Are you wondering how much it costs to buy or own a raccoon? Raccoons may seem like intriguing and cute pets, but they require special care and can be quite expensive. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide a detailed look at the costs of purchasing, feeding, housing, and caring for a pet raccoon.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The purchase price for a pet raccoon ranges from $300 to $2,500. Expect to spend $900 to $5,000 per year on food, housing, vet bills, and other care costs. Raccoon ownership also requires permits and can be prohibited in some states and cities.
Raccoon Purchase Costs
Breeder Prices
Purchasing a pet raccoon from a breeder can be quite expensive. Reputable breeders often charge between $500-2,000 for a baby raccoon. This covers the costs of proper breeding, veterinary care, vaccinations, and raising the kits to an adoption-ready age.
Some factors that affect the price include the raccoon’s age, gender, color variety, and pedigree. For example, rare color mutations like cinnamon and blonde may cost upwards of $3,000 from specialty breeders.
Keep in mind that many states prohibit owning raccoons as pets, so breeder options are limited.
Rescue Adoption Fees
Adopting a rescue raccoon is often more affordable than purchasing from a breeder. Adoption fees typically range from $50-200 depending on the organization. This helps cover food, housing, vet expenses, and care while the raccoon was in rehabilitation.
The advantage of adopting is giving an abandoned raccoon a second chance rather than supporting irresponsible breeders. Rescues can also match you with a raccoon that fits your lifestyle and experience level. For example, some rescues have bonded pairs that must be adopted together.
The adoption process involves interviews, home inspections, and signing a contract to ensure the animal’s welfare in its new home.
Wild-Caught Raccoons
Trapping or catching wild raccoons is illegal in most states. Not only is it unethical, but wild raccoons do not make good pets. They are not socialized to live with humans and often harbor diseases like rabies, roundworms, and canine distemper.
The stresses of captivity lead to neurotic, destructive behavior. Additionally, it is nearly impossible to litter train an adult raccoon. Babies may be tameable if rescued young enough, but catching wild infants also poses huge risks to the mother who spends months teaching them to survive.
Wild raccoons are best left in the wild to live freely. If you want the exotic pet experience, stick to reputable breeders or rescues providing happy, socialized raccoons.
Housing and Habitat Costs
Outdoor Housing
Raccoons are highly adaptable animals that can live in a variety of outdoor habitats. In the wild, they tend to dens in hollow trees, rock crevices, brush piles, or abandoned burrows. If you plan to house your raccoon outdoors, you’ll need to construct or provide a safe den area for them.
Some options include:
Outdoor habitats should be escape-proof with a covering to protect from weather and predators. Expect costs starting around $200 for materials to build a basic outdoor den setup.
Indoor Housing
Keeping a raccoon happy and healthy indoors requires a spacious cage or enclosure. The recommended minimum size is 7 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft for one raccoon. Bigger is always better. Large dog crates or custom-built habitats work well. You’ll also need:
Proper indoor caging can cost $500-$1000 depending on materials and size. Wire penning is affordable but requires customization. Wooden vivarium-style enclosures look great but are more expensive. Try to provide multi-level habitats with adequate vertical space.
Enrichment Items
Raccoons are smart, curious animals that need plenty of stimuli to stay entertained in captivity. Rotate new toys and activities to prevent boredom and stress. Good enrichment options include:
You’ll also need to provide fresh foods, branches, and clean bedding for daily enrichment. Budget $50-100 per month for variety. Rotating new items will keep your raccoon engaged and active!
Raccoon Diet and Feeding
Food Costs
Raccoons are omnivores and will eat both plant and animal matter. This means their diet can be flexible, but it’s important to provide them with a balanced mix of foods. Here are some of the costs associated with feeding a pet raccoon:
- Commercial raccoon food: $15-25 per 10 lb bag. Expect to go through about 1 bag per month.
- Fruit and vegetables: $10-15 per month.
- Meat protein (cooked eggs, chicken, etc.): $15-20 per month.
- Insects (mealworms, crickets): $5-10 per month.
- Treats (nuts, seeds, dried fruits): $5-10 per month.
So in total, expect to spend $50-80 per month to feed your pet raccoon a nutritious diet. The costs can add up quickly, so make sure you budget accordingly!
