For very young nursing mammals with eyes closed, what is recommended to help urination and defecation?

• A. Do not intervene and wait for natural cues.
• B. Stimulate with a warm damp cotton ball, wear gloves.
• C. Massage the abdomen with dry hands.
• D. Only feed with no movement and ignore elimination.

Answer: (B)

Neonatal nursing mammals can’t coordinate urination and defecation on their own, so a caregiver must provide gentle stimulation to trigger elimination. Using a warm, damp cotton ball to rub the perineal area mimics the mother’s licking and supplies both warmth and moisture that help relax the muscles and stimulate the reflexes needed to pee and poop. Wearing gloves keeps the experience hygienic for you and the animal. Massaging the abdomen with dry hands doesn’t provide the necessary moisture or stimulus and is unlikely to prompt elimination. Ignoring elimination can lead to waste buildup and complications, so stimulation is done after each feeding until the animal starts eliminating independently. Use a warm, not hot, damp cotton ball and dispose of used material after each session.