Baby raccoons are called cubs and they are helpless in the first weeks. They are born deaf, blind, and highly dependant on their mother for their survival. Baby raccoons are often found with their mother, but there are some times when these raccoons are found separately. This can happen when the mother raccoon is trying to find nourishment for the baby raccoon. In this instance, it can happen that the baby raccoon is separate and on its own. When you come across this scene it is highly recommended to wait it out. In the case of extreme temperatures, whether it is cold or hot, action needs to be undertaken.
Call Pest Control Newmarket to have it picked up by specialists in wildlife control so it can be brought to a rehab centre.
So, what do you do when there is no other option than to take care of baby raccoons? Read below for more information:
- Get a box and put a heating pad in it. Set the heating pad to the lowest setting.
- Place rags or a bath towel on the heating pad.
- Take an old shirt or sweatpants and gently put the baby raccoon inside it. Then, place it carefully in the box. Make sure it’s not too hot.
- Alternatively, fill a water bottle with hot water, wrap it in a cloth, and use it to gradually warm the raccoon.
- Keep the box in a dark place and warm the baby slowly over several hours.
Before feeding the raccoon:
- Make sure the baby raccoon is at its core body temperature (101–103ºF/38.3–39.4 ºC). Feeding a cold baby raccoon can be fatal.
- Avoid warming the baby raccoon too quickly, as it can lead to organ failure.
If you find orphaned raccoons, they may be dehydrated. You can make a homemade rehydration solution by mixing 1 pint of boiled (or distilled) water with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1/3 teaspoon of salt. Another option is to use a beverage like Gatorade. Remember to ensure the baby raccoon is at a stable body temperature before giving it anything to hydrate.
Before feeding the baby raccoon:
- Ensure it’s warm and calm.
- Start with KMR (kitten milk replacement formula by PetAg) Infant Formula – KMR. Mix 1 part powder with 2 1/4 parts distilled or filtered water. This is important to protect the fragile baby raccoons. Avoid giving them whole milk, raw eggs, or honey, as these can cause digestive bacterial infections.
Feed the baby raccoon five times a day. If it doesn’t take a bottle yet, purchase a nurser bottle or a baby bottle with a preemie nipple from a pet store. Warm the formula to its body temperature (101–103ºF/38.3–39.4 ºC). Feed the baby raccoon on its tummy and gently rub its back until it starts sucking the formula. Make sure to feed the baby raccoon in a quiet, dark room. Stop feeding when it stops looking for the nipple or sucking vigorously.
if you have raccoons on the property and do not know what to do, call the experts from Pest Control Newmarket. Call 905-581-3776.