How to stop raccoons and other wildlife from eating outdoor pet food

Feeding outdoor pets is a noble deed but can become costly if your outdoor feeding station becomes a buffet for wildlife. Foxes, raccoons, squirrels, and possums all enjoy pet food if they find a way to it.

These tips below can help with raccoons and other wildlife if they are eating your pet’s food.

Pick a perfect time

Feeding your pet in the morning or daytime can help keep raccoons and other nocturnal animals away. Feeding in the day also helps to decrease the risk of your pet coming across a hungry predator. Be sure to remove any leftover food before it’s dark to prevent wildlife from coming back.

Using raccoon-proof feeders

A raccoon-proof feeder is one that has a design with the animal’s traits in mind. Raccoons are very good at climbing (not just wood) but also bricks and stone. Fortunately, they are weak jumpers. The raccoon-proof feeder is at least 40 inches above the ground. The feeding station is also of a smooth metal sheet or plastic. That is to prevent the raccoons from obtaining a grip to climb up to the feeding station. The feeder should also have a waterproof cover to keep rodents and birds away as well as to keep the food dry.

You can also set a trap and relocate the animals to prevent them from coming back. You can then make changes in your feeding pattern. For information on removing raccoons from your property, visit this website.

Monitor pet feeding

Another way to keep wildlife from eating pet food is to feed your pet small portions that it can finish at a time and withdraw its feeding bowl once it is empty. This works better than leaving the full bowl with pet food all day long because doing this keeps the animal fed and the raccoons hungry. Never leave your pet food outdoors overnight because raccoons are nocturnal animals and will always come back when there is a promise of a snack or night nibble.

Raccoon-proof fencing

Building raccoon-proof fences around your pet’s play area may help to keep raccoons and other wild animals out of the pet food and keep your pet safe from a potential attack. It also allows you to feed your pet at all times without fear of wildlife. The fence should surround your yard or just the pet’s play area.

Call professionals

If a raccoon continuously visits your yard even after trying to deter it, it is time to involve a professional. You can try to capture a raccoon yourself, but seeking professional help to remove the animal from your yard is more efficient and less time-consuming. The professional has the proper skills and equipment to carry out a raccoon removal and can advise you on how to avoid more raccoon visits.

Always try to feed pet animals indoors to keep them safe from predators or monitor feeding while they are outdoors.

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