how do i protect my kitten from raccoons

1. Keep your cat inside the house at night. Raccoons are active at night, especially in heavily populated areas where they might run into people or dogs if they ...
2. Clean up any food and food residue left outside. Never leave cat food outside, ever. ...
3. Set up a raccoon-proof fence around your property. An easy and cheap way to do this is to set up a standard fence (wood or metal) and then ...
4. Bring Kitty's bowl inside at night and try to eliminate all sources of water in your garden. ...

How do you keep raccoons away from cats?

The simplest way to make sure your cat never runs afoul of a raccoon is to keep her inside, especially at night when raccoons are most active. Similarly, cat owners shouldn’t feed their cats outside, as the smell of food will draw raccoons and other unwelcome guests.

Are raccoons dangerous to cats?

Raccoons can be a danger to cats. Raccoons can transmit disease to your domesticated cat, can injure the cat, and even kill and eat them. Generally, if a raccoon has enough food to eat, it will leave your cat alone. However, if the raccoon has nothing else to eat, it may prey on your cat.

How do I choose the best raccoon proof cat feeder?

A raccoon-proof cat feeder should be at least 40 inches off the ground. The feeding station itself should have a skirt of smooth sheet metal or plastic to keep the raccoon from being able to obtain a grip once it has climbed to pole-base. Your feeder should also be enclosed with a waterproof roof to keep the cats and the food dry.

Do raccoons eat cat food?

Possums, raccoons, squirrels and fox will all dine on cat food if they can find a way into it. But don’t worry, there are ways to keep those unwanted critters from invading your feline feeder. Check out these helpful tricks and hints on how to keep raccoons (and other wildlife) out of a cat food feeding station. Raccoons are nocturnal animals.

How do you keep raccoons away from kittens?

8 Proven Methods to Keep Raccoons Out of Cat FoodFeed Your Cats During the Day.Feed the Cats Inside.Keep Food on Elevated Surfaces.Use Raccoon-Proof Feeders.Eliminate Other Food Sources.Set Up Strobe Lights.Build a Fence.Call Animal Control.

How do I keep raccoons away from my cats?

0:432:23How to Repel Raccoons Without Repelling Cats - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUp your yard or other area where a Coons have become comfortable will make them less likely toMoreUp your yard or other area where a Coons have become comfortable will make them less likely to congregate there you can also make lights motion activated.

Can cats defend themselves against raccoons?

If you have a furry companion that spends time outdoors, especially at night, you may worry about your cat's safety, and with good reason. While raccoons tend not to be aggressive, cats sometimes can be, and backyard standoffs may result when there is a dispute over territory or, especially, food.

What will a raccoon do to a cat?

Raccoons are prone to carrying diseases such as rabies and feline distemper. Without treatment, these two diseases can be fatal for your cat. Raccoons can also carry roundworms and give them to your cat. While not always fatal, roundworms are often gross and expensive to get rid of.

Will raccoons hurt kittens?

Do raccoons eat cats? Even though this has been the subject of some pretty serious controversy, raccoons can indeed eat cats, small dogs, and other tiny animals. Kittens are in fatal danger if a raccoon is near them. The wild creature will most definitely try to attack and eat the kittens.

What do raccoons hate the most?

Raccoons enjoy the dark, so a strategically placed flashlight can be a deterrent. Because they're also put off by strange noises, playing a small radio may help keep them at bay. Finally, raccoons hate the smell of ammonia, so leave a saucer full of the stuff (or an ammonia-dipped rag) near the creatures' entry point.

What do I do if my cat is attacked by a raccoon?

If your cat gets into a fight with a raccoon or sustains a bite or scratch from the raccoon, immediately take your cat to a veterinarian to be treated and tested for rabies. It is crucially important not to attempt to treat the cat's wounds on your own.

How can I feed my outdoor cat and not raccoons?

How to Keep Raccoons Out of Cat Food: 7 Effective TipsOnly leave cat food out during the day.Place the food on an elevated platform.Feed your cat indoors.Use a raccoon-proof feeder.Fence your property.Remove other food sources.Speak to a professional.

Do raccoons spray like cats?

Raccoons have paired anal glands that secrete a substance they use for territory marking by rubbing their behinds on anything they wish to claim. They also use urine and feces, both of which contain strong smells, to mark their home territory.

How can I keep raccoons away?

Follow these tips to “raccoon-proof” your yard as much as possible.Secure trash cans. ... Remove possible food sources. ... Protect your fruits and veggies. ... Block access to hiding places. ... Eliminate water sources. ... Treat your lawn for grubs. ... Scent repellents. ... Motion-activated lights and sprinklers.More items...•

Do raccoons go after cats?

