Baby raccoons, often called "trash pandas," are undeniably cute. However, encountering one presents a unique set of challenges and responsibilities. This article provides a comprehensive guide to caring for an 8-week-old raccoon, covering essential aspects from initial assessment to feeding and long-term care.
Determining the Raccoon's Status
The first step is to determine if the baby raccoon has truly been orphaned or simply wandered away from its mother. Just like human kids, a baby raccoon is likely to wander away from mom. Observe the baby for a few hours. If it has been alone for more than a few hours, it may have been abandoned. You can also place a laundry basket upside down with the baby under it and leave them under it until nightfall since raccoons are nocturnal creatures and mama raccoon will come back to obtain her baby.
Is the Raccoon Truly Orphaned?
Consider these factors:
- Absence of the Mother: Raccoons rely on their mother for a long time, often for a year, and den with her over their first winter. If the mother is gone-trapped, removed, or killed-the baby is likely orphaned.
- Nest Disturbance: Check for signs of nest disturbance. The nest may have been destroyed, or the mother may have been scared away.
- Injury: If the baby is injured (unless the injury is superficial), it may have been abandoned.
- Desperate Behavior: Orphaned raccoons may be desperate enough to approach and follow people.
If the mother is not around and the baby appears to be in distress, it is likely orphaned and requires intervention.
Initial Steps: Safety and Warmth
If you determine that the baby raccoon is orphaned, follow these steps:
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- Get Baby Raccoon to Safety: Carefully get the raccoon into a safe crate and bring it to a spare room in the house. DO NOT let children, adults, or pets play with it. A baby raccoon that has been abandoned cannot fend for itself. If you aren’t sure about what to keep a baby raccoon in, you can use supplies like cat or dog crates to keep them safe and transport them. Moreover, you need to pay special attention to where the baby is.
- Keep Warm: As babies, raccoons need all the warmth they can get. Place a warm water bottle or heating pad on low settings inside the crate with the baby raccoon to keep them from freezing. Keep in mind that most raccoons have a normal temperature that is around 101 degrees.
Important Considerations for Warmth
- Avoid Hot Water: Hot water is too warm for a raccoon and can kill them. Only use a warm water bottle or heating pad on low settings.
- Provide Soft Bedding: Line the crate with soft, non-ravelling cloth, flannel, or polar fleece bedding. Avoid materials with hanging threads, as the baby can become strangled.
- Maintain Proper Ventilation: If using a box, be sure to punch breathing holes in the top.
- Monitor Temperature: Ensure the environment is warm but not too hot. The babies should be able to move away from the heat source if they get too warm.
Hydration: The First Priority
It is human nature to want to cuddle, feed, and nurture abandoned animals. Yet, when it comes to raccoons, it is bad for their digestive tract to feed them without properly hydrating them first. A dehydrated little body is simply unable to digest food (i.e. rehydrated it can kill them, or cause debilitating diarrhea. Thankfully, a baby raccoon can be hydrated by feeding it with a baby bottle, nipple, and Pedialyte.
Rehydration Solution
- Pedialyte: This is the preferred option for rehydration.
- Homemade Solution (Temporary): In a pinch, you can mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 3 teaspoons of sugar in 1 quart of warm water. Use this homemade solution only until you can get to a drug store. Discard any unused portion after 72 hours.
Feeding Instructions
- Warm the Solution: Warm the rehydration solution to body temperature.
- Use a Syringe or Bottle: A syringe and nipple are best at first. You can also use the small pet nursing bottles available at pet stores.
- Administer Slowly: Offer a small amount of rehydration fluid into its mouth.
- Observe and Adjust: Some raccoons catch on to nursing from the nipple while others catch on easily. Be patient and very vigilant.
Feeding: Choosing the Right Formula
Whether you are keeping the raccoon, or preparing it for the rehabilitationist, you will need to feed it. Simply mix 2 ¼ parts of water with 1 part kitten formula. Do not feed a baby raccoon dairy milk, or puppy milk. You may wish to ask the wildlife rescue how much you should feed the raccoon.
Recommended Formulas
- KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement): This is closer in terms of fat-protein ratio to the mother raccoon's milk.
- Esbilac (Puppy Milk Replacement): This is another acceptable option.
Both products are made by PetAg. Get the powdered product rather than the liquid, and keep it refrigerated after opening.
Formulas to Avoid
- Cow's milk, goat's milk, soymilk, human baby formulas, and most other pet products are not suitable and will likely cause severe diarrhea/dehydration, malnutrition or death for the baby, and a great deal of heartache for you.
- Homemade recipes for wildlife formulas posted on the Internet are often referred to as "death formulas" by experienced wildlife rehabilitators, so please do not use them.
