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Do Raccoons Eat Cats? All You Need To Know

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Do raccoons eat cats? Because of the sheer similarity in their sizes, it might seem weird to even think about a raccoon eating a cat.

But it is a well-known fact that raccoons do have the tendency to attack or even hurt cats. So, it might not be too much of a stretch to think about raccoons eating them.

Nonetheless, keep reading to find out whether these animals actually eat felines or whether that’s just a myth that doesn’t tell you the entire story!

Do raccoons attack cats?

Raccoons are known to prey on cats, and as a result, there is always the potential for an attack. However, raccoons can also hurt cats indirectly by spreading diseases or parasites.

Raccoons are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, which means that they’ll eat just about anything. Raccoons that are hungry can be quite dangerous, so it is important to keep a close eye on them and make sure they do not have access to any food that may attract them.

Raccoons

However, when it comes to their interaction with cats, biting and scratching are the most common forms of direct attack.

Transmission of parasites or diseases is an indirect form of raccoon-on-cat violence, and this is often how these animals spread diseases to each other.

Raccoons are not always naturally aggressive towards cats, but an aggressive raccoon is most likely a sign that the animal is sick.

If you see an aggressive raccoon near your home or property, it is best to contact a professional wildlife extermination or removal service to have the animal removed and treated.

Do raccoons eat cats?

Do raccoons eat cats?

As I said, raccoons are omnivorous animals, and as such, they can eat cats and other small animals, and, in fact, do so from time to time. While it is not their preferred diet, they will consume it if necessary.

Raccoons typically prefer to eat insects, fruits, and vegetables, but they will also eat meat if given the opportunity.

As far as eating cats is concerned, raccoons may not be able to eat adult cats because of the sheer difficulty in physically defeating them.

However, if a raccoon is near a kitten, it will most definitely try to attack and eat the kitten. Kittens are not safe around raccoons and should always be kept in a protected area.

While they may prey on smaller cats, larger domestic cats are less likely to be eaten. However, that doesn’t mean that raccoons won’t attack and bite a cat if it is available or poses a threat to them in any way!

Do raccoons generally eat cat food or pet food?

Raccoons enjoy cat food.

Being omnivorous eaters, it generally means that raccoons will eat almost anything, including cat food or pet food. However, there are some things that raccoons prefer to eat over others, cat food, for example.

One of their favorite foods is cat food, which they can access if you have cat bowls outside. Using their terrific sense of smell, it won’t take long for a raccoon in your neighborhood to sniff out where the aroma of cat food stems from.

This can lead to raccoons coming onto your property and potentially causing damage to your property. And that, in turn, means that they may try to get access to your pet’s food.

If they happen to lick your cat’s food bowl, there’s the possibility of the transmission of bacteria or viruses when your cat eats from the same bowl the next time! Therefore, it is important to keep the food inside the house and lock it up.

Three tips to keep raccoons away from your cat food and ultimately out of your property, house, and yard!

You must keep these tips handy so that you don’t inadvertently invite these wild, furry animals into your house!

Bring the bowl of cat food inside when the sun sets.

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active at night. This means that if you only put the cat food out during the day, you can reduce the chance of them eating it instead of the cats.

When the sun sets, it is time to bring the bowl of cat food inside. Raccoons are nocturnal animals and will see the food as an easy meal. Leaving out bowls of leftover food can attract raccoons and other pests that may be harmful to pets or property.

Raccoons are night predators, and as such, they will be more likely to approach a bowl of cat food if it is left outside. By bringing the bowl of food inside when the sun sets, you also reduce the chances that your cat will encounter a raccoon.

Place your cat’s bowl inside the house, to begin with.

One way to discourage raccoons from scavenging for food is to place your cat’s bowl inside the house. This will remove any traces of food from outside, and the raccoons will eventually move on.

You can also try putting up a fence or barrier around your property to keep them out altogether.

One way to gradually get your cat comfortable with eating inside the house is to place their bowl inside the house at first.

Start by leaving the bowl just outside the door, and then slowly move it closer to the entrance of your home. Once your cat is comfortable eating inside, you can start feeding them indoors completely.

Use an automated feeder that’s raccoon-proof.

If you’re worried about raccoons eating your cat’s food, there are a few things you can do to deter them. One option is to use an automated feeder that’s activated by your cat’s microchip or a tag on their collar to provide food outside.

You can also try to secure the food in a place where raccoons can’t get to it, like a high tree branch or up on a roof.

Now, it is worth remembering that while this will work for pet cats, it won’t work for feral cats because you cannot go about injecting feral cats with microchips.

Therefore, another way is to set the automatic feeder to open during daylight hours when raccoons are less active.

Raccoons are highly intelligent and crafty critters that like to get into trash cans to hunt for food that’s been dropped or left out, especially at outdoor feeders.

They’re skillful at breaking plastic clips on grill lids, taking off hatches from compost heaps, or gnawing through bungee cords to get a bite. So if you have a particularly determined raccoon, it could end up destroying your feeder barrels.

How can you protect your cat from raccoons?

Cat

There are a few things you can do to protect your cat from raccoons.

Keep your yard free of garbage and potential attractors of raccoons.

