testing.

Why shouldn't you feed raccoons? Here are a few reasons:

1. Fed raccoons begin to associate humans with food. This means they won't just approach you, but your neighbors and strangers, who will only see a raccoon acting bold, approaching them at strange hours, or even acting aggressive and nipping. What does this sound like?? Rabies! There is no way to physically tell that a raccoon has rabies by looking at it. The only way to tell is to euthanize that animal and test the brainstem. (It sucks, I know). Animal control officers get calls every day about a friendly or bold-acting raccoon and will put it down. I can tell you that 99% of raccoons that were euthanized for strange behavior test negative for rabies. It could have had distemper, or that animal could have just been fed.
2. Raccoons are pretty good at finding food in their own, especially urban raccoons. They are built for packing on the fat.
3. Feeding can disrupt natural behaviors, like winter torpor, and may not provide a well rounded diet.
4. Increased risk of disease. When animals eat out of the same food bowl or crowd and fight for the same food source, it's a perfect situation for spreading diseases like canine distemper. Distemper is a BRUTAL death.
5. Feeding increases the risk of spreading raccoon-borne diseases to people or pets, like leprospirosis or Baylisascaris procyonis, "raccoon roundworm".

I don't mean to shame anyone here who has fed or is feeding raccoons. I just want people to understand that our interactions with wildlife can be neutral, positive or negative. We can make the best choice for the animal and still enjoy watching them live their natural life.

Edit: This can be a challenging topic, so here are some statements from various wildlife-centered organizations:

Toronto Wildlife Centre https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/wildlife-emergency-rescue-hotline/answers-to-your-wildlife-questions/should-you-feed-wildlife/

For Fox Sake Wildlife rehab https://forfoxsakewildlife.com/2018/12/18/is-it-bad-to-feed-raccoons/

BC SPCA https://spca.bc.ca/news/dont-feed-wildlife/

USDA Animal and Health Inspection  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-services/dont-feed-wildlife

LSR Conservation Authority  https://lsrca.on.ca/index.php/2021/05/20/3-reasons-you-shouldnt-feed-wildlife/

National Parks Service https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/idkt\_feedingwildlife.htm


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