Raccoons are highly adaptable urban animals that will scavenge nearly any available food source, meaning they can physically eat raw chicken. However, this opportunistic consumption comes with considerable risk, as raw poultry often carries pathogens and other biological dangers. Understanding their natural diet and the inherent risks of raw meat is necessary to manage cohabitation with these nocturnal creatures.
Raccoons as Opportunistic Omnivores
Raccoons are classified as omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, which enables their success in diverse environments from forests to major cities. Their diet in the wild is varied, consisting of invertebrates like insects and crayfish, small vertebrates such as frogs and mice, and a wide range of plant foods including berries, nuts, and corn. This flexibility is a large factor in their ability to thrive near human development.
In urban and suburban areas, raccoons frequently supplement their natural diet by scavenging from human sources, including unsecured garbage cans and pet food left outdoors. Their powerful sense of smell and dexterous paws allow them to exploit new food opportunities, which is why raw chicken or other meat scraps are easily accessed. Their digestive system, with strong stomach acids, is adapted to process raw meat and deal with a higher bacterial load than a human’s.
Health Risks Associated with Raw Poultry
Despite their robust digestive systems, the consumption of raw chicken presents raccoons with significant health hazards, primarily due to microbial contamination. Raw poultry is frequently colonized by bacteria that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, with Salmonella and Campylobacter being two of the most common pathogens. These bacteria can infect the raccoon’s intestinal tract, potentially leading to diarrhea and dehydration, though they often act as asymptomatic carriers.
Studies on wild raccoon populations have shown a high prevalence of these bacteria. While raccoons may shed these pathogens without displaying severe symptoms, they are constantly reacquiring the bacteria from their environment, including contaminated food sources like raw chicken. This constant exposure can place a strain on their overall health and immune function.
Beyond bacterial contamination, raw chicken presents a physical hazard if the meat contains bones. While raw bones are generally softer and more pliable than cooked bones, they still carry a risk of lodging in the digestive tract or causing injury. The consumption of raw poultry, therefore, introduces risks ranging from severe gastroenteritis to potential internal lacerations.
Practical Steps for Wildlife Management
Minimizing the risk of raccoons consuming raw chicken or any human food waste relies on effective preventative measures in residential areas. Homeowners should never intentionally feed raccoons, as habituation to human food sources increases their presence and the risk of disease transmission. Feeding wildlife also causes them to lose their natural fear, leading to greater human-wildlife conflict.
Securing all potential food sources is the most effective management strategy.
Securing Food Sources
Trash cans should be tightly secured with locking lids or bungee cords, or stored indoors until the morning of collection. Pet food should always be brought inside overnight, as it is a strong attractant for raccoons and other scavengers.
These steps also reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, which is the spread of pathogens from animals to humans. Raccoons are known carriers of diseases like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and the parasitic roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis in their feces. Limiting their access to human spaces and food waste significantly reduces the potential for these pathogens to enter the home environment.