Dietary Requirements
Raccoons have some specific dietary needs you’ll want to keep in mind:
- 35-40% protein is ideal, from sources like eggs, meat, fish, and insects.
- Fruits and veggies should make up 40-60% of their diet.
- Good treats include nuts, berries, and seeds.
- Fresh, clean water must be available at all times.
- Calcium is very important, provide a supplement if needed.
- Avoid too much starch, salt, and sugar.
- Do not feed chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or anything spoiled.
It’s also crucial to feed pet raccoons 2-3 smaller meals throughout the day, rather than one large meal. This mimics their natural foraging behavior. Sticking to a proper feeding schedule and diet is key to having a healthy, happy raccoon companion!
Veterinary Care
Exam Fees
Just like any other pet, raccoons need regular veterinary checkups to ensure they stay healthy. An initial exam typically costs $50-100. Annual exams run $100-150. If your raccoon is sick or injured, emergency vet visits can cost $150-300.
Since raccoons are exotic pets, you’ll need to find a vet familiar with their care. Exotic vets are more expensive than typical veterinarians. But they have the expertise needed to properly treat these unique animals.
Vaccinations
Raccoons require a series of kitten vaccinations as babies. These initial puppy and kitten shots cost around $75-100 total. Annual boosters as adults are approximately $45 each. Core vaccines include:
- Rabies – Protects against the fatal but preventable viral disease spread by bite wounds.
- Distemper – Shields against the contagious and serious distemper virus.
- Parvovirus – Defends against the potentially deadly parvovirus.
Your vet may also recommend vaccines for leptospirosis, Bordetella, and canine hepatitis.
Medications and Supplements
Like dogs and cats, raccoons may need prescription medications or supplements to treat medical conditions. Common medications include:
- Antibiotics – Treats bacterial infections. Cost is $30-60.
- Pain relievers – Alleviates pain. Around $20-50.
- Dewormers – Removes intestinal parasites. Approximately $10-20.
- Flea and tick preventives – Repels parasites. $50-150 annually.
Supplements like probiotics and vitamins ensuring proper nutrition range from $15-50. Make sure you have an emergency fund of $1000-2000 for any illnesses or injuries requiring hospitalization and intensive treatment. Owning an exotic pet like a raccoon means accepting extra healthcare costs.
Permits and Regulations for Pet Raccoons
State Laws
Owning a pet raccoon is regulated by each state, with some states allowing it but others prohibiting it. For example, states like Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have no restrictions on keeping captive-bred pet raccoons.
However, states like California, Georgia, Iowa, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and New York specifically ban residents from owning pet raccoons. So be sure to check your state’s laws before getting a raccoon!
Even if legal in your state, a permit is often required to own a pet raccoon. These permits ensure proper enclosures are provided and may mandate things like regular veterinary care. Annual permit renewals may also be necessary.
According to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, over 2,300 pet raccoons were licensed in the state in 2021 alone (1). So following proper permitting procedures is a must.
Local Ordinances
Beyond statewide regulations, many counties and municipalities also have their own restrictions regarding exotic pets like raccoons. For example, while pet raccoons are legal in Colorado with proper permitting, Denver specifically prohibits ownership under its municipal code (2).
So be sure to check if your city or county has any rules that apply.
Local ordinances may cover things like:
- Mandatory spaying/neutering of pet raccoons
- Required confinement procedures when transporting your raccoon in public areas
- Minimum enclosure sizes if the raccoon is kept outdoors
- Limitations on how many raccoons can be owned per household
So while state permitting is important, don’t forget to research if additional local pet raccoon regulations apply where you live. Failing to follow these rules could result in fines or even confiscation of your beloved trash panda!
References:
(1) North Dakota Game and Fish: Domestic and Captive Wildlife
(2)Denver Municipal Code: Sec 8-71 – Keeping Wild Animals
Conclusion
Raccoons may seem like cute and intriguing pets, but they have complex needs and require significant investments of time, space, and money. While purchase prices range from $300 to $2,500, expect to spend thousands per year on proper housing, quality food, veterinary care, and meeting legal requirements.
Do ample research to determine if a pet raccoon is right for you.
