Raccoons are happy to eat almost any food that they can get their hands on, these animals are far from picky eaters and will get very creative when looking for food both in the wild and in the city.

So, what do raccoons eat in the city? This article looks into it

Raccoons eat whatever they can find in cities, these animals will eat anything from garbage to junk food to foods in compost piles

Table of Contents

What do raccoons eat in the city?

Raccoons are omnivores, this means that they can eat both plant and animal matter. They are also opportunistic feeders who will eat almost anything they can get their hands on. Below are foods that raccoons eat in the city:

Fruits:

Some people try to make their homes more warm and homely by planting fruit trees. Fruit trees can add to your garden especially if you live in a concrete jungle, these trees can serve as a source of fresh fruit for you as well.

Unfortunately, raccoons will be drawn to your fruit trees as well. If a raccoon finds a way into your garden it will make a beeline to your fruit trees

Pet food:

Some animals are welcomed in our homes, they make our spaces more warm and homely. Animals like dogs, cats, and birds are frequently kept in city homes, unfortunately, the foods that these animals eat will attract raccoons.

If you leave pet food outside then raccoons will definitely try to make their way onto your property and try to eat some pet food. Raccoons eat dog food, cat food, and bird food. Click the links to read more

Junk food:

The city can be very dirty if mismanaged, people drop junk food as they go about their days and raccoons are more than happy to take this food and eat it.

Junk foods that raccoons will eat in the city include French fries, burgers, pizzas, and all types of street foods. If humans don’t throw this food in the trash then raccoons will definitely eat it

Foods in bird feeders:

Bird feeders are a source of food for birds and raccoons alike, these feeders are packed with a variety of nuts and seeds that are delicious to raccoons. If they can reach them, raccoons will even break open bird feeders in order to get to seeds.

Foods from your garden:

Creating small backyard gardens and growing crops in backyards in the city is becoming more common. These crops are very attractive to raccoons. If a raccoon happens to wander into your garden, it will make a beeline for your crops.

Roadkill:

Cities are packed with cars, seemingly endless traffic on roads is common in cities. Unfortunately, animals that live in cities can sometimes become roadkill because they don’t know how cars work.

If an animal is struck by a car then a raccoon will likely make its way to the animal and eat it, roadkill is an easy and satiating meal for raccoons. Read more on this topic here.

Garbage:

Raccoons are known for eating garbage in cities. When people think of raccoons many think of small animals rummaging through and toppling garbage cans.

These animals enjoy eating food from your garbage because it is relatively easy to find in urban environments. Garbage also smells very strongly, and because of this, raccoons will be able to find it easily

Insects:

Insects are eaten by raccoons in the wild and in cities, in fact, insects make up a large part of the raccoon diet in the wild. If raccoons can find insects in urban areas then they will eat them.

Insects that raccoons eat in cities include ticks, roaches, and snails if they can find them

Small mammals:

Hunting may not be a raccoon’s favorite way to find food but they will certainly hunt for and kill prey if they have to, and they usually have to in cities.

Raccoons eat animals that are smaller than them, they eat mice, rats, and even squirrels. Injured prey is preferred because it is easier to catch.

Compost piles:

Not only will raccoons eat from your garbage cans but they will eat from your compost pile as well.

Compost piles emit a strong smell, raccoons are drawn to this smell. If your compost pile is not closed off from raccoons, then these animals will surely feed on it

Raccoons will eat a wide variety of foods, this article explores in more detail what raccoons can eat. Click to read more

How can raccoons eat garbage?

Raccoons have no problem getting into garbage cans, these animals are intelligent, and are problem solvers, they can manipulate objects with their hands and this allows them to get into garbage cans.

When it comes to how they don’t get sick from eating garbage, the secret lies in how their bodies are designed.

The bacteria that is present on foods from the garbage isn’t toxic, if there is toxic bacteria present on garbage, then this bacteria gets killed in the raccoon’s stomach which is highly acidic.

What foods can raccoons not eat?

Although raccoons are known to be able to eat a variety of foods there are some foods that these animals simply cannot eat. Foods that raccoons can’t eat include:

Raisins

Cocoa

Macadamia nuts

Chocolate

Avocado

Coffee

Cows milk

This article explores this topic in more detail. Click to read more

Conclusion

In conclusion, raccoons can eat almost anything in the city, these animals are known to feast on plants from your garden, foods from the garbage, junk food thrown on the floor, pet food, foods from bird feeders, small mammals, foods from compost piles, insects, fruits, and even roadkill if they have to

They are able to open garbage cans using their intelligence and agile hands, plus, any bacteria that can cause the animal to become sick and die is killed in the animal’s body.

Foods that raccoons can’t eat include macadamia nuts, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, raisins, cows milk, and avocado

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other raccoon related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Raccoon In Backyard At Night, What To Do If You See A Raccoon At Night?

What Do Raccoons Eat In The City? (10 Foods They Eat)