Bathroom Habits

[zombiepocalypse]

Hey all,

So I've had Colonel Mustard for about a week now and something has been bothering me. I made him a few of those hedgie sleep sacks out of fleece. He loves them, which is awesome. The problem is, he will be in there sleeping and not come out to go to the bathroom. He just poops and pees in there.. then continues right on sleeping. The only other place he goes to the bathroom is when he's on his wheel. Is he just lazy? Or is it because he's a baby? He's almost 3 months old. Is there any way I can get him to stop?

I think the breeder was using shavings as bedding for him before rather than fleece. I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

 

[smhufflepuff]

He's still young - he might grow out of it. It's also a new environment for him. So he's young AND adjusting at the same time. You can help him by moving the poops from his hedgiebag to wherever it is you want him to poop rather than disposing of them. Also, if you're playing with him and he begins to poop or pee, move him to the designated potty area to finish the job.

Hedgies are well known for pooping and peeing on their wheels. Just put something below the wheel (could put a litter box or extra fleece as a wheet-mat) to catch the run-off. He'll likely continuing doing this as an adult.

His age is most likely the reason he's pooping/peeing where he does. But I'll also mention that, for awhile, my Tex pooped in his bag. He did this because he was sick. At that time, his poops were not nice logs, they were more smeared and lighter in color. So, if your hedgie's poops do not look like rich brown logs, consider getting a sample and bringing it to the vet (bring him to the vet too).

 

[Nancy]

Being a baby and in a new home is most likely the reason he is doing it. He should get out of it as he gets comfortable in his new home and gets a bit older.

His poop might also be softer and mushier from the change in home but like smhufflepuff says, if it is an odd colour or smell or doesn't firm up in a day or two, he should see the vet for a fecal.

 

[zombiepocalypse]

Oh yeah, I'm not worried about the wheel. I knew that bit was normal. Forgot to say that though, haha.

I'll try moving his poop to another location and see what he does. I'm just worried that he really shouldn't be sleeping in it. It doesn't seem like it would be healthy for him, you know?

Hmm.. okay. His poop isn't solid, really.. it's a little squishy, I guess, but not runny. I'd also say it's a medium brown color. It's not dark, but it's not light. I'm guessing this is slightly abnormal? Could it be diet related? So far, he's only been eating Purina One Chicken and Rice. He's eating and drinking plenty though. I tried giving him some Sweet Potatoes baby food, but he didn't seem all that interested.