Abstract: The study investigated the effect of reducing the protein level in growth period on performance of raccoon dogs. Thirty-four male raccoon dogs with similar body weights, healthy, were assigned to one of two dietary treatments of 17 each, according to the protein level divided into 2 treatments, the control （conventional rations, protein, 25.62%）, the low protein group （ Met,0.15%, protein, 19.49%）, experimental period was 60 d. As a result, the body weight （P=0.003） and dry matter intake（P =0.010） in the control increased significantly the treatment group. The crude protein digestibility （P =0.812）, crude fat digestibility （P =0.856） in the control was similar with the low protein group. The dry matter digestibility （P=0.002）, the total protein in the serum （P =0.047） was increased significantly in the low protein group. There was a increasing trend of the daily gain （P =0.059）,sulfur amino acid as methionine （P =0.830） and cystine （P =0.420）, but the variance was not predominant. The pelt length （P =0.013）, pelt weight （P=0.001）, the length of guard hair （P =0.012）, the density of guard and under hair （P =0.037） were increased evidently in the control. The reduced protein level in diets of raccoon dogs in winter period, can enhance animals production performance such as dry matter digestibility and the total protein in the serum, but it also brings the unreversible disadvantage influence on dry matter intake, body weight, pelt properties.

Key words: raccoon dogs; low protein; performance; pelt properties