Finally, raccoons do attack cats when threatened. Mother raccoons are highly aggressive in protecting their young. If a raccoon and cat came in contact with each other, a fight is almost a given. Cats are very territorial, and they will fight to protect their space.

Where do raccoons live during the day?

During the day, raccoons find shelter in all environments. In urban areas, raccoons sleep in abandoned cars, dumpsters, and sewer drains, but hide in attics, garages, and underneath decks in suburban areas. In the wilderness, they live sleep in tree hollows, under rocks, and vacant animal dens.

How do you keep raccoons away naturally?

4 Natural Raccoon DeterrentsScatter or spray pepper. Spices like cinnamon, black pepper or cayenne pepper bother a raccoon's sense of smell, forcing it to relocate to a more livable area. ... Soak rags in ammonia. ... Place mothballs around your house. ... Call Apple Pest Control.

Will a raccoon go after a cat?

Finally, raccoons do attack cats when threatened. Mother raccoons are highly aggressive in protecting their young. If a raccoon and cat came in contact with each other, a fight is almost a given. Cats are very territorial, and they will fight to protect their space.

Does Irish Spring soap keep raccoons away?

Many of the same smells that deter deer, such as capsaicin and mint, also repel raccoons. In general, Irish Spring soap can be an effective raccoon repellent. For the most part, you'll never see a raccoon munching in your garden.

How do you scare away raccoons?

How to Deter Raccoons: 9 DIY Control MethodsAdd a motion-activated sprinkler. ... Use ultrasound deterrent devices. ... Secure trash cans. ... Bag your trash in raccoon-repelling trash bags. ... Make your own raccoon repellent. ... Use ammonia. ... Remove pet and bird food. ... Use fences to protect high-interest areas.More items...•

How can you protect your cat from a raccoon?

The simplest way to make sure your cat never runs afoul of a raccoon is to keep her inside, especially at night when raccoons are most active.

How to keep a cat from running into a raccoon?

The simplest way to make sure your cat never runs afoul of a raccoon is to keep her inside , especially at night when raccoons are most active.

What happens if a raccoon can't find a tree?

If they can’t find a tree, a raccoon will make do with a burrow. Raccoons are smart enough and adaptable enough to find homes in the suburbs and even cities. They are considered a nuisance in places like Albuquerque, New Mexico. Contents [ show]

What is an orbit sprinkler?

It’s a motion-activated sprinkler that has sensing technology that is smart enough to respond only to the movement of animals, so it won’t spray water if plants move in response to the wind blowing.

How deep should a raccoon screen be?

The screen’s bottom edge should extend a foot outward and be buried at least six inches deep. Fences by themselves won’t keep raccoons out since the animals can dig under them or climb over them. Raccoons, however, are sensitive to electric shocks, so an electrified fence can keep the pests out.

What is the UCIPM program?

The University of California’s Integrated Pest Management ( UCIPM) Program recommends various exclusion methods to keep raccoons out of a homeowner’s property and away from their pets.

What is a manx cat?

The Manx cat, for example, is sometimes said to be a cross between a rabbit and cat, and is even called a “cabbit.”.

Do raccoons eat cats?

Raccoons can be a danger to cats. Raccoons can transmit disease to your domesticated cat, can injure the cat, and even kill and eat them.

How to keep raccoons away from kittens?

Keep your cat inside: The best way to keep raccoons from attacking your kitten is to keep the kitten inside away from raccoons. This is especially advisable during the nighttime when raccoons are mostly out and searching for food

What happens if a cat sees a raccoon?

This is not always effective as raccoons can and will kill the mother to gain access to the kitten, especially if there is a shortage of food in the area

What do raccoons eat?

If they’re living in suburban areas they will sneak into your yard and try to eat the plants in your garden, your pet food, and even your kittens.

Can raccoons and cats eat?

However, there have been cases when the two animals get along quite well, raccoons and cats can sometimes be seen eating side by side

Can raccoons climb over fences?

Raccoon-proof fencing: Raccoons can climb over normal fencing, you’d need to install raccoon-proof fencing to keep these animals away. This entails using a low two-wire electric fence on your property or adding some chicken wire on top of your current fence

Can raccoons attack kittens?

Kittens are an easy target for raccoons, they are very small and weak compared to raccoons, and they won’t put up much of a fight if attacked.

How to keep raccoons away from my cat?

1. Only leave cat food out during the day. Raccoons are most active at night, so by only putting cat food out during the day, you can reduce the chance of the raccoons eating it instead of the cats. Remove any bowls of leftover food before night time, and place them out again the next day. Your cats will soon get used to ...

How to keep cats from eating outside food?

