Feeding a Baby Raccoon
Congrats on finding a baby raccoon! If you have rescued an orphaned raccoon from the wild, or you have acquired a pet raccoon, you might be wondering how to properly feed and care for him. While taking care of baby raccoons can be fun, it can also be a difficult and time consuming task. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when trying to feed a baby raccoon.
Do’s:
- Formula Feed Every 2-3 Hours: Baby raccoons eat about three tablespoons of specially formulated raccoon milk-replacer formula per feeding. Formula should be fed to raccoons every 2-3 hours, meaning they will feed 8-10 times per day.
- Consider Hand-Feeding: If the raccoon is having difficulty with a bottle, try feeding him with an eyedropper or a syringe. This is especially effective with younger raccoons, since the bottle may not be their natural instinct.
- Weigh the Raccoon Regularly: Monitoring the raccoon’s weight is extremely important. baby raccoons should gain about 10-15 % their body weight every week.
Don’ts:
- Give Human Food: Never give baby raccoons raw or cooked meats, dairy products, bread, fruit, honey, candy, or processed foods of any kind. These can lead to severe health conditions in raccoons.
- Leave Feeding Tub Out: If your raccoon is eating from a bowl, don’t leave it out all the time as raccoons are very messy eaters. Replace the bowl every time right after they are done eating.
- Continue Feedings After 20 Weeks: Formula feeding should be discontinued after the raccoon is 20 weeks old; if the raccoon is self-weaning wait until he is 25-27 weeks old before stopping feedings.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure your baby raccoon is getting the proper nutrition he needs. Providing a healthy diet and a clean living environment is essential to your raccoon’s wellbeing. With patience and care, your raccoon will eventually transition into a healthy young raccoon.