Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are among the most recognizable and adaptable mammals in North America, thriving in diverse environments from forests to bustling city centers. Their distinctive black mask and dexterous paws contribute to their reputation as curious and intelligent scavengers. Because these animals are so common in urban and suburban environments, people frequently encounter them and may be tempted to leave out food. Understanding the natural diet and the significant risks associated with human-provided food is essential for the raccoon’s health and public safety.
The Raccoon’s Natural Omnivorous Diet
The raccoon is a true opportunistic omnivore, meaning its wild diet is highly varied and changes depending on the season and local availability of food. In natural habitats, their diet is a balanced mix of plant and animal matter, which their digestive system is optimized to process. A typical breakdown of their foraging may include approximately 40% invertebrates, 33% plant material, and 27% vertebrates.
Invertebrates form a large part of this diet, consisting of insects, crayfish, worms, and snails, which they often forage for near water sources. Plant-based foods include seasonal offerings such as wild berries, fruits, nuts like acorns and hickory nuts, and various seeds and grains. They also consume small vertebrates, including frogs, fish, rodents, and the eggs of ground-nesting birds. This whole-food diet provides the necessary nutrients and caloric density to build up the fat reserves they need to survive the winter months.
Foods That Pose Serious Health Risks
While raccoons are known for raiding garbage, many human foods are physiologically harmful or toxic to them, regardless of whether they are offered intentionally or found as scraps. Chocolate contains the compound theobromine, which raccoons metabolize very slowly, leading to a toxic buildup that can cause tremors, a dangerously rapid heart rate, and severe nervous system pain. Similarly, allium vegetables like onions and garlic contain disulfides and sulfoxides that can induce anemia in small carnivores.
Moldy leftovers and spoiled foods are particularly dangerous as they can harbor tremorgenic mycotoxins. Ingesting these toxins can result in vomiting, seizures, and neurological deficits. Highly processed items, including excessive sugar and junk food, can quickly lead to obesity and organ strain. Furthermore, while raw bones are generally manageable, cooked bones become brittle and can splinter into sharp fragments, posing a serious risk of internal injury or intestinal blockage.
Why Intentional Feeding is Strongly Discouraged
The act of providing food to raccoons causes negative consequences that extend far beyond their individual nutritional needs. Intentional feeding leads to habituation, where the animals lose their natural fear of humans and begin to rely on people as a predictable food source. This loss of wariness can cause raccoons to become unnaturally bold, increasing the risk of aggressive encounters and bites when they approach people or pets expecting a handout.
Artificial feeding also contributes to abnormally high population densities in urban areas, which is a major factor in the spread of zoonotic diseases. Raccoons are a primary carrier of rabies, and increased density facilitates transmission of the virus within the population, raising the risk of spillover to humans and domestic animals. The roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis, a parasite commonly found in raccoons, sheds millions of eggs in their feces, often deposited in communal sites called latrines. These microscopic eggs become infectious after a few weeks in the environment and can cause severe neurological disease in humans if accidentally ingested, particularly in children. The most responsible action is to practice passive deterrence by securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and removing all outdoor pet food, ensuring raccoons remain wild and healthy.