© squirrelrehabilitation.com, 2011 The Basics Stimulating Baby squirrels MUST have their genitalia stimulated so that they can eliminate.  They cannot do this sufficiently on their own.  In the wild, the mother will lick their genitalia to get them to eliminate.  You will need to mimic this sensation as closely as possible using a tissue, cotton ball, or finger lubricated with petroleum jelly.  Some rehabilitators believe it is best to stimulate before a feeding, some after, and some both before and after.  Stimulation takes several minutes to be adequately done, not just a few seconds.  Often stimulation will take longer than the actual feeding, but it is vitally important that it be done and the baby void itself completely.  Please watch the video on stimulation at this link.  It’s not exciting, but it contains information on not only stimulation but things to look for regarding the baby’s health. Below are pictures of stool and what you can expect.  The last set shows stool that is getting soft, indicating a need to increase the time between feedings. For few feedings and stimulations, a newly found baby’s stool with be greenish brown to black and quite mucousy, as it is eliminating the residue of mother’s milk. 12 hours after the introduction of formula, the stool will turn lighter in color, and evidence of pellets forming can be seen.  The stool will still be quite mucousy. Twenty-four hours after the introduction of formula, the stool will be a golden yellow and the formation of individual pellets will be quite clear. Thirty-six hours after the introduction of formula, the pellets should be distinct and separate, although they will be attached by a thin string of mucous.  Pellets should remain as such until the baby begins to take solid foods, at which time the pellets will darken.  The pellets should be firm (not hard) and a golden yellow. In the pictures below, the pellets are becoming less distinct, the amount of stool more voluminous, and the stool soft.  This is a sign of overfeeding and the need to increase the time between feedings.