Yes, a raccoon has enough power and skills to fight, kill and eat a cat or kittens. Although It may choose not to if there are food sources such as trash cans, pet food available.
Fights between Cats and raccoons are quite common that you think, and raccoons can carry roundworms, rabies, and other infectious diseases, so any clash between a cat and a raccoon poses a potential threat to the cat’s health, not to mention your family’s own.
Do raccoons eat cats? Yes, in certain times, raccoons can and will kill your cat, and if that happens, they may even feast on your beloved feline.
This is why it is important to understand raccoon behaviour around household pets’, and how best to keep them away from your home and property for good.
Will Raccoons Hurt Cats?
Yes, raccoons will hurt cats by biting or scratching them for the following reasons:
- To protect itself or its young ones
- To eliminate food competition
- To prey on kittens (on rare occasions)
- Infection with rabid
If you find a raccoon scavenging food in your yard and worry, It might have rabies, here are some signs to look out for that could be an indicator you need to be concerned for your pet and personal wellbeing:
- A raccoon walks weirdly, rather than walking normally. The critter walks unsteadily on its feet, sometimes even staggering erratically.
- The raccoon becomes unbothered, confused, oblivious, or disoriented to sounds, movements or noise that would normally make it run away.
- The hair on the raccoon’s face appears wet and matted, or there is discharge or drool coming from the bandit eyed raccoon.
- The animal is making repeated, unusual chattering or screeching sounds.
If you have pets that spend plenty of time outdoors, ensure you keep their rabies and other vaccinations up to date to help keep them safe.
It is also wise to take other measures to keep raccoons away from your property and your pets.
How to Keep Raccoons Away from Your Yard
- Keep your pets (cats included) indoors once it’s late. This is because raccoons are typically active at night.
- Do not leave human food or cat food (or food waste) outside.
- Use thrash cans or waste bins with tightly fitting lids, including for compost, as open compost piles can attract lots of unwanted critters, not just raccoons.
- Secure garbage cans using bungee cords and heavy cinder So, even the smartest raccoon is unable to open it.
- You could also package smelly waste like fish scraps or meat in your freezer or refrigerator until garbage pickup day. So, the odour in your garbage won’t attract wildlife.
- Pick up any fallen fruits so they won’t attract rodents or raccoons.
- Use repellents. I recommend trying hot sauce containing capsaicin as a repellent barrier around the border of your garden, or leaving lights on in your garden to drive the raccoons away.
- Birdseed feeders attract raccoons. So, if your yard has one, you might need to get rid of it. If you don’t want to, then you should feed the birds only in the morning, and only as much as they can eat before nightfall.
- An alternative would be to bring bird feeders indoors at night, so raccoons are unable to access them, or hang them on a very thin pole that raccoons are unable to climb.
- Racoon-proof your fence by using chicken wire to the top, and possibly some electric line, to keep them (and other animals) from climbing over.
- NEVER feed your dogs, cat or other pets outside. Feeding them outdoors increases the likelihood of an encounter with raccoons, so it’s best to feed them inside the house if possible.
- Clear away dead logs and dead trees from your property, as raccoons often make homes inside hollow logs or trees.
- Trim the tree branches in your roof line to limit wild animals’ access to your home, and patch up any holes in the eaves or other areas of your garage or home.
Do Raccoons Eat Cat Food?
Yes, raccoons are notorious for eating almost anything – including cat and dog food. So, feeding your cat or dog outdoor can lure unwanted raccoons to your property.
This is why we recommend storing your cat’s food in a locked, airtight bin, preferably indoors, and keeping all food bowls inside as well.
One effective way of keeping them out of your home is by limiting raccoons access to food and water sources.
ALSO SEE: Can Racoons be Pets?
How To Keep Raccoons Out Of Cat Food
DO NOT store cats or other pets food outside, and take away their bowls as soon as they finish eating their meals.
IF POSSIBLE, DO NOT feed them outside at all. Feeding cats and storing their food indoors will greatly cut down on raccoons’ access to the food.
CLOSE OFF any holes or other points of entry into your home that might be inviting to a hungry raccoon. Pet doors are a common culprit in homes where raccoons are a problem, as raccoons can easily figure out how to push through and enter the house. If you have a dog or cat door installed in a door that leads to the outside, be sure to cover or lock it at night, when raccoons are most active.
Do Raccoons Eat Dead Cats?
If the condition is right, and food is scarce, a hungry raccoon will eat a dead cat.
Do raccoons eat kittens?
Yes! Raccoons will attack, kill and eat kittens. They’re easy meals.
Do Raccoons and Cat mate?
No, they cannot. It is unnatural.
Will a Raccoon Kill A Kitten?
Yes, if it is hungry enough. A raccoon will attack and eat a small kitten if the mother cat is not near.
Cat vs Raccoon Fight To The Death – Who would Win?
Raccoon should honestly win.
Raccoons honestly have most of the advantages in size and speed and attack skills. In my opinion, I don’t see the cats being able to beat the Raccoons.
Do Raccoons Attack Humans at Night?
Rabies infected raccoons will attack people but healthy raccoons will not attack humans.