Mixing Instructions for PetAg Formula (Esbilac)
PetAg changed the manufacturing process for Esbilac in 2008, resulting in a powder that does not dissolve as readily - the powder particles apparently have a hard 'shell'. So, it is important to follow these mixing directions carefully.
- Mix 1 part powder + 2 parts water.
- Use very hot water (about 175F), but not boiling because boiling may destroy some nutrients.
- Add half of the water and stir thoroughly for at least a minute to make a smooth thick liquid, then add the other half of the water and again mix thoroughly.
- If it is lumpy when you mix it, strain it, but push the lumps through the strainer so you retain all the nutrients.
- Try not to incorporate air into the formula as you mix it, and always let the reconstituted formula rest for several hours in the fridge (at least 4, preferably overnight) before using it to feed the baby. This will allow the milk powder particles to fully dissolve.
- At feeding time stir the formula again lightly and then remove only what is needed for that feeding.
- Warm the serving and stir again before feeding.
Gradual Introduction of Formula
- Dilute the Formula: Draw up one syringe of KMR or Esbilac (reconstituted according to the directions below) and express it into a coffee mug, then draw up 3 syringes of Pedialyte and express that into the mug.
- Mix and Feed: Mix and then feed with that solution, warmed to body temperature, for the first introduction of formula feeding.
- Gradually Increase Concentration: Over several feedings, gradually decrease the amount of Pedialyte and increase the amount of formula until the baby is taking full-strength formula.
Feeding Schedule and Amounts
- Frequency: Frequent feeding is necessary (every hour, the amount depends on the animal).
- Amounts: Follow the guideline below.
- Newborns and up to 10-12 week old raccoons should receive milk only. Use a 4 oz.
- Stop feeding when our bellies are full, but not tight. You can always just feed us until we’re full.
Feeding Techniques
- Positioning: Hold the baby in an upright position (not on its back) during feeding.
- Nipple Size: Ensure the nipple has an appropriate-sized hole. If the formula flows too quickly, enlarge the hole.
- Pacing: Watch both the raccoon and the feeding syringe. If fluid is coming out of the nose, you are depressing the syringe plunger more quickly than you are depressing the syringe plunger.
- Burping: Gently pat the baby on the back after feeding to expel any air.
Stimulation for Elimination
The third thing to keep in mind is the need for genital stimulation when their eyes are closed. In the wild, their mothers lick their genital area in order to stimulate the babies to urinate and defecate.
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Stimulation Technique
- Use a Warm, Damp Cloth: After each feeding, use a warm, damp cloth to gently stroke the anal and genital area.
- Mimic Mother's Licking: Use light, feathery strokes to mimic the mother's licking.
- Observe for Urination and Defecation: This stimulation will cause the baby to urinate and/or defecate.
- Note Color and Consistency: Monitor the color and consistency of the urine and feces.
Weaning and Introducing Solid Foods
9 weeks - add baby food to diet. At 6-7 weeks, you can start introducing solid foods.
Recommended Solid Foods
- Human baby foods: These are particularly good.
- Chopped fruit: Grapes and bananas are favorites.
- Cooked chicken: Cut up very finely.
- Dry cat food: Mix 1/3 of dry cat food with water to soften it and mix it in the diet, and puppy chow the other 2/3.
Feeding Schedule
- Gradual Introduction: Start by offering small amounts of solid food alongside formula.
- Observe and Adjust: Monitor the baby's interest in solid foods and adjust the diet accordingly.
Health Considerations
Raccoons are hardy animals and usually no health problems occur. However, if you receive an ailing coon or your racoon becomes sick, frequent feeding is necessary (every hour, the amount depends on the animal).
Stress Formula
One stress formula is the regular milk formula supplemented with 1/2 tsp. Karo, a few extra drops of Multi-Pet vitamins and 1 oz.
Common Health Issues
- Diarrhea: This can be caused by overfeeding, incorrect formula, or parasites.
- Bloat: This can be caused by improper digestion.
Parasite Prevention
- External Parasites: If the baby has fleas, ticks, fly eggs or hatched larvae, remove parasites you see (fleas, ticks), and any fly eggs. Use a mild liquid (Dawn is good) to get rid of the parasites.
- Deworming: Deworming during the time they remain in your care is also highly recommended.
Rabies Risk
Raccoons are characterized as a high risk rabies vector species.
Housing and Enrichment
- Provide a Safe Space: Provide them with more space.
- Enrichment: Baby toys and empty boxes are also good.
Release Considerations
Released at about 16 - 18 weeks of age. It is crucial for the baby's socialization and eventual release into the wild that it be raised with other raccoons.
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Legal Considerations
You must also check to make sure it is legal to keep a raccoon in your state.