We’re sharing this article after seeing several social media posts of people feeding raccoons. Single sow raccoons that ate cat food and birdseed on porches are now bringing their litters and teaching them their opportunistic “trash panda” ways.
Beyond the obvious bite risks, most people don’t realize that you do not need to touch a raccoon to be exposed to harmful diseases. In fact, contaminated feces, urine and other materials left behind by raccoons can create risks for pets and children.
“Rabies is always the main concern, but that’s just the start,” warns Travis Fleischman, a wildlife control operator. “Other things to be cautious of is raccoon roundworm found in a raccoon’s feces, or leptospirosis, which is a bacterial disease that can create symptoms such as a fever, muscle aches and other symptoms, or be severe and cause kidney damage, liver failure, or respiratory distress and can cause death. Being in contact with wild animals without proper PPE and knowledge of best practices can be dangerous.”
Source: Pet Helpful, August 2, 2026. Link. Fleischman notes ways to get raccoons to leave include removing food, water and clutter. One big thing to keep in mind is that raccoons leave trail pheromones behind, which mark the home as a potential food source to other raccoons. While those scents eventually fade, taking preventive steps can help discourage future visitors.
INSIGHTS: People should know better, right? With reduced harvesting pressure from hunters and trappers, raccoon populations continue to grow, increasing the encroachment on suburban and city properties <Link>.
Image: Link.
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