Raccoons rank among the most common carriers of rabies in the United States. Spotting a sick raccoon early helps keep your family and pets safe.

These normally shy creatures show clear signs when infected with the rabies virus. Their behavior changes noticeably, making them act in ways that seem odd or out of character.

This guide explains the key signs of rabies in raccoons, what to do if you spot one, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from possible exposure.

What is Rabies

Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord of mammals, including raccoons. Once symptoms start to show, this disease is almost always fatal.

The virus spreads when the saliva of an infected animal enters the body of another animal, typically through a bite. Scratches can also pass on the virus if the sick animal has licked its paws.

Raccoons often transmit this virus to other wild animals. They can also spread it to pets, and, although less common, to humans who come into too close contact.

Quick medical care immediately after contact with a potentially infected raccoon is crucial to preventing the virus from taking hold.

Symptoms of Rabies in Raccoons

Raccoons typically contract rabies through fights with other infected animals. The most common way is through bites that break the skin, allowing virus-laden saliva to enter the body.

The main culprits that pass rabies to raccoons include bats, foxes, skunks, and other raccoons.
Young raccoons face higher risks when they leave their mothers and explore new areas.

Their curious nature and lack of experience put them in harm’s way more often. Once inside a raccoon’s body, the virus travels through nerves to reach the brain.

1. Changes in Behavior and Activity

The first hint of rabies in raccoons often shows in strange behaviors. Healthy raccoons act in certain ways, so when these patterns change, it may signal trouble.

A raccoon with early rabies might pace, circle, or move without purpose. The animal might seem restless, unable to settle down or rest properly.

• Unusual restlessness or constant movement can signal that the virus is affecting the brain.
• Watch for raccoons that seem confused about simple tasks like climbing or eating.

2. Loss of Fear or Unusual Tameness

Wild raccoons naturally stay away from people and pets. This natural wariness helps them survive in the wild and avoid dangers.

A rabid raccoon often loses this fear. The animal might walk right up to homes, pets, or people without showing any concern.

• A raccoon that allows a close approach needs to be treated as potentially dangerous.
• Remember that tameness is not friendliness but a warning sign of illness.

3. Daytime Activity

Raccoons typically hunt and move at night, staying hidden during daylight hours. Seeing one during the day raises questions, but it needs careful thought.

Healthy raccoons sometimes appear in the daytime, especially mothers feeding their young or during food shortages.

The key is to look for other unusual behaviors in conjunction with the daytime sighting.

4. Difficulty Walking and Paralysis

As rabies takes hold, raccoons lose control of their movements. The back legs often show weakness first, resulting in an unsteady walk that resembles intoxication.

Later stages bring paralysis that spreads through the body. The animal may fall over, struggle to get up, or drag its limbs behind it.

• Look for a “drunk” walking style with stumbling or tipping over.
• Partial paralysis often affects one side of the face, causing a dropped jaw or drooping eye.

5. Disorientation and Confusion

A healthy raccoon moves with purpose and reacts quickly to its surroundings. Rabies damages the brain, resulting in confusion and impaired awareness.

These raccoons might bump into objects, fall from places they normally climb with ease, or seem lost in familiar areas.

• Raccoons that walk in circles or bump into things show brain function problems.
• Lack of normal responses to loud noises or sudden movements suggests illness.

6. Abnormal or Strange Noises

Healthy raccoons make chittering, purring, or growling sounds, but rabid ones often vocalize differently. The disease affects the throat muscles and changes their normal functions.

These sounds might include high-pitched screams, unusual grunts, or choking noises. Some make constant sounds rather than the occasional calls of healthy animals.

• Listen for hoarse, strange cries unlike typical raccoon sounds.
• Repeated, meaningless calls often signal distress from the disease.

7. Foaming at the Mouth and Excess Salivation

The classic sign most people know about rabies is “foaming at the mouth.” This happens because the virus causes throat paralysis and extra saliva production.

The raccoon cannot swallow normally, so saliva builds up and drips or foams from the mouth. This symptom often appears in later stages of the disease.

• Look for wetness around the mouth area or stringy drool hanging from the jaw.
• Heavy bubbling saliva indicates advanced disease and extreme danger of transmission.

How to Deal with a Raccoon with Rabies

When you spot a raccoon that might have rabies, act with caution. Your safety is our top priority in this situation.

Keep far away from the animal. No matter how sick it looks, do not approach it or try to help. Even the kindest attempts can lead to dangerous bites.

The best course of action is to contact local animal control experts immediately. These teams know how to handle sick wildlife safely and have the right gear for the job.

Stay quiet to avoid startling the animal. Note its location to help animal control find it. For any bite cases, medical attention should be sought immediately. Early treatment is most effective in preventing the disease.

Tips to Protect Your Loved Ones from Rabies

Keeping family and pets safe from rabies begins with making informed choices around wild animals. Prevention is often more effective than dealing with a crisis later

• Make your home less tempting to raccoons by securing trash cans with tight lids.
• Remove food sources like pet food, bird seed, and fallen fruit from your yard.
• Seal off possible den sites such as attics, sheds, and spaces under porches.
• Vaccinate all pets against rabies and keep their shots current.
• Teach children to admire wildlife from afar and never touch wild animals.
• Stay alert when outdoors at dawn or dusk, when raccoons move about most.
• Carry a flashlight after dark to spot animals before getting too close.

The best plan focuses on prevention. Remember that not all odd raccoon behavior means rabies. Sometimes other issues cause similar signs.

However, since rabies can be deadly once symptoms appear, always exercise caution when encountering wild animals that act strangely.

Stay safe by avoiding wildlife that appears to be sick.