Raccoons are adaptable omnivores frequently found in proximity to human settlements, prompting questions about their diet and suitability for consuming human foods. Many wonder if these masked mammals can safely eat cheese. While raccoons possess a highly varied diet, feeding them cheese involves understanding their natural biology and the broader implications of human intervention.
Natural Raccoon Diet
Raccoons are highly opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diet in the wild is remarkably diverse. Their natural food sources include invertebrates like insects and crayfish, along with plant materials such as fruits, nuts, and grains. They also consume small vertebrates, including fish, frogs, and bird eggs. This broad diet allows them to thrive in numerous habitats, from forests to urban environments, by utilizing whatever food is readily available.
Their foraging habits shift seasonally; for instance, in spring and early summer, they may consume more insects and worms, transitioning to fruits and nuts in late summer and autumn to build fat reserves for winter. This natural diet provides all the necessary nutrients for their health and development, emphasizing protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, and a range of vitamins and minerals from natural sources.
Raccoons and Cheese Digestion
While a raccoon might consume cheese if offered, it is not an appropriate food for them due to physiological limitations. Most adult raccoons are lactose intolerant. This intolerance stems from insufficient lactase, the enzyme needed to properly break down lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products.
Consuming cheese can lead to gastrointestinal issues in raccoons, including gas, bloating, diarrhea, and even vomiting. Although young raccoons under approximately 12 weeks old may still produce lactase and tolerate some dairy, their ability to digest lactose typically diminishes as they mature. Beyond lactose, cheese is often high in fat and salt, which can contribute to health problems in raccoons, such as weight gain and elevated blood sugar levels. Additionally, moldy cheese can pose a particular danger, as ingesting mold can release toxins harmful to a raccoon’s liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
Risks of Feeding Wild Raccoons
Feeding human food, including cheese, to wild raccoons carries risks for both the animals and humans. Regular feeding can lead to behavioral changes in raccoons, causing them to lose their natural foraging instincts and become dependent on human food sources. This dependency can make them more aggressive towards humans or other animals as they compete for food.
Feeding raccoons can increase their habituation to human presence, encouraging them to approach people more readily. This can be dangerous if they perceive a threat or if the food source is withheld. Human foods are often nutritionally insufficient for raccoons, potentially leading to obesity, dental problems, and nutritional deficiencies. Beyond these direct impacts, raccoons are known carriers of various diseases transmissible to humans and pets, such such as rabies, Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm), leptospirosis, and giardiasis. Increased contact due to feeding raises the risk of disease transmission and can also lead to property damage as raccoons become nuisances.