my squirrel nuggs isnt quite "potty trained"

[DBendo888]

Hey everyone I rescued a baby squirrel a few months ago he is now large fully furred big bushy tail the works. I gave him the option of being released into the wild about a month when I felt that he was fit and took off was out of site then came running back into my pocket. He is very well behaved and loves people however the one problem I have noticed is that he poops pretty much every time he comes out of the cage where ever he wants as if he wasn't even pooing. I used to keep rags in his cage but I purchased kitty litter as a replacement. He has had it for about 3 days and his bathroom habits haven't changed. My dad told me about having pet cats that couldn't control their bowel movements so I was worried that nuggs might have the same problem. His feces are little pellets that are hard. I have him feeding usually on a mix of cheerio's and unsalted nuts and carrots. If anyone has any suggestions of ideas that could help me that would be great... thanks for your time and have a great day!

Edited personal data. Please use Private Messaging (upper right) as this is a public forum. Thanks!

[Bugsie]

Hi and welcome to TSB:Welcome
Glad you found us..Reading your post, it looks like your little
buddy is lacking a healthy squirrel diet..Squirrels need lots of calcium:poke
If you follow the link I am posting at the bottom ,it will get you
right on track:thumbsup
As for the potty training ..Well... some will use the litter and others:poke wont:D
Most squirrels will leave a little trail where ever they go:jump

For now though..I would be mainly concerned about his diet..
Also:D feel free to post some pics...We love em:multi


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16093

[island rehabber]

hi DBendo888 and :Welcome to The Squirrel Board!
Bugsie is right on target: your boy's diet needs a lot of improvement, or I am worried he will develop MBD - Metabolic Bone Disease -- from lack of calcium. Please go to our Squirrel Nutrition forum and read up on the Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191

You should also read up on MBD to understand why we are so worried:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=168.

As for the pooping, that's what squirrels do. They are wild creatures who have not been domesticated for thousands of years the way cats and dogs have. They poop when and where they feel like it....get used to it. :D :poke

[merman]

Hey, welcome to TSB and thanks to saving the little one :thumbsup

I see your concern is poo not wee..
Where does he go for wee ? Does he use litter box or wherever it comes ?

Two previous members already mentioned about the importance of HEALTHY DIET for pet squirrels, hope you already checked it. :poke

Keep us posted about the little one and please, aaaannndddddd.... we LOVE pics! :D

:wave123

[tatcat]

:wave123 hi dbendo, and a BIG :Welcome to our TSB family...i will leave the nutrition part to 4skwerlz as she is the expert here...as far as your lil buddy pooping everywhere...they are like peez dispensers...i would have "handy-wipes" handy if i were you...or a box of tissues like i do...:jump

[Pointy Tale]

:Welcome Hi! I will the leave the advice to the experts, so glad you're here, you found the right place.

[DBendo888]

Thanks every1 for your help! nuggs is already responding to the kitty litter hes still leaving his little droppings here and there but not nearly as much. Hes practically out playing with me all the time so you cant blame him for needing to go to the bathroom. I'm building him a little box to fill with kitty litter to bring downstairs where he usually hangs out with me and my friends. As far as the diet comes thanks for your concern now that I have addressed the lack of protein I know what I need to fix it. So are these "rodent blocks" enough protein once added to his meal? and if so where do I purchase these? Hes getting bigger as the days go luckily I kept him on a kitten formula so he got the nutrition he needed to get as big as he is now. I have some pictures on my phone that ill try to figure how to upload and ill also take some with a digital camera so you guys can see my buddy nuggs :)

once again thanks for everything, dan

[Pointy Tale]

So are these "rodent blocks" enough protein once added to his meal? and if so where do I purchase these? Hes getting bigger as the days go luckily I kept him on a kitten formula so he got the nutrition he needed to get as big as he is now.

DBendo888—I am Not a rehabber, but Kitten Formula is a No No. It must be ESBILAC Puppy Formula. I am sure a rehabber will be on shortly to give your more thorough advice. And, yes he needs to be on rodent block, or Henry’s Healthy Blocks, (you can purchase them online here at TSB or on HHB website) which is specially formulated for squirrels. Please look at the Nutrition Section (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191). You can also look at the Baby Squirrel Questions Section (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=87). I am not the best linker, so my links may not work.