litter box trained raccoons!

[Europhyllia]

I just saw one of the wild racoons use the litter box in the garage. My husband says it's the least they can do since they're eating all of our cat food. Who knew they can train themselves to use a litter box?
Been wondering which one of the cats has been pooping so much and not bothered to bury it!

It's kind of amazing (in a weird icky now I got more critters to clean up after kind of way)

[RayAllen]

Lol that paints a funny picture.

Id be worried that they would transfer some type of parasite through their droppings if you have your domestic cats using the same litter box. Racoons are known to carry a wide spectrum of internal parasites and rabies.

[Europhyllia]

Yes we just had a rabid raccoon at the barn not too long ago. We will clean up the garage and close the cat door at the window once we're sure the raccoon are OUT of the garage.
I don't think any of the cats ever used the garage litter box so it was a mystery who did use it.
I just thought it was amazing that they knew what it was for!

[alton]

Probably just marking his/her territory. When they get large enough raccoons will stand up to a human. The largest one I ever caught was around 40" long, but I have heard of 48"? They say they look like little bears.

[RayAllen]

yep, they can get big! In Kansas City a family of them decided to use our attic as a winter haven, nursery and litter box. Had to hire critter trappers to get them out. The male was a big boy, size of a good chunky medium dog.

[Europhyllia]

Probably just marking his/her territory.

I appreciate them marking the territory only in the box. They could be marking all over my boxes! lol

[jroescher]

Marking their territory as thiers, not yours!

[Europhyllia]

I know that. lol
I store a lot of stuff in the garage so I am glad they are so reliably marking in the litter box not my boxes with stuff. Got to appreciate the little things, you glass-half-empty-guys!

[alton]

Karin you know coons love eggs? Oh yea your chicken wire is no match for a large tom coon, he will rip it in two. You better learn to shoot or trap, and welcome to the country.

[Europhyllia]

You guys are totally underestimating me. ;)
Built the chicken coop with chicken wire all around (to keep the chickens in including heads, etc.), then my no climb horse fence over it (to keep the racoons out). No way to rip that one apart. It's good stuff.

I've been here for a long time, building a lot of stuff...

Alton you are about to get a PM from me (my tank is coming this weekend!!!)