cats & coons

Hi,
My spelling really is not the best, so please be kind.

I'm so exited, i got my new computer and the ffirst thing i wanted to do is talk about cats & racoons. it's great to find people that like them to.
I have 4 house cats, 2 dogs, 2 racoons in the house right now. my racoons are my 3rd generation grandbaby's I rase for my female coon Penute who lives here on the farm.

Never been on a forum before, hope i'm doing it right

Welcome to TCS.

Katie

Hi, Hannah. Welcome to TCS. There is a lot to learn here and plenty of people to visit with any time of the day or night.

I've been rather fond of coons, too. In fact, I used to feed the ones in our neighborhood before I even got cats. I don't keep them as pets, though. That's illegal in my state, and I really don't want them as a pet anyway. I do enjoy their visits to the yard, though. I quit feeding them this year, as there were getting to be too many in the neighborhood and they were becoming a nuisance. But I still put a bucket of water out for them and the many deer, so they don't keep knocking over my birdbath.

Here are some pictures I've taken of my cats with the raccoons. In both cases, I took the picture from inside through a rather dirty window. Excuse that!

Moving this to New Cats, so that you can get a proper welcome.

Hannah, and Twofatcats, What gorgeous animals you have!!!!!!! I loved the photos!

its illegal to house raccons in PA according to the PA game commission. the reason- # 1 carrier for rabies as well as host to a bunch of parasites that can effect pets and humans

Originally Posted by twofatcats

Hi, Hannah. Welcome to TCS. There is a lot to learn here and plenty of people to visit with any time of the day or night.

I've been rather fond of coons, too. In fact, I used to feed the ones in our neighborhood before I even got cats. I don't keep them as pets, though. That's illegal in my state, and I really don't want them as a pet anyway. I do enjoy their visits to the yard, though. I quit feeding them this year, as there were getting to be too many in the neighborhood and they were becoming a nuisance. But I still put a bucket of water out for them and the many deer, so they don't keep knocking over my birdbath.

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How do your cats and coons get along? We have some vicious racoons who have recently moved into our barn, and they are fighting with our cats. The cats couldn't even eat, unless dh was in the barn with them!

We have since moved the feeding spot, and don't leave food out, but several cats are adopted ferals who are too afraid to come around when I am out there. How can I humanely get rid of these raccoons?

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

How do your cats and coons get along? We have some vicious racoons who have recently moved into our barn, and they are fighting with our cats. The cats couldn't even eat, unless dh was in the barn with them!

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Well, as you can see in the second photo above, the cats keep an eye on the coons when they are around, but many a time I've seen a situation like that in the photo, with the cat on the porch waiting to get back in and a raccoon there waiting for a human so he could beg for a handout. I've seen many times when a coon would get too close for Purdy's comfort and he would swat at the coon's face. The coon would back off. That worked with the little female that kept showing up and with the young ones, but I'd hate to see what might happen if he did that with a big old male. I have seen a coon chase Red Cat all the way around the house, so he is a bit more timid of them now.

Thankfully, we don't have a problem with rabies in this state. Of course, it could happen, but since it hasn't in the past the risk of them being in close proximity to the cats isn't as big a concern here as in some other parts of the country.

I don't feed my cats outside at all, so there really isn't any competition for food. If there were, I can see that there would be more of a problem, and I really don't know how you'd solve it if you are feeding ferals. Relocation of the coons is often a death sentence except for the older males, as the young ones need their mother for about 8-10 months, I believe. They may look big enough to be on their own, but they just don't have the smarts to find their own food and protect themselves yet. So whether you catch the young or mama, the young will probably die either way. Mama doesn't usually kick the young ones out until about the time she goes into heat again the next spring.

Welcome I am donna proudly owned by the incredible trio

Hi and welcome to TCS!!!!!


See you on the forums!!!

Hi Hannah! Welcome to TCS! Do you have any pictures of your kitties and raccoons?

human male pee scares of raccoons but not cats

Originally Posted by maverick_kitten

human male pee scares of raccoons but not cats

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Hey, its worth a try. I'll let dh know, and he and the boys can "mark" the barn and maybe the raccons will move out themselves.

please let me know if they do it!!

Hi and Welcome

Hello and welcome!!!!

Welcome!