Are Raccoons Related to Cats or Dogs?

When you look at a raccoon, its features, characteristics, and behaviors might remind you of your beloved pet cat or dog. But which species of animal are raccoons more closely related to? The answer will certainly surprise you. Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about the Common raccoon, including which species they are most related to.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Felines and Canines

Raccoons behave very similarly to dogs in that they sniff around, walk on all fours, and, although carnivorous, will eat almost anything you hand them. Also, raccoons are highly intelligent like dogs, which exhibit higher thinking and learning compared to cats. They even have snouts that look just like a dog’s muzzle. So, it seems like raccoons are a lot like dogs; right?

On the other hand, if you observe a raccoon, they appear very similar to a cat with their long flexible tails, skinny legs, small paws, sharp claws, and pointed ears. Furthermore, they are agile and nimble, and have sharp their teeth that resemble that of a cat’s. But regardless of what you see or assume, raccoons are not related to neither feline nor canine species.

Raccoons and Bears

Raccoons are actually related to bears! Not what you expected? Well, the truth is, bears are raccoons closest relative. Of course, the evolutionary tree split more than 40 million years ago, sending bears off on one side and raccoons off to the other, making them at best, distance cousins. But if you have ever heard of nuisance raccoons being referred to as “Trash Pandas”, although a bit derogatory and unfair, you can now understand just how accurate that moniker is. So, when it comes to dogs, cats, and raccoons, the only real scientific similarity is that they are all three part of the Carnivora order.

Pet Raccoons

Now that you know raccoons are not related to neither dogs nor cats, you can imagine that they are not recommended to take as pets. In fact, unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitation professional or organization, it is considered inhumane to keep a raccoon as a pet. Raccoons are wild animals who are literally tens of thousands of years from being a partially domesticated animal like cats and dogs. If you find a baby raccoon, it is important to leave it where it is and let nature takes its course. If the location of a baby or injured raccoon is obstructing the safety or function of your property, contact a local raccoon control company for 24 hour emergency raccoon removal service.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane Louisville raccoon removal services you can trust. We offer a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties, including raccoon removal, control, prevention, proofing, cleanup, attic restorations, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or information about Louisville raccoon control, today.

Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

How to Make a Safe Raccoon Repellent at Home

When it comes to our homes, we want nuisance wildlife to stay off our properties. But we don’t want is to harm animals in an attempt to keep them away. Here in lies the problem: some wild animals are just too smart for some of our standard tricks. For instance, raccoons. Raccoons are incredibly intelligent mammals that have terrific memories and agile abilities to climb, catch, and grasp. They have little dexterous fingers that can even open doors and latches! So how do you keep ambitious raccoons away?

Fortunately, there are several non-toxic, non-lethal, and perfectly-humane methods for keeping raccoons off your property. One of those methods is a simple, homemade raccoon repellent that you can make right from the comfort of your very own kitchen. And it is likely that you already have several of the ingredients since most are common household items.

Continue reading to learn how to make a safe, but effective raccoon repellent that you can scatter along the perimeter of your yard to keep raccoons away.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

Gather Up Your Supplies

What You Will Need: Plastic spray bottle, fresh water, protective eye wear, kitchen gloves, and anything else to mark off the treated areas from children and pets.

Household Spices (1 or More): Cinnamon, cayenne pepper, black pepper, fresh hot peppers (optional), jalapeño, habanero, serrano, etc.

Extracts (1 or More): Menthol, peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, eucalyptus, etc.

These smells and sensations are something that raccoons hate, and they will stay far away from it at first whiff.  So you are going to be making a solution that contains a selection of the household spices, extracts, and peppers listed above. You do not need to use all of them together. Simply select from one category, or combine all three for an extra-strength solution. You can put all of these items into an empty and clean plastic spray bottle, and administer it around the perimeter of your property.

Getting Started

Choose your ingredients, and combine them in your empty plastic spray bottle. You can purchase a spray bottle at any home improvement store for under $5, or you can clean out an old one.

If you are using fresh peppers, wear your protective gloves and dice them up. Then transfer them to a bowl and crush them with a spoon until the juices begin to flow. Then put the muddled peppers into your spray bottle. Be sure to wash your hands after you remove your gloves.

Once your ingredients are in the bottle, fill your bottle with clean tap water. Then attach the top securely.

Put on your protective eye wear to prevent getting the solution in your eyes as you spray. If it is a windy day, you should apply the repellent the next day.

Walk around the perimeter of your lawn and spray the solution generously. Be sure to avoid spraying areas where pets and children play.

If you have leftover, spray the solution in areas where you have actually seen raccoons. And then spray the bottom of your outdoor trash cans.

If your problem persists, contact a professional wildlife control company for safe and humane raccoon removal solutions.

Louisville Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane Louisville raccoon removal services today. We offer a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties, including raccoon removal, control, prevention, proofing, cleanup, attic restorations, and more. Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate or information about Louisville raccoon control, today.

Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622