Do Raccoons Attack Dogs and How to Keep Them Safe

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Posted Oct 24, 2024

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Bristling Raccoon Showing its Teeth
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Raccoons can be a threat to dogs, especially if they feel threatened or cornered. Raccoons are generally wary of dogs, but they can become aggressive if they're protecting their young or food.

If you live in an area with raccoons, it's essential to keep your dog on a short leash when walking them outside. This will help prevent any potential encounters with raccoons.

Raccoons are highly intelligent and resourceful animals, and they can adapt quickly to new environments. They're also skilled at finding food and water sources, which can sometimes lead them to interact with dogs.

To keep your dog safe, consider investing in a secure fence around your yard to prevent raccoons from entering.

Raccoon Attacks on Dogs

Raccoons are known to attack dogs, especially if they're not up to date on vaccinations. Raccoons can carry rabies, which is spread via saliva through a bite, and can be fatal to dogs.

If your dog is attacked by a raccoon, first try to recall your dog using a loud noise or a long instrument like a rake or broom to break up the fight. If your dog is bleeding, use an old t-shirt or rag to put pressure on the wound.

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Credit: youtube.com, Crazy Raccoon Attacks German Shepherd

Raccoons are omnivores and will eat just about anything, including backyard grapes and leftovers from birds and pets. They can move from one house to another searching for food, but when they find none, they may attack smaller animals like kittens and dogs.

Raccoons are intelligent animals and may have been studying the movements of cats and dogs before attacking them. They can cause extreme damage with their sharp claws and teeth, targeting the eyes, nose, or mouth.

To protect your dog from raccoons, it's essential to keep them indoors and up to date on vaccinations. Raccoons can be ruthless fighters when cornered or threatened, and their claws and teeth can do serious damage to your dog.

Raccoons are common visitors to properties with tasty fruits and veggies, and they can live underneath porches, crawl spaces, and even attics when there's food nearby. They can transmit diseases like roundworm and distemper to dogs.

The biggest danger raccoons pose to your dog is rabies, which is incurable and typically fatal. Raccoons are one of the most common wild animals to have the disease, making it crucial to keep your dog up to date on rabies vaccinations.

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Protecting Your Pet

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Raccoons may attack pets, especially cats and small dogs, if they feel threatened or if they're hungry and can't find food elsewhere. It's essential to keep an eye on your pets, especially at night.

Raccoons are intelligent and can study the movements of cats and dogs before attacking. They're omnivores and can consume a wide range of foods, including backyard grapes and leftovers from birds and pets.

To protect your pet, feed them indoors, and make sure to clean up any food scraps from outdoor areas. You can also block crawl spaces and attic vents to prevent raccoons from getting into your home.

Here are some tips to keep your pet safe:

  • Feed your pet indoors to avoid attracting raccoons.
  • Keep trash and food remnants indoors or in secure, locked trash bins.
  • Block crawl spaces and attic vents to prevent raccoons from getting into your home.

Home Protection Tips

Keeping your home safe and secure is crucial when you have a pet. Securing your trash is a great place to start, so make sure to keep it indoors or in locked bins.

Food scraps can be a major attractant for raccoons, so clean up thoroughly after barbecues and outdoor dining. Don't leave any leftovers lying around, as this will just invite unwanted visitors.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Greet a Protection Dog

Fencing your gardens and orchards is also a good idea, as this will prevent raccoons from getting to your food. Consider using sturdy fencing that's at least 6 feet tall to keep them out.

Block any crawl spaces and attic vents to prevent animals from getting in. This will help keep your home and pet safe from unwanted critters.

Here are some additional home protection tips to consider:

  • Keep trash and food remnants indoors or in secure, locked trash bins.
  • Block crawl spaces and attic vents so that animals can't get in.
  • Thoroughly clean any barbecue or outdoor dining areas of any food scraps to deter raccoons.
  • Fence gardens and orchards to prevent raccoons from getting to your food.

Dog Attack Response

If your dog is attacked by a raccoon, stay calm and act quickly. Call your dog to see if they will come, relying on recall training. If not, try to break the fight up by making a loud noise.

Creating distance between your dog and the raccoon is crucial. Grab a long instrument like a rake, broom, or shovel to help break up the fight. Wear protective padding, like a thick jacket, to protect yourself from potential scratches or bites.

Once the fight is broken up, check your dog for injuries and load up for a trip to the vet. If your dog is bleeding, use an old t-shirt or rag to put pressure on the wound(s) to stop the bleeding.

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Your vet will clean and dress your dog's wounds and then start a course of antibiotics to ward off infection. If your dog hasn't had their rabies shot, the vet may want to keep your dog for further observation in case of a rabies infection.

If you can't get to a vet in person, you can consult one online through a service like PangoVet, which offers affordable and personalized advice.

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Quick Action Saved My Life

Raccoons are known to attack pets, and it's not just a rare occurrence. They may seek out pets at night, especially if they carry the rabies virus.

If a raccoon feels threatened or believes its family is in danger, it will respond aggressively. This means that if you have a pet that's been acting strangely or has been around a raccoon, take immediate action.

A quick response can save your pet's life. If you suspect a raccoon has rabies, keep a safe distance and contact animal control or a professional for assistance.

Raccoon Behavior

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Raccoons are typically afraid of dogs, and they will often go to great lengths to avoid them.

Raccoons may fight with a dog if they feel cornered or threatened, or if they are trying to protect their offspring.

In fact, getting a dog is sometimes considered a good raccoon deterrent.

Raccoons Attack Pets

Raccoons do attack pets, including dogs. It's not a common occurrence, but it can happen.

Raccoons are intelligent animals that can study the movements of pets and wait for the perfect moment to strike. They're omnivores, which means they'll eat almost anything, including backyard grapes, leftovers from birds, and even pets.

Raccoons will attack pets in response to feeling threatened or when they're competing for food. They're particularly attracted to smaller pets like kittens and dogs.

Raccoons attack with their sharp claws and teeth, targeting sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, or mouth. They may also carry rabies, which can be transmitted to pets if they're not up to date on vaccinations.

Take a look at this: Dog Attack

Credit: youtube.com, A Vicious Raccoon BITES Our Dog!

If your dog is attacked by a raccoon, call them to see if they'll come, and if not, try to break up the fight with a loud noise or a long instrument like a rake or broom. Put on protective padding to protect yourself, and check your dog for injuries afterward.

Feeding your pets indoors can help prevent raccoon attacks, as raccoons are more likely to attack pets that are fed outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs scare away raccoons?

Yes, dogs can scare away raccoons with their loud noises, which are often enough to frighten them off. However, it's worth noting that raccoon populations have increased due to the decline of their natural predators.

Sources

  1. Will a Raccoon Attack a Dog? Vet-Approved Safety Advice (dogster.com)
  2. Do raccoons attack cats, dogs, or other pets? (aaanimalcontrol.com)
  3. Do raccoons attack cats, dogs and other pets? (wildlifeanimalcontrol.com)
  4. Raccoon Attack! (whole-dog-journal.com)
  5. raccoons do attack pets (pestanimal.com)
  6. raccooninformation.com (raccooninformation.com)

Shawna Welch

Writer

Shawna Welch is a versatile and engaging writer with a passion for exploring complex topics in an approachable way. With a keen interest in animal behavior, Shawna has developed a niche expertise in canine behavioral issues, shedding light on common problems and offering actionable advice for pet owners. Her writing style is characterized by clarity, empathy, and a commitment to accuracy, making her a trusted voice in the field.