Raccoons sometimes get into scraps with cats and they may occasionally prey on small animals housed outside, such as chickens and rabbits.
When no other food is available, raccoons might even prey upon kittens and small cats, but other times, they can be seen eating side-by-side when cats are fed outdoors.
Feeding pets outside is probably the most common reason that raccoons come into contact with them.
Fight or flight
Healthy raccoons are unlikely to pick a fight with a dog, but dogs sometimes chase raccoons. Sick or injured raccoons, cornered mothers protecting their young and orphaned baby raccoons are most likely to be victims of dog attacks. If caught by a dog, a raccoon may fight back to defend herself, and both the dog and raccoon can be injured.
How to stop raccoons from using your pet door
Raccoon rules
To reduce the chances of your pets having a close encounter with a raccoon, follow these simple rules:
- Keep pet rabbits and cats indoors at all times.
- If cats or dogs are fed outside, do so only by day and remove food immediately.
- Don’t allow dogs to roam unsupervised and unleashed.
These practices are good for your pet, whether or not they're likely to come into contact with a raccoon. Keep your pets' vaccinations up-to-date and if your pet does encounter a raccoon, check with your vet about what to do.