Use a raccoon-proof feeder. Using an automatic feeder that’s activated by your cat’s microchip or a tag on their collar can be a good solution if you want to leave food outside for your own cat. Make sure you choose a dry location where the feeder will be protected from the elements.

How long does it take for a cat to get used to eating inside?

Completely removing any traces of cat food from outside can eventually persuade raccoons to go and scavenge for food somewhere else. It may take your cat a week or so to get used to just eating inside, but they’ll soon adapt.

Do raccoons like to eat trash?

Raccoons love scavenging and will soon smell if there are any other food sources worth exploring. To a raccoon, food includes trash bags and compost heaps! Using a plastic bin to store your trash bags is a good start, as is covering your compost heap with heavy items or using a plastic compost heap bin with a lid that can be secured.

Can cats eat leftover food at night?

Remove any bowls of leftover food before night time, and place them out again the next day. Your cats will soon get used to the new routine and only expect to find food there during the day. Using this system also reduces the likelihood that your cat will run into a raccoon if they try to eat food at night.

Where is Emma from?

Emma is a freelance writer, specializing in writing about pets, outdoor pursuits, and the environment. Originally from the UK, she has lived in Costa Rica and New Zealand before moving to a smallholding in Spain with her husband, their 4-year-old daughter, and their dogs, cats, horses, and poultry.

Do raccoons chew on plastic?

That said, raccoons are talented at opening (and breaking) items to get to the food inside. They’ve been known to chew through bungee cords securing grill lids, pry off coverings from compost heaps, and pull plastic trash cans to pieces in an attempt to get the food inside.

What happens when a cat approaches a door?

When the cat approaches the door either from outside or from inside, the sensor in his collar will trigger the opening of the door. And, once your feline pal’s inside his home, then the door will stay closed for as long as he is inside the area. Thus, when a raccoon comes around, he won’t be able to enter.

What happens if a raccoon doesn't find food?

When raccoons check for several days and do not find food in your vicinity, your address may be yanked off their daily itinerary.

How long does it take for a racoon to burrow through a fence?

Ensure the fence goes several inches below the ground. Raccoons can burrow their way through in a matter of days or weeks.

What is the funny thing about racoons?

One funny thing about raccoons is that once they find something to eat in your domain, they’ll put your address in their schedule of daily visits.

Can a raccoon get to the top of a cat feeder?

A cat can easily gain access to the top of the feeder but a raccoon can’t, which is why it is a solution to the problem.

Can raccoons attack humans?

If they feel threatened, raccoons can attack either pets or humans. This case is rare but it has happened before, so you can’t rule its reoccurrence out completely.

Can a raccoon show up with a cat?

It may be a good idea to stay around and watch your cat eat. No raccoon will show up when you’re with your cat.

What animals deter feral cats?

Even if you don’t mind feeding the wildlife, when you have a feral cat population, raccoons and other animals can deter the strays.

How far off the ground should a raccoon cat feeder be?

They can scale rock, brick and stone. However, they are not good jumpers. A raccoon-proof cat feeder should be at least 40 inches off the ground.

Why are stray cats discouraged from eating at the station?

Even if you’ve never had an incident pertaining to fighting, the stray cats may be discouraged from eating at your station simply due to the competition with the wildlife.

How to keep raccoons from coming back?

Tip: Remove any leftover food before it gets dark to deter the raccoon from continuously coming back.

Why are cats anxious when eating?

Studies have also shown that the typical animal is anxious and very attentive when eating at a station, as they are forced to be in a crouched position and for longer periods-of-time. This leaves the cat vulnerable to a predatory attack. An overly-populated feeder may leave the more timid felines reluctant to feed.

How to save money on a stray cat?

Changing up the time when you feed the stray cats or by investing in a raccoon-proof feeder, will save you a lot of money down-the-road. Don’t let the cats go hungry when these tricks may just work for you.

Do racoons eat strays?

Raccoons are nocturnal animals. By feeding your strays in the morning or daytime hours you will cut down on the chances of this nighttime bandit stealing those yummy morsels. In addition, it reduces the risks of the cats running into a hungry predator.

Why Do Raccoons Like Cat Food?

Raccoons and cats are pretty similar in many ways. They’re equally playful, they like fish and other meat-based foods, and both species can be found throughout North America. The similarities between these two mammals make feral cat food a delicious meal for raccoons.

A Step by Step Guide on How to Keep Raccoons Away From Feral Cat Food

The first thing you should do is keep feeding the feral cats indoors. This might seem obvious, but it is essential because if the food is close to your house, raccoons will find out about it, which could be a problem.

Conclusion

We hope you have gone through the article on how to keep raccoons away from feral cat. As we have seen, there are many ways to keep raccoons away from wild cat food. While some methods are more effective than others, it is essential to remember that no one solution will work for everyone or in every situation.