New study suggests one wild animal could be the next to join dogs and cats as domesticated pets — and it all starts with trash

They may be edging toward domestication faster than expected, but researchers remain unsure if they’d make ideal pets.

PUBLISHED NOV 11, 2025

(L) Labrador Retriever Hugging Ginger Cat, (R) Looking for Food in a Dustbin. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L)Evelyn McCarthy, (R) Federica Grassi)

While dogs and cats typically dominate the pet industry, a new study is eyeing a wild animal on the verge of domestication by humans. The reason behind the key change is worth pondering. Researchers at the University of Arkansas have closely studied the wild animal species becoming increasingly familiar with urban environments, a major factor in their unexpected domestication. Trash has reportedly played a significant role. The lead researcher, Dr. Raffaela Lesch, drew comparisons with wild ancestors of dogs and cats, similarly adapting to new environments of human proximity.

A curious North American raccoon is peeking over a wall (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Ed-Ni-Photo) — A curious North American raccoon is peeking over a wall. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Ed-Ni-Photo)

“Trash is really the kickstarter,” said Lesch in a UA Little Rock report published on October 16, 2025. She and her team of researchers discovered that raccoons living near humans are possibly showing the earliest signs of domestication now. They analyzed 20,000 images of raccoons across the U.S. and compared the animals based on rural and urban environments to find noticeable differences in their physical characteristics. City raccoons have developed shorter snouts than their rural counterparts, which helps them rummage through trash cans for food. Interestingly, the masked bandits on their college campus are also exhibiting the signs of an evolutionary development. The new study was published in the journal Frontiers in Zoology on October 2, 2025.

Representative Image Source: Tom Werner| Getty Images — Researchers working. (Representative Image Source: Tom Werner | Getty Images)

Dr. Lesch explained, “It turns out they’re incredibly friendly,” Lesch told KARK. “They don’t fight; they share their snacks that they find in the trash cans.” The marked difference in their snouts is groundbreaking evidence that raccoons could potentially become domesticated animals in the future. While raccoons are not inherently aggressive, they are extremely cautious and may pose a threat to humans in certain circumstances, per Accurate Pest Control. However, that is set to change as domesticated raccoons would likely have calmer temperaments. The lead researcher emphasized the significance of urban trash cans in driving this evolution.

Cat and Dog playing | (Image Source: Pexels |
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová) — Cat and Dog playing. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Helena Jankovičová Kováčová)

The professor explained that wolves similarly began hanging around “garbage heaps” during ancient times, which gave us dogs. “Cats did the same thing, hanging around dumpsters for mice. Raccoons are following that same path today.” They are drawn towards human settlements for the convenience of food and shelter. They might be inching towards domestication faster than expected, but the researchers are not sure whether they would be ideal pets for humans.

Family Feeding Raccoons. (Representative Image Source: Pexels |Сергей Игнатьев) — Family Feeding Raccoons. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Сергей Игнатьев)

With their dexterous hands, the animals could easily open door knobs, latches, and treat jars without human assistance. “I think raccoons will probably be a handful once they make it to pet status,” the professor speculated. Although they are predicted to showcase a mix of both dog and cat personalities. It would be incorrect to believe that raccoons would become beloved pets in the next few decades, as evolutionary processes take thousands of years. For instance, dogs were not man’s best friend about 20,000 years ago, and were as much a threat to humans as any other wild animal, per Britannica.