We all know that humans can pack on the pounds, and so can animals, but why? Why are raccoons so fat?
Raccoons are so fat because they have access to foods that are generally very rich in fat and sugar. They have access to cheeseburgers, French fries, desserts, sweets, bread, and a variety of other junk and fried foods, which all contribute to making them fat.
Wild animals are generally at a healthy weight, this is the case for raccoons in the wild as well.
But recently, more raccoons have been living in urban areas, and it seems that raccoons are getting fatter and fatter.
So the question on your mind may be Why are raccoons fat? Whether you’re a concerned raccoon lover, a wildlife enthusiast, or are simply curious, this article will help you figure out why raccoons are so fat
Table of Contents
Why are raccoons fat?
Raccoons are living among humans more than ever before, and because of this, they’re eating differently than they would in the wild.
They now have access to food that was never a part of their natural diet. And on top of that, they are less active.
When it comes to living in the city, raccoons only have access to food from the garbage and the occasional food that humans give them.
Food discarded by shops and restaurants is generally very rich in fat and sugar, but as opportunistic eaters, raccoons will eat this food without a second thought.
This has a negative effect on their health and weight. Raccoons will pack on the pounds, gaining excessive weight, and this is why they are so fat.
Because they eat similarly to humans in the city, these animals will also develop metabolic syndromes such as obesity and even diabetes.
They eat foods that are high in salt and high in fat. Their bodies aren’t equipped to deal with all that salt and fat, so they become bigger just like humans do.
These animals will eat cheeseburgers, French fries, desserts, sweets, bread, and a variety of other junk and fried foods.
In addition, in the wild, it’s more difficult to find food to eat to sustain themselves. They spend a lot of time walking around looking for food in the wild.
In urban environments, it’s much easier to find food and easy to find food that is fatty and unhealthy; in addition, they eat out of boredom.
Just like bears, which are related to raccoons, raccoons stockpile fat. Bears use this fat during hibernation.
Raccoons do not hibernate but use this up when food is scarce during the winter. In urban environments, these small animals aren’t very active in the winter or summer, and this results in a buildup of fat stores on their bodies.
In the case of pet raccoons becoming fat, these animals are fattened up by their premium formulas.
Yes, what you give them is a great source of nutrients, but sometimes too much can be a negative. In addition, you may be feeding your pet some nuts or dog food but these are also very fattening to them
What’s a healthy raccoon weight?
A healthy and medium-sized raccoon weighs in the range of about 14-23 pounds.
Of course, this is dependent on the habitat and the food options in the area, but this is generally what you can expect from a raccoon living in the wild. Toda,y raccoons in the city can weigh much more than this
How to get my pet raccoon to lose weight?
You can get your pet raccoon to lose weight by changing its diet to a healthier one, similar to what it eats in the wild.
This diet will include worms, invertebrates, fruits, insects, vegetables, birds, amphibians, mice, and crickets
You can also give them foods such as fish, eggs, vegetables, earthworms, mealworms, and grain-free dog food.
However, because this has a high-calorie count, only feed them a handful or ⅛ of a cup a day and supplement with other foods in small amounts. Give them a tablespoon or two of fresh veggies and insects, chicken, or egg
If you want to feed them a treat, you can feed them snacks like nuts. Note: Because nuts are high in fat, you want to limit how much you give them.
Do not give them bowls of nuts; give them one or two. You can also give them fruits as snacks in moderation, too much fruit will add too much sugar to their diet
FAQ:
Why do raccoons have thick fur?
Raccoons and other animals have thick fur mainly to keep them warm.
These animals can live in climates that are very cold. The fur helps these animals stay warm.
The dense underfur also helps to keep the animal dry from mud or water.
Is it bad to touch a raccoon?
Yes, it is, touching any wild animal, raccoons included, is not recommended, for two reasons: one, because the animal’s fur may be holding bacteria that can make you sick, and two, the animal may feel cornered or threatened as a result of the touching and may attack in self-defence
Summary
In summary, raccoons are so fat because they live in urban areas. They eat fatty and sugary foods from the garbage and as a result become obese.
The foods that they eat include chips, burgers, pizzas, sweets, and desserts. They don’t eat the healthy diet that they usually would in the wild, and they aren’t as active; they can also eat out of boredom.
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: why are raccoons hunted, how do raccoons not get sick, why do raccoons eat garbage, how to keep raccoons from eating tomatoes,