How to Make a
Baby Squirrel Go Potty
When you find an orphan, it almost always needs to eliminate (go potty or poop). In the wild, baby squirrels are stimulated to both urinate and defecate by their mother gently licking the genital area until the baby relieves itself. This also effectively keeps the baby's bottom clean and healthy.
Since it is a rare individual who is willing to perform this task in the same fashion as the mom, you may use the method described here to accomplish the same outcome.
What is important to note is that you must simulate the baby to urinate and defecate every time you feed the baby. The baby cannot do it on its own until it is several weeks old (generally around the time it is fully furred at 5 to 6 weeks).
Even if you think the baby is urinating on its own because you see staining on its bedding does not mean it doesn't need help. Failure to stimulate the baby regularly to empty its bladder and bowels will result in a painful death.
How to Stimulate the Baby to Eliminate
You will need cotton balls, squares or soft tissue and moderately warm (not hot) water. Taking a soft cotton ball or tissue, gently but rapidly stroke the genital area in a circular motion (the way you would expect a mother squirrel would do it).
The baby should produce urine within a few seconds but sometimes it takes a bit longer so be persistent. Soon you should see a yellow staining on the material or feel dampness. Keep it up until the baby stops urinating. Baby squirrels are stimulated to defecate the same way. Normally, the babies feces (poop) is very small, oblong, mild smelling and firm. If the feces looks and smells about the same as the food that went in the front end of baby, then the baby is not digesting the formula. If this occurs or at any time the infant develops diarrhea or bloating, cut back on the concentration of formula (dilute with water) until the situation clears up.
Reference the Recommended Reading links for more information on normal and abnormal feces.
Adding a small amount of acidophilus powder (found in capsules or crushed tables available at most stores that supply vitamins) into the fluid helps prevent and resolve loose stools.
If diarrhea, bloating, constipation or problems getting the baby to urinate persist for more than 24 hours, the baby must receive immediate medical attention from a veterinarian with experience in wildlife rehabilitation.
Try introducing acidophilus at each feeding. It really works to prevent and resolve pale, loose, foul smelling and runny stools.
Babies may not urinate and produce feces every time they eat, but you should be able to accomplish the task frequently every day.
Stimulate the baby for at least two minutes after each feeding. Clean up the bottom with a scent free baby wipe or warm water on a clean cotton ball or tissue.
It is vital that the baby be kept clean, so frequently clean its bottom and be sure to clean out bedding when soiled.