Your first instinct when your dog locks up with a raccoon is to jump in and grab somebody. Don’t. That’s how you end up bitten by both animals, and a raccoon bite can mean rabies shots. Here’s how to break it up without getting hurt.
Use something long, not your hands
Never put your hands or face near a raccoon fight. Grab a rake, shovel, or broom and use it as a barrier to push them apart. A long tool keeps your body out of reach.
Make noise while you do it. Yelling, banging pots, or an air horn will often startle the raccoon into letting go. A hard spray from a garden hose aimed at the raccoon’s face works well too. If you can, toss a blanket over the raccoon to disorient it while your pet gets clear.
After the fight
Even a small puncture from a raccoon can get infected fast. Get your pet to a vet, even if the wounds look minor. If you got bitten or scratched, wash it with soap and water and see a doctor right away. And report the incident to animal control so the raccoon can be tested for rabies.
Keep your pet’s rabies shot current. That’s the one thing that stands between a scary fight and a worst-case outcome.
Stop it from happening again
Raccoons fight pets for a reason, usually food or a den site. Supervise your pet outside at dawn and dusk when raccoons are active. Take up pet food, birdseed, and garbage that draws them in. Seal gaps under decks and porches, and keep your pet leashed in areas where you know raccoons are around.
Frequently Asked Questions
A raccoon can seriously hurt a small dog, and one protecting its young will fight hard. Even a big dog can be bitten and exposed to rabies while “winning” the fight.
Yes, especially kittens and smaller cats. Cats and raccoons compete for the same food and territory. Keep cats inside at night.
Separate them with noise, water, and a long tool, never your hands. Then get your pet to a vet, even for small wounds, and report it to animal control.
A rabid raccoon may be out in daylight, staggering or circling, drooling, making odd sounds, and showing no fear of people. If you see that after a fight, call animal control immediately.
If you can do it safely from a distance, yes. If the only way to intervene is with your body, hold back and call for help. You can’t help your pet if you’re the one who gets bitten.
