What Can Raccoons Eat?
Raccoons are highly adaptable omnivores with a diverse diet, which is one of the reasons they thrive in both wild and urban environments. Their dietary habits can be broken down into several categories:
Fruits and Vegetables
Raccoons enjoy a wide variety of plant-based foods. These are common in their diet, especially in warmer months when such food is readily available:
Berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)
Grapes
Apples
Peaches
Persimmons
Melons
Corn (sweet corn in particular)
Tomatoes
Squash
Carrots
Other garden vegetables
Nuts and Seeds
These provide essential fats and proteins:
Acorns
Walnuts
Pecans
Sunflower seeds
Other native tree nuts
Insects and Small Animals
Raccoons are opportunistic hunters and scavengers:
Beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars
Earthworms
Snails and slugs
Frogs and toads
Small rodents
Birds (especially eggs and nestlings)
Fish and crayfish (especially in aquatic or riparian habitats)
Carrion and Leftovers
Raccoons will scavenge and eat dead animals or discarded food. In urban areas, this often includes:
Roadkill
Pet food left outside
Table scraps
Garbage from unsecured bins
Grease or fat drippings from grills
Compost that contains food waste
Human Food (Urban and Suburban Settings)
Raccoons are notorious for raiding trash cans and pet food bowls:
Bread and baked goods
Cooked meats (chicken, beef, pork, fish)
Pasta, rice, and other grains
Fast food leftovers
Dog or cat food
Important Considerations
What They Can Eat vs. What They Should: Just because raccoons can eat something doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Processed foods, sugary snacks, or anything with artificial ingredients are not good for them and can cause health issues.
Feeding Raccoons Is Discouraged: Intentionally feeding raccoons, especially with human food, habituates them to people, increases dependency, and can create public health concerns or aggressive behavior.
Hazardous Foods: Raccoons should not consume chocolate, onions, grapes (in excessive amounts), alcohol, caffeine, or foods high in salt or fat—these can be toxic or harmful over time.
Raccoons are dietary generalists, able to consume a wide array of foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts, insects, small animals, and carrion. Their ability to adapt their diet based on season and environment allows them to thrive in rural, suburban, and urban settings. However, when raccoons access human food sources, especially in large amounts, it can lead to problematic behavior and health risks—for them and for humans.
What Do Raccoons Like To Eat?
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders, but they do exhibit clear preferences when given a variety of food choices. Their preferred foods are typically those that are high in calories, easy to access, and rich in fats, sugars, or proteins, which makes sense given their need to build fat reserves for winter and fuel their high activity levels. Below is a detailed breakdown of the types of food raccoons prefer most:
Sweet, Juicy Fruits
Raccoons show a strong preference for sweet, energy-dense fruits:
Grapes – high sugar content and easy to eat
Berries – especially blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries
Melons – watermelon and cantaloupe are commonly targeted
Peaches and apples – especially fallen or overripe fruit
Cherries and plums – small and sugar-rich
They will often raid gardens or orchards for these and can climb trees to access fruit.
Protein-Rich Animal Matter
Despite their love for fruit, raccoons are also highly drawn to animal-based foods:
Eggs – easily raided from bird nests or poultry coops
Chickens or small birds – they may attack small or unprotected poultry
Fish and crayfish – raccoons are adept at fishing in shallow streams
Insects and larvae – especially grubs, which they dig up from lawns
Rodents or carrion – scavenging dead animals or catching small prey
The preference for protein is especially strong during breeding season or when feeding young.
High-Fat or Greasy Human Foods
In urban or suburban areas, raccoons are notorious for favoring:
Pet food – both dry kibble and wet canned food
Grease from grills – they are attracted to leftover fats and drippings
Cheese, meats, and leftovers – anything high in fat and protein
Fried foods – discarded fast food or oily scraps are prime targets
Peanut butter – often used as bait due to its strong scent and calorie density
Their natural preference for high-fat foods helps them store energy efficiently.
Corn and Starchy Vegetables
While not as high in sugar or protein as fruits or meat, raccoons love:
Sweet corn – often raided in gardens or farms
Pumpkins and squash – especially when softened or ripe
Potatoes – raw or cooked leftovers
Corn is one of their top plant-based favorites after fruit.
Nuts and Seeds
Given the choice, raccoons will select nuts that are easy to open and rich in fat:
Acorns
Pecans
Walnuts
Sunflower seeds
These are more commonly consumed in the fall when they are preparing for winter.