Raccoon as a pet: the pros and cons of keeping

Many pet lovers dream of exoticism. Recently, the domestic raccoon is gaining more and more popularity. This amazing animal has increased activity and high intellectual abilities. However, you should not count on complete submission and affection on the part of the raccoon raccoon. A wayward pet, even at home, is unlikely to be able to completely get rid of its "animal" instincts.

It is believed that the home of the cute and mischievous striped raccoon is North and Central America. However, scientists have found that these animals quickly adapt to any habitat. In the wild, funny animals prefer woodland and the obligatory presence of a reservoir nearby. The mischievous man lives in the hollows of trees, but he will not refuse from his "dwelling" in the form of a mink dug by other animals. In most cases, the raccoon prefers to guard its personal space, not allowing strangers to enter its territory.

The distinctive features of this animal include:

• small stature - an adult animal reaches the size of a miniature dog;
• a wide head with a pointed muzzle;
• chic fur with beautiful colors (all shades of black, gray and red);
• long fluffy tail.

Also, the animal has excellent eyesight and hearing. This feature allows the animal to hunt even in the dark. Raccoons are excellent at climbing trees, and in case of danger they can accelerate to 20-30 km / h.

As for the nature and habits of a mischievous animal, first of all, the owner must understand that the animal will never get rid of its natural instincts.The fact is that fluffy hooligans absolutely do not sit still, constantly exploring new places and things. Possessing increased activity, the gargle raccoon explores every corner of the owner's house. In addition, raccoons are not devoid of willfulness and do not accept raising their voices from the owner. In such cases, the animal pretends to be "dead", causing excitement among unrestrained household members.

Also, this pet is enough vindictive and capable of revenge. Most often this is expressed in aggression towards the breeder some time after the "quarrel". Another feature of the character of the striped raccoon is its night walks. Resting in the daytime, with the arrival of darkness, the curious animal goes in search of adventure. Note that the hind legs of the animal are so flexible that they allow it to perform various acrobatic tricks while climbing on various surfaces.

It is important to understand that raccoons are extremely clean pets. They love various water treatments. Those who decide to have a pet raccoon do not need to worry about the unpleasant smell.

Note that during the period of sexual activity, a cute animal is able to show aggression towards others for no apparent reason. In this case, experts recommend that the males be castrated.

In the northern regions, these pets are able to hibernate. They do not leave their burrows, their metabolism slows down and their body temperature drops. According to the supervision of specialists, raccoons living in the southern regions are distinguished by year-round activity.

Starting a conversation about the positive aspects of being in the house of a raccoon, we note that these animals are quite unpretentious in food and do not require an exclusive diet. Also, the following nuances are referred to the advantages of the animal.

• "Fuzzy" possesses high intellectual abilities. He loves to imitate his owner, copying his habits and movements. This feature is extremely amusing for small households.
• Raccoons love fun games and are happy to make contact. The pet does not need privacy and can play with the owner for hours.
• Breeders of a domestic raccoon should not worry about an unpleasant smell in the apartment. A neat animal does not tolerate dirt and gladly accepts water procedures.
• The striped raccoon is distinguished by its longevity. At home, an animal can live 15-20 years. Also, a funny animal has good health, which undoubtedly affects the duration of its life.

Despite all the advantages, the raccoon as a pet has some disadvantages. These include the following points.

• The striped raccoon got its name for a reason. The fact is that the animal loves to rinse in water absolutely everything that comes its way. Jewelry, expensive things and small household appliances can be used.
• It is unlikely that a breeder will be able to fully tame a wild animal. If the animal gets angry, it can bite the owner painfully or scratch.
• Raccoons love to check the contents of the trash can, so it is best to remove this container from a prominent place.
• It is almost impossible to train a fluffy animal to the toilet. Males will definitely mark territory, regardless of the breeder's prohibitions.
• The pet needs its own corner in the apartment. However, the dimensions of his home must be impressive. Not every breeder can afford to allocate a separate room for a furry “friend”.
• Wayward raccoons cannot stand loneliness and constantly require attention. Thus, one of the household members must constantly be directly with the animal.

Another significant disadvantage of the pet raccoon is its relationship with other pets.The fact is that a wild animal cannot be kept with rodents, ornamental birds, and kittens. A wild animal will perceive them as prey, which will lead to sad consequences.

The raccoon coexists with large living creatures quite tolerably. However, the pet is unlikely to allow cats or dogs to enter its territory. Even a little bully loves to feast on ornamental plants, so their number in the house with the arrival of a fluffy fidget will significantly decrease.

First of all, you should abandon the cell. A wild animal in captivity will experience extreme stress, which will subsequently lead to its death. The best option would be a spacious open-air cage outside. If this is not possible, then the pet is allocated a separate place in an apartment or private house.

Externally, the raccoon's dwelling should resemble a wardrobe, the front wall of which is made of mesh. The side walls are sheathed with moisture-resistant plywood. Sawdust is used as a filler. Also, a small bowl for food, a tray and toys are installed in the pet's dwelling.

The gargle raccoon is an omnivorous pet and is not particularly picky about food. His diet consists of the following foods:

• sea ​​fish;
• lean meats;
• nuts;
• fermented milk products;
• fruit;
• eggs.

Also raccoons with pleasure they consume dry food intended for cats or dogs. The fluffy animal feeds 2 to 4 times a day. Note that it is not recommended to give your pet flour products, smoked meats and chocolate.

A domestic raccoon is bathed with the use of special products 2-3 times a year. The rest of the time, the pet can enjoy a shower with warm water. Also, for a pet, visits to the veterinarian and timely vaccinations are important.

A raccoon should be trained without the use of physical force. Otherwise, the animal will become the sworn enemy of its owner. For a wild animal, punishment is a kind of signal for retaliatory actions. However, the breeder must win an indisputable authority from the pet, otherwise the wayward raccoon will become uncontrollable.

Parenting methods are based on the behavior of a furry pet. Obedience is encouraged by a favorite treat or a new toy. As for the command "You can't", in this case a plastic bottle will help. When the owner of a wild animal disobeys, it is enough to hit this object on a hard surface, making a loud sound, and clearly pronounce the phrase: "Forbidden!"

Constant control over the movement of a small pet is especially important. It is better to hide all cutting objects from him. It is also necessary to ensure that the baby does not swallow anything dangerous to his health.

It is useful for a domestic raccoon to take walks in the fresh air. For these purposes, you will need habits and a muzzle. It is necessary to accustom the animal to these accessories gradually. It is best to walk your pet in the morning or evening. In hot weather, the animal can get heatstroke, and severe frosts will put it into a lethargic state.

You can find out how to keep a raccoon at home by watching the video below.