Raccoon cubs rely on their mother for up to nine months before leaving her to dins their way, Raccoon mothers can give birth to up to nine young. She will only have two remaining after nine months, at which point she will start looking for a new partner to have another litter over the winter.

What do you feed a baby Raccoon?

Inquiring about and comprehending what newborn raccoons eat is simple if you are unfamiliar with the demanding task of growing a raccoon. High-fat powdered milk is OK.

Never try to provide whole milk to your baby raccoon if you want it to grow healthy. For his first seven weeks of life, a baby raccoon must be fed up to five times daily. You’ll need to get out of bed at off hours of the night to attend to his cries for food to feed him at regular intervals.

After each feeding, massage the genitalia while helping the raccoon snort. Use a cotton ball soaked in warm water to massage the region surrounding his genitalia to enable it to discharge itself.

Your raccoon will display his omnivorous side and may start to consume anything once they’ve finished toying with the bottle. However, you should introduce the food gradually. For instance, you may mix baby cereal with milk or give him soft food like fruit to chew on. 

What do you feed a baby Raccoon?

Raccoon cubs rely on their mother for up to nine months before venturing out on their own. A raccoon mother can give birth to up to nine young, but only two may remain with her after nine months. At this point, she starts looking for a new partner to have another litter over the winter. If you find yourself in the position of caring for a baby raccoon, it’s essential to know what to feed them to ensure their healthy growth.

Feeding Newborn Raccoons: Milk and More

Understanding what newborn raccoons eat is crucial for their proper growth. High-fat powdered milk is an appropriate choice, but never provide whole milk, as it may not meet the raccoon’s specific nutritional needs. For the first seven weeks of life, a baby raccoon must be fed up to five times daily. This means you’ll need to wake up during odd hours of the night to attend to their cries for food and feed them at regular intervals.

After each feeding, massage the raccoon’s genitalia with a cotton ball soaked in warm water. This helps the raccoon discharge itself and maintain proper hygiene.

Once your raccoon starts to wean off the bottle, it may begin to show its omnivorous side and try to consume anything in sight. However, it’s essential to introduce solid food gradually. You can start by mixing baby cereal with milk or offering soft fruits for them to chew on.

A small baby raccoon walking along a fence.

Feeding Weaned Raccoons: Diverse Diets

After the weaning phase, feeding your raccoon remains a challenging task. While it may be less complicated than bottle feeding, you still need to monitor your pet’s diet closely. Wild raccoons have diverse diets influenced by their environment and inherent tendencies. As a pet raccoon relies solely on you for food, it’s essential to provide a balanced diet.

Comparing your raccoon’s dietary needs to those of a dog or cat is challenging. Although common pets may survive on canned food, your pet raccoon cannot. They may eat canned cat or dog food, but relying on it exclusively is harmful to their health.

Offer your young raccoon a variety of food items daily, selecting the best options. Raccoon babies can consume a lot of food and eat almost everything you put in front of them. Some common pet raccoon favorites include:

  • Fresh vegetables
  • Uncooked corn on the cob
  • Fish
  • Fruit
  • Chicken
  • Grain-free dog food
  • Eggs
Two  sweetness small racoons look forwards

Foods to Avoid for Pet Raccoons

Wild raccoons love nuts like acorns, beechnuts, and walnuts, and your pet raccoon may enjoy them too. However, you should limit their intake of these calorie-dense foods. In the wild, raccoons eat nuts to store fat for the winter. Since your raccoon stays indoors and doesn’t experience harsh winter conditions, it doesn’t need extra fat.

Monitor your raccoon’s diet closely, as captive raccoons tend to become obese. These creatures also have a sweet tooth and enjoy foods like marshmallows. Limit or completely avoid giving them sweets, as excessive weight gain can lead to health issues.

It’s essential to note that raccoons enjoy soaking their food in water. Ensure your raccoon always has access to water while eating by placing a bowl nearby. However, be prepared to clean up spills, as raccoons can be quite messy with water.

Are Baby Raccoons Dangerous?

Baby raccoons may look adorable and cuddly, but it’s crucial to remember that they are wild animals and can potentially be dangerous. Raccoon babies are blind and deaf for up to three weeks

after birth, making them entirely reliant on their mothers. If you come across a litter of raccoons on your property, exercise caution and avoid handling them.

Although young raccoons may not yet have the strength or aggression to bite and scratch, they can still carry diseases and parasites that pose a risk to humans and other animals. It’s best to contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center or a professional wildlife removal service to handle the situation safely.

In Conclusion

Caring for a baby raccoon requires a thorough understanding of their nutritional needs and the challenges that come with feeding them. From bottle feeding with high-fat powdered milk to offering a diverse diet of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources, ensuring your pet raccoon’s healthy growth is crucial. Always remember that raccoons are wild animals, and if you find a baby raccoon in need, it’s best to contact a wildlife rehabilitation center or professional wildlife removal service for assistance.