Make sure your yard is clean and free of food sources that might attract raccoons. You should also keep your trash cans secured and inside, and never leave pet food outside where it could be accessed by raccoons or other animals.

Keep your house’s structure free of cracks or broken windows through which raccoons can sneak in.

In addition, be sure to secure your windows and cracks/holes, as raccoons can easily get inside attics and basements through unsealed cracks and open windows. Once the creature is in your home, it becomes far more difficult to protect your cat from it.

You may also want to consider installing a motion-activated sprinkler system near areas where your cat likes to hang out; this will startle the raccoon if it comes too close and scare it off.

Simply don’t leave food out in the open.

In addition, one of the best ways to protect your cat from raccoons is to not leave food around. Do not leave food near open windows or in the yard. The same holds for table scraps and leftovers, as they could also attract an unwanted visitor.

Fence your property well.

Place better fencing around your property to keep the raccoons out. An added advantage of this is that your cat will be less likely to wander, and feral cats and other animals will be less likely to trespass over your property!

Is it possible for raccoons to transmit diseases to your cat?

Raccoons can transmit diseases to your cat.

Raccoons and cats are two common backyard animals. Therefore, it is only natural that many people want to know if it is possible for raccoons to transmit diseases to their cats. The answer is yes. Both raccoons and cats can carry and spread diseases.

Cats can become infected by raccoons by either direct contact with them or by ingesting eggs of the Baylisacaris, which is a parasite that affects both raccoons and cats in their intestines. And this disease can even take their lives.

Here are some of the symptoms of Baylisacaris procyonis –

  1. severe discomfort or pain
  2. increases levels of lethargy
  3. increased sensitivity to light
  4. respiratory distress
  5. high body temperature
  6. loss of vision and coordination
  7. eye infections
  8. increased sleep
  9. coma
  10. death

Can raccoons give my cat rabies?

There is no definitive answer to this question. Raccoons can carry rabies, but it is not certain that they can give it to cats. There are cases of both happening, but more research is needed in order to say for certain whether or not raccoons can transmit rabies to cats.

Raccoons are the most commonly infected animals with rabies in North America. The virus is usually spread through saliva, and raccoons can, theoretically, transmit it to other animals, including cats, through bites or scratches. Rabies can be fatal if not treated quickly.

As for raccoons, if they bite a cat and the cat has not been vaccinated against rabies, then there is a chance that the raccoon could have given the cat rabies.

Rabies can be fatal to both cats and humans, so it’s important to keep your cat safe from this disease.

What are the symptoms of rabies to watch for?

Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the central nervous system. It can be contracted from animals, such as raccoons, who are carriers of the virus. Symptoms of rabies in cats include fever, seizures, lethargy, and coma.

If you suspect your cat may have rabies, it is important to take them to the veterinarian immediately for treatment.

Some other symptoms of rabies can include abnormal changes in behavior, such as unusual shyness or aggression of your cat. The animal may also seem more aggressive than normal and have problems with coordination or paralysis.

If you have any reason to think that your cat has come into contact with a rabid raccoon, it is absolutely imperative that you seek proper veterinary attention and start the treatment for rabies right away!

Can cats help in keeping raccoons away?

No, keeping cats may not be a reliable tactic to keep raccoons away. In fact, feeding your cat outside may attract raccoons.

If you have a cat, it might put its food out for a meal, and that attracts raccoons to the backyard; this is due to the fact that raccoons are attracted to anything high-profile like food.

It is a risky tactic as well because most of the time, at least one of the raccoons will attack your pet.

What should you do if a raccoon injures your cat?

If you notice a raccoon has injured your cat, take it to the veterinarian immediately. Raccoons are not only pesky creatures that can be a nuisance around your home, but they can also be dangerous.

Raccoons have known disease carriers and can easily transmit rabies to your cat if the raccoon is infected. In addition, raccoons will eat almost about anything, so it’s important to keep them away from your cat and other small animals.

Cats vs. raccoons – Who would win in a fight?

There is no clear answer as to who would win in a fight between a cat and raccoon. However, cats are typically more likely to win because they are bigger and have better leaping abilities.

Raccoons are also known to eat cats, so it is possible that the raccoon would come out on top in a physical confrontation.

Raccoons are known to be very resourceful and can certainly do some damage to a cat, but they would ultimately lose in a physical confrontation. Cats have sharp claws and teeth, while raccoons tend to favor their fists and knuckles when fighting.

Further, cats have a higher predatorial instinct than raccoons since they belong to the family of felines!

Do raccoons eat kittens?

Yes, raccoons do eat kittens. If a cat is not around to defend her kittens, these omnivores will devour them.

Therefore, if your cat has given birth to kittens, make sure they stay inside the house at all times!

Do raccoons really kill for fun and game?

Raccoons have a bad reputation for being vicious killers. These animals have been known to kill other animals for sport or sustenance.

While they generally eat a variety of food items, including fruits, vegetables, and small mammals, they have also been known to kill household cats and other animals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while raccoons may not be able to eat adult cats, they can take a shot at it. Further, not much will stop them from physically confronting a cat and even severely injuring it.

I understand the anxiety behind worrying about the safety of your pet cat, especially when it comes to raccoons. And that is why I have written about the best tips you can use to keep your pet cat safe from these vicious animals!

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.