Quick Question and New Pic

[newsqmom]

Hi all... the 4-5 week old squirrels are doing well. Their eyes are not open as of yet but seem to be close to opening. My question is this... I have read that they will start to pee and poop on their own when their eyes open. However, all of a sudden their cage had developed a pretty strong odor even though I gave them all a bath and cleaned their cage completely last night. There is a lot of poop to clean out each day (I guess three times as much since they are triplets!) but until a few days ago, it has never had an odor. Could they be peeing on their own despite their eyes being closed? They will still go when stimulated. Any suggestions on bedding that will absorb some of the odor?

Thanks!!!

[Buddy'sMom]

The "when they open their eyes" is an approximation. Some start to go on their own earlier, some later. Esp. with three, you probably want to keep stimulating them for a while just to make sure EVERYone is going on their own.

We had a blankie area and a newspaper area. Buddy would always go to the paper to pee and poop. But his eyes were open; I don't know if they do that earlier. :dono Or even if they all do. Others have had "odor problems" and will probably post what they did to minimize it.

They are VERY CUTE!! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Oh..look at them..they are adorable!!
I stimulated my Bean often..he was an only child...and still is...
When he was little I stimulated before and after eating..and then I alwats wet wiped him down..with lavender wet wipes...I also..in the corner he chose to do his business in..I put..wet wipes..in that one corner...and changed the wet wipes daily...then..I eventually..put a shoe box filed with SWHEAT Scoop kitty litter...he learned to use the litter box..NOW as a one year old he still uses the litter box...:alright.gif :jump :alright.gif
Some one else...may have other idea's for you..
HAve a great night.
:wave123 Rachel n Bean:wave123

[wheezer]

Yes, it is an aprox. time when they pee and poop on their own. I would continue to "help" them just in case they all are doing it.

Also I noticed one of your blankies may be the material that is very soft and cuddly but some of them don't absorb liquid so that means they will roll in it and start to smell. I actually like that squirrel urine smell, kind of like a barn smell..they all are good ole animal smells to me:D If you use material like t-shirts, sweat shirts they will absorb the urine and then the little squirrels won't smell and you can wash the material regularly.

As far as litter, I think they are much too young for anything like that. They could ingest the material. But I always use litter for digging boxes when they are around 6 weeks or so. I still get a bit nervous about what I use, they always try to eat it. But clay or dirt shouldn't hurt them. I use the Sweat for my cats. It is great and is just processed wheat. I still would be afraid to use with a small squirrel because it swells when wet and it may swell in the intestines when swallowed. I am sure an older squirrel it would be fine.
Hope that helps..it is just my opinion through my experiences...not set in stone:D
Good luck with those cute babies...you have a lot of work in store:) :bowdown

[Sciurus1]

Hi :wave123 Thanks for seeking out our board, to learn more about caring for these baby squirrels.

I read you bathed them. Using a warm wash cloth to clean them up, if necessary, is ok. As for dipping them in water to wash them is not necessary, and not good for them, for it cools them down too much. Only under very special circumstances like a severe back injury, is then done to keep a squirrel from getting bacterial infections, that cannot clean itself.

I am sure you know most of this, but we share information in it's complete form on the board, just incase others here are wondering about that topic as well. Doing a good job there! Best wishes S1