Deterring Raccoons While Welcoming Feral Cats: A Balancing Act

Raccoons can be a real nuisance, especially when you are trying to care for feral cats. They can wreak havoc on your property and carry deadly parasites that may spread diseases to your pets. While it can be challenging to get rid of raccoons without disrupting feral cats, there are several strategies you can employ to achieve this. Here are some tips and tricks to help you keep raccoons away while still providing for the feral cats in your neighbourhood.

Switch to daytime feedings

If you're looking to get rid of raccoons but not feral cats, switching to daytime feedings is a great strategy. Raccoons typically come out at night to look for food, so by making food available during the day, you can deter raccoons while still providing food for feral cats.

Here's how you can implement this strategy effectively:

Timing is Key

Try making the food available in the morning and keeping it out until just before sunset. This ensures that feral cats have ample time to feed during the day while raccoons are less likely to be active. Consistency is crucial; stick to a regular daytime feeding schedule so that the feral cats can adjust to the new routine.

Store Food Indoors at Night

To further discourage raccoons, store the food indoors overnight. This prevents raccoons from roaming around your property in search of food. Keeping the food secure at night also reduces the likelihood of attracting other unwanted visitors, such as possums.

Be Patient with Feral Cats

Feral cats may initially be hesitant to come out for food during the day, but they are adaptable and should adjust to the new feeding schedule within a short time. It's important to maintain consistency with the daytime feeding routine to help them make the transition.

Combine with Other Strategies

While switching to daytime feedings can be highly effective, you may also want to explore complementary strategies to enhance your efforts. For example, consider elevating food bowls or feeders to a height that cats can jump to but raccoons cannot easily access. Additionally, eliminating other food sources, such as sealing trash cans and enclosing gardens, can reduce the overall attractiveness of your property to raccoons.

Remember, raccoons are intelligent and adaptable creatures, so combining multiple strategies can increase your chances of success in deterring them while still providing a safe and accessible food source for feral cats.

Move food bowls indoors

Moving food bowls indoors is an effective way to deter raccoons while still feeding feral cats. Raccoons are attracted to cat food, so by keeping the food bowls inside, you make it harder for raccoons to find them.

One way to do this is by installing a cat door in your garage door or wall and keeping the food bowls in the garage. For the first few nights, you may need to leave a small bowl of food outside the cat door to help the feral cats find their new feeding spot. If raccoons also start coming into the garage for food, you'll need to find a new spot.

Another option is to build a small box with a cat door and place it near your home. Keep the food bowls inside the box until the raccoons find the food. If this happens, you can simply move the box to a new location. Using surveillance cameras can help you monitor the box and determine when raccoons are getting into the food.

Moving food bowls indoors offers feral cats a safe and protected place to eat, no matter the weather. It also makes it more difficult for raccoons to locate the food source. However, this method may only be effective in the short term, as raccoons are intelligent and may eventually find their way to the indoor feeding area.

It's important to note that you should not leave food out indoors for extended periods, as it can attract other pests and create unpleasant odours. Remove any uneaten food and wash the bowls regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent potential health hazards.

Elevate food bowls

Elevating food bowls is a simple yet effective trick to deter raccoons from eating food meant for feral cats. This method works because cats are agile climbers, while raccoons are not. Raccoons prefer to feed from low-to-the-ground food sources, whereas cats can jump high to satisfy their hunger.

To elevate the food bowls, you can install shelves on the exterior wall of your home or build tall stands or tables in your yard, away from trees that raccoons can climb. The height of the bowls should be several feet off the ground to prevent the raccoons from accessing the food.

While this method can be effective, it is important to note that raccoons are intelligent animals. They may eventually figure out how to reach the elevated bowls, so it is not a foolproof solution. Additionally, older or sick cats may have difficulty reaching the elevated bowls, so it is crucial to consider the abilities of the feral cats in your area.

Elevated food bowls are also beneficial for cats with digestive issues, arthritis, or other joint problems, as they allow cats to eat in a more comfortable standing position. When selecting elevated bowls, choose those made from food-grade stainless steel, ceramic, or glass to ensure hygiene and durability.

Eliminate other food sources

To eliminate other food sources for raccoons, you need to ensure that your garbage is secure and there is no leftover food lying around your property. Raccoons are notorious for digging through trash in search of food, so it is important to switch to trash cans that seal and lock to prevent them from getting into them. This will also ensure that dangerous items like chicken bones are not left on the ground, where feral cats can get to them and choke.

Check your property for any food that may have been left outside, including half-eaten food by raccoons or food that may have been thrown out by a neighbouring home. Enclose your garden with netting or a greenhouse, especially when fruits and vegetables are beginning to ripen, to prevent raccoons from stealing the produce.

It is also important to note that raccoons are attracted to the scent of food, so it is a good idea to clean up any spills and keep all drain areas dry.

Find a new place to feed feral cats

If you're looking to deter raccoons from feeding on the food you leave out for feral cats, one option is to find a new place to feed them. Here are some tips to help you do that:

Find a new location

Firstly, you'll need to find a suitable new location to feed the feral cats. Consider places in your neighbourhood where raccoons are less likely to be a problem. Perhaps there's a park or an undeveloped property where you could set up a feeding station. You could also reach out to your community and see if anyone else is willing to help find a location. By engaging with your neighbours, you might find that there are more people than you think who are happy to lend a hand!

Set up a feeding station

Once you've found a suitable location, it's time to set up a feeding station. You can use a variety of containers, such as bowls or boxes, and place them in a safe and accessible spot for the cats. Make sure to provide enough food and water, and try to stick to a consistent feeding schedule. You might also want to provide some form of shelter or protection from the elements, especially if the cats are used to eating indoors.

Make the cats feel comfortable

It may take some time for the feral cats to adjust to the new feeding location. To make the transition easier, try to create a comfortable and inviting space. You could use a "catio" or similar enclosure to give them a sense of security while still allowing them to access the food. Providing some form of entertainment or enrichment, such as toys or scratching posts, can also help keep them occupied and engaged.

Be consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to feeding feral cats. Try to stick to a regular feeding schedule and keep the feeding station well-stocked. The cats will come to rely on this food source, so it's important to make sure it's available when they need it. If possible, consider enlisting the help of others in the community to ensure that the feeding station is consistently maintained.

Monitor the situation

Keep an eye on the new feeding location to ensure that it remains safe and effective. Check on the food levels regularly and replenish as needed. It's also important to monitor the cats' behaviour and overall well-being. If any issues arise, such as new raccoon intruders or conflicts between the cats, you may need to make adjustments to the feeding station or its location.

Frequently asked questions