Random Reasons Why You Should Never Own A Raccoon As A Pet (12 items)

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  (#1) They Are Destructive AF And Will Pee On Everything You Own

  Unsurprisingly, for an animal that has no problem eating out of a public dumpster, raccoons are pretty gross. They can break into all sorts of man-made containers, including your trashcan. For most people, the thought of having their homes covered in trash on a regular basis would be enough of a reason to refrain from getting a pet raccoon.

  If you're the kind of person who can deal with trash, how about urine? Raccoons are extremely difficult to house train and won't think twice about doing their business where ever and whenever they want. Raccoons also mark their territory using anal scent glands, and a pet raccoon will consider your entire house its territory.
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  (#2) Your Raccoon Will Bite You All The Time

  Don't be fooled, these cute critters are not timid. Raccoons bite all the time for all sorts of reasons. They can be highly aggressive, especially during their mating season. Bites can be a way of showing aggression or unhappiness, or sometimes they can just happen for no discernible reason whatsoever. Even improper grooming can lead to a bite, so this animal is not recommended for anyone who enjoys having fingers.
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  (#3) Raccoons Are Known To Carry Infectious Diseases

  Another reason to avoid any raccoon you encounter is disease, because who knows where that thing has been. Raccoons are known for carrying a veritable smorgasbord of viruses and bacterium that can be harmful to both humans and other animals. Raccoons account for nearly 30% of all rabies cases in the United States, second only to bats. They can also carry nasty parasites that can infect both pets and humans. 
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  (#4) They Can Be Completely Unpredictable

  Just to reiterate, raccoons are wild animals. Any creature that is exposed to a strange environment, especially any as mischievous and selfish as the raccoon, is going to act out. They likely won't get along with most species, so interactions with pets can be a traumatic ordeal. Confined to the relatively small area of the average human home, they can become stir crazy and easily agitated. The average raccoon has a territory roughly a mile in diameter, far exceeding what most people can provide for their animal. 
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  (#5) It's Hard To Find A Vet With Raccoon Experience

  Most vets are trained to deal with more traditional pets like cats and dogs, and very few have any experience with wild animals. Many will refuse to treat a pet raccoon for fear of lawsuits or potential injuries to either the animal or the vet staff themselves. If you're raccoon gets sick or injured, it's very likely that you will be unable to seek medical treatment for the little guy. Also, good luck finding a boarding facility that will watch your raccoon if you go on vacation.
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  (#6) They Can Live Up To 20 Years

  Like with many animals, owning a pet raccoon is a long-term commitment. Most wild raccoons only live for about two or three years, but raccoons kept in captivity can live five times as long as their wild counterparts. Estimates put a domestic raccoons lifespan between 10 and 20 years, which is a long time to care for an animal that will likely spend the whole time destroying your house. If you still want a raccoon, be prepared to care for it for a good chunk of your life.
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  (#7) The Species Is Adapted To A Nocturnal Lifestyle

  Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning that they are most active at night. This can be a problem for raccoons kept in captivity, as they are often exposed to copious amounts of light during the day time. They are adapted to a life in the dark, so bright lights can be uncomfortable for them. If you plan on having your lights on during the day, you should know that you are creating an upsetting environment for your nocturnal friends.
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  (#8) In Many Places, They Are An Invasive Species

  Don't let these adorable pictures fool you, raccoons can be much more than an inconvenience outside of North America. Invasive raccoons have spread to Europe and Asia and are having debilitating effects on local wildlife. While they are often imported as exotic pets, invasive raccoons bring with them all sorts of foreign diseases. Many European nations have nearly eradicated rabies, but strains from North American raccoons are starting to make their way to the continent. Other nasty parasites have also hitched a ride across the Atlantic, much to the dismay of conservationists.
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  (#9) If You Change Your Mind, You Can't Release Them Back Into The Wild

  You can technically change your mind, but that would make you a horrible person. Raccoons that have been raised to depend on humans lack many of the necessary skills to ensure their survival in the wild. Often raised as babies, pet raccoons are basically spoiled beyond all repair. If an owner gets tired of caring for their raccoon and decides to release it into the wild, the poor pet is unlikely to survive for long. 
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  (#10) They Are Social Creatures Who Need To Be With Other Raccoons

  Reports are mixed on raccoon social lives. Many sources claim that raccoons are mostly solitary creatures, but new research is painting a different picture. It turns out that raccoons actually form small communities based on gender, with each gender preferring to stick with their own. It is possible that this social structure is incredibly important to healthy raccoon development, and denying them these bonds can have lasting effects on their emotional wellbeing. 
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  (#11) Owning A Raccoon Is Not Exactly Legal

  The legality of owning wild and exotic pets is different from state to state, but the repercussions for keeping an unauthorized animal can be severe. At least five states outlaw the buying or selling of raccoons specifically, while others like New York ban ownership of all wild animals. If you're crazy enough to try to raise a pet raccoon, make sure that it is legal in your area. Some jurisdictions will confiscate and kill raccoons that are discovered to be living with humans, so do the right thing and leave them in the wild where they belong.
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  (#12) Despite ALL This, Some People Still Adopt These Guys

  Even with all the warnings in the world, some people just won't listen. There are still folks who believe that raising a wild animal in their homes is a good idea. Some of these pets are even famous, like Pumpkin the raccoon. Pumpkin has over a million followers, more than a good number of actual celebrities. While Pumpkin's pictures may be adorable, it's important to remember that you're looking at a wild animal who is being cared for by experts.

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