If you are looking at raccoon proofing an existing feeder or making a new feeder that is raccoon proof, then we have a few suggestions that you can put to good use. Here are some tips for how you can get this done:
- The easiest method is a doghouse, with a microchip door installed in place of the normal dog door. This will unlock when a pet carrying the door’s microchip gets close and lock safely when they walk way.
- You can make a cat feeder less attractive to raccoons by sprinkling cinnamon or cayenne pepper around it.
- A coffee can with a hole-poked lid and a rag soaked in apple cider vinegar inside is another scent-based deterrent that will keep raccoons at bay.
- A compromise is also an option, simply install a separate feeder in a backyard tree for the raccoons. That way they will be more likely to leave the cat’s alone, as hunger will be less of a motivator.
Give one or more of these methods a try and you should be able to keep raccoons at a good distance so that your cats may eat safely.
For the remainder of this article, we’re going to answer questions about keeping raccoons out of your pet food or the food you are leaving out for strays. Let’s take a look at the questions and answers for the most popular searches on this subject!
Table of Contents
- How can I feed my cats and not raccoons?
- How do you keep racoons out of feral cat food?
- How do I protect my outdoor cats from raccoons?
- What is a good raccoon repellent?
- Will vinegar keep raccoons away?
- Is it OK for raccoons to eat cat food?
- Are raccoons afraid of cats?
- Will racoons hurt cats?
- Does Irish Spring soap keep raccoons away?
- Do moth balls repel raccoons?
How can I feed my cats and not raccoons?
Your best bet for keeping raccoons from getting outside cat food is to take advantage of the cat’s superior skills. Placing the food on a platform that can only be jumped to is a good way to keep the Raccoons out.
As long as there isn’t something above that the raccoon can drop down from, the food should be relatively safe and the high placement also helps to keep insects out of the food.
While clever, raccoons simply don’t have the acrobatic and jumping prowess of the average cat, so using a platform should do the trick nicely when it comes to keeping the cat food ‘cat’s only’.
How do you keep racoons out of feral cat food?
The easiest method is to avoid leaving leftovers and to simply supervise feral cat feedings. If you come out at the same times, the cats will notice – cats are very schedule minded and hungry cats will keep watch at times that they know you are coming out.
By staying there while they eat, the cat’s trust in you will increase and the raccoons should keep their distance while the cat eats. When they are done, take the bowl inside to store any leftovers in your freezer and a Ziploc or discard them and replace later at the next feeding.
How do I protect my outdoor cats from raccoons?
Mostly this is about making your yard less attractive to raccoons. Make sure that the yard is clean, as trash out there will attract raccoons, and a fencing upgrade can also help.
Aside from this, there are repellent sprays that you can purchase which won’t bother the cat but should keep those raccoons out of your yard in the first place.
What is a good raccoon repellent?
The best repellents are going to be the ones that your local pest control businesses offer, but you can also use some home options that will work quite well for keeping those little bandits at bay. Two of the easiest that you can use are cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
Raccoons are very sensitive to smells and both cinnamon and cayenne pepper are very unpleasant for them. Sprinkling these in your yard once or twice a week should go a long way towards keeping those raccoons away.
Will vinegar keep raccoons away?
Apple cider vinegar is another smell that raccoons really aren’t so fond of. Possibly the smell reminds them of rancid, fermented garbage, but whatever the reason they definitely don’t seem to like it.
Take advantage by filling a coffee can halfway up with apple cider vinegar, or placing a cloth soaked with it in the can, and poke holes in the plastic lid before setting it outside. The wind should waft the scent around in your yard and raccoons may well think twice about visiting the yard.
Is it OK for raccoons to eat cat food?
While it’s safe for raccoons to eat, the biggest problem is the potential of spreading disease between the two types of animals and the very real possibility that they will fight over the food. Both raccoons and cats tend to get defensive and are perfectly willing to fight when there is food to be had.
Depending on the size of your cat, that might go very badly, plus there is a possibility that they might frighten your cat out of the yard altogether and you’ll have to go out and find them.
If you want to feed both the cats and your local raccoons, a feeding station in a backyard tree is a better option.
Are raccoons afraid of cats?
While cats and raccoons don’t general go after one another, preferring avoidance, there are occasions when a fight occur. If a clever cat manages to corner a raccoon, there will definitely be a fight, and it is unlikely to go well for the cat.
The best answer would be to say that raccoon respect cats enough to avoid them, but they are perfectly willing to fight if they are cornered or hungry enough.
Will racoons hurt cats?
Raccoons can certainly hurt cats, and vice versa, with scratches and bites being quite likely even in very brief exchanges. This also opens up the possibility of disease transmission, as open wounds are quite vulnerable to this.
If a raccoon is overly aggressive, it might even be rabid, so if you notice this and your cat gets scratched or bitten, a trip to the vet and a call to your local pest control is a good idea.
Does Irish Spring soap keep raccoons away?
Oddly enough, raccoons and some other small animals like possums and skunks don’t seem to like the smell of Irish Spring. As such, this is a possible way to help keep them at bay, but don’t expect very dramatic results.
Pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper are much better options that you’ll get a little more mileage out of.
Do moth balls repel raccoons?
Yes, Raccoons really don’t like mothballs, but they aren’t ideal when you are talking about keeping raccoons away from cats or dogs. This is because cats will play with mothballs and might even gobble a few and they are highly toxic.
Dogs might well find them and chew them, with the same results, so if you have pets then mothballs should not be considered a good option for keeping raccoons at bay.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.