Raw cotton?

[Lake Gypsy]

Cotton is coming up and I was considering giving my babies some of the raw cotton to rip apart and use for bedding if they choose to. But I'm worried about the stands becoming entangled on little toes or paws, or possibly ingesting it and creating a linear foreign body.

I'm not determined to do this, so if anyone would advise against it that's fine. My daughter brought some in and wanted to know if it would be ok. Of course my mind went to all the possible negative effects!

Has anyone given their squirrels raw cotton and what was the outcome/experience? Am I just being paranoid worrying about them injuring themselves?

[CritterMom]

You are right to be concerned. It has been a LOOOOOONG time since I have seen raw cotton bolls but if there are strands and long tiny fibers, it can be a bad problem. We had a baby flying squirrel end up losing a hand this way a couple years ago.