Ways To Prevent Constipation In Kittens
If your kitten has been weaned on to solid foods, you can add some more fiber into their diet to help with mild constipation. I covered in detail how the right type of pumpkin can help with constipation, as well as olive oil as a home remedy for constipation in cats.
If dehydration is an issue, there are a couple of things you can do. One is to add a little water to your kittens dry kibble. Another is to experiment with positioning and types of water bowls to see what they prefer.
A lot of cats prefer the sound and feel of moving water. You might have to invest in a cat water fountain, but these are awesome. I have one myself and its clearly obvious that cats like drinking from fountains.
Regarding parasites and worms, the best course of action here is to follow the advice of your vet. They will be able to determine the exact cause and best course of action.
Add More Litter Boxes
Cats can be quite particular about their litter boxes. If they dont like the location of a litter box or even the type of box or litter, they may not use it as much, which can lead to constipation. You should have at least one more litter box than you have cats, and there should be at least one litter box on every floor of your home. You may need to experiment with different types of boxes and litter to find what your cat likes.
How To Stimulate A Kitten To Go To The Bathroom
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Its hard to imagine that the call of nature doesnt come naturally for some species.
In humans, when the urge to go comes, you simply go. Even a newborn baby can interpret the signals of going to the bathroom and will do the needful. You dont need to push the little one to poo or pee.
Sadly, the story is not the same for our little feline friends.
Anyone that has adopted a kitty less than one month old knows they dont eliminate on their own.
If mommy is around, she is responsible for getting her babies to go. She does that by licking her kittens anuses to stimulate elimination.
If a mother cat is nowhere to be seen, you should take up the mantle.
Since you cannot mimic mommys action , what can you do instead?
We have the entire scoop for you in this guide.
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How To Make A Kitten Poop
This article was co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM. Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 82% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 790,764 times.
Young kittens require a lots of attention and nurturing. Kittens that have been abandoned by their mothers are quite helpless and cannot fend for themselves. They can’t even excrete feces or urine without their mother’s encouragement. If you rescue kittens that are under three weeks old, you will need to know how to encourage a baby kitten to poop. Kittens under three weeks old need stimulation after each feeding to help them poop. Keep reading to learn how to make a kitten poop.
Caring For Orphaned Kittens
Found a Litter of Kittens Outside?HERE
Getting Started
- A caretaker who can support them around the clock, day and night
- Kitten Milk Replacer , Breeders Edge
- Bottle, eye dropper, syringe
Creating A Warm, Quiet Environment Feeding Requirements
- Kittens 2 weeks old and younger, feed every 2 hours
- Kittens 3 weeks old, feed every 3 hours
- Kittens 4 weeks old, feed every 4 hours
- Kittens 5 weeks old, feed every 5-6 hours and begin to wean
Bathroom Requirements Litter Box TrainingProper HygieneStick to a Schedule
Weaning Kittens Off of Bottle FeedingVeterinary CareConstipation and DiarrheaDehydrationFading Kitten Syndrome
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Make Their Litter Box Area More Inviting
Within minutes of bringing a cuddly kitten home from the store or shelter, youll notice somethingcats are very particular. From toys to food, part of learning how to raise a kitten is to understand that felines can be fussy about every aspect of their life. And that includes the cat’s litter box.
When your cat wont poop , sometimes all they need is a comfortable litter box experience. Were not saying to add scented candles and some mood lighting , but when you choose the location of your kittens litter box, think about how sensitive they are to sound and movement.
As natural-born hunters, felines are on high alert 24/7. By giving your cat a safe, secluded place to do their business, you increase the chance of having poop to clean up later. That may not sound like a win, but in this case, it is.
Placing several litter boxes throughout the house, using a super-absorbent kitty litter to reduce odor, or changing your kittens box can also make them more likely to go.
Why Do Kittens Need Help Pooping
©ANURAK PONGPATIMET/Shutterstock.com
Kittens cant excrete fecal waste on their own, especially the ones under three weeks old. They require the help of their mother cats who typically groom and lick their babies to stimulate the ejection of fecal matter. This process is known as anogenital grooming, and once the mother succeeds in getting the baby to poop, they would often consume the poop in an effort to keep the environment around their kittens clean. Pretty sweet, huh?
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How To Make A Constipated Kitten Poop
Constipation in kittens is a serious issue. Apart from being incredibly uncomfortable, it can indicate a serious issue within the cats body. This includes a blockage of sorts within the cats system, dehydration, heavy parasitic presence, and diseases.
You can help your kitten to poop by doing what a mother cat often does to her young kittens.
Grab a soft cloth or a cotton ball and dip in warm water.
Do this a few times until the kitty excretesfirst, she will urinate then she will poop.
If nothing happens after a few trials, discontinue and get the kitty to the vet.
If you keep going, you risk rupturing the kittens skin thus creating more problems.
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Kitten Constipation: Causes Symptoms And Treatment
The Spruce / Adriana Sanchez
If your kitten is litter trained, you may not even notice that it’s constipated until you realize you haven’t seen any feces for a few days. Kittens who cannot defecate are not only uncomfortable but are also at risk for serious problems if left untreated.
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What If Youre Having Trouble Teaching Your Kitten How To Poop In The Litter Box
For litter box issues that dont go away with some quick tweaks, there could be bigger issues at hand. Litter box issues are often caused by stress or they can be a symptom of underlying medical issues. Get your cat a complete examination if these problems persist. If the kitty is deemed physically fit, then enlisting the help of a cat behaviorist is next.
Knowing how to make a kitten poop and properly introducing him to the litter box are crucial components to creating a healthy, well-adjusted adult cat.
Tell us: Any tips on how to make a kitten poop? Add them here!
Minimize Stress And Anxiety
Cats can easily become stressed when their routines are disrupted. There could be a more obvious cause, like having a new pet in the house or moving, or it could be less obvious, like a change in your schedule, construction noise nearby, or a new dog barking in the neighborhood.
Sometimes it just takes time for a cat to adjust to changes. But you can help reduce stress and anxiety by using things like calming pheromones , supplements , herbs, and/or medications.
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How To Make Kittens Poop
It goes without saying that if the mama cat is not around, the pet owner would have to step up and take its place. And no, it doesnt have to get as gross as licking the kitten and eating their feces. Below are some tips on how to make your kitten poop:
The first thing you need to get right in stimulating your kitten to poop is getting them in the right position for effectiveness. Once your kitten has been properly fed, hold it in a way that keeps your non-dominant hand under its belly and its hindquarters facing you. Your grasp has to be gentle so that the kitten feels comfortable and wont escape your hand at that particular point in time. Also, experts advise doing this in a warm room as kittens are very averse to excess cold and they may fall sick or even die, in some cases.
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Remember, the goal is to get your kitten to poop so you are not just massaging them for fun. As you rub and stimulate, make sure to check periodically to see if the kitten has pooped or peed. Once the kitten starts peeing, youll feel some extra warmth in your dominant hand. Just keep it right there until the flow stops then wait a bit more for poop. If the poop somehow refuses to show, it could be a symptom of an illness and you might want to see a vet as soon as you can.
When To See A Veterinarian
Mild constipation lasting up to 36 hours can often be resolved at home. However, if its been two or three days since your kitten last had a bowel movement, its probably time for a visit to the clinic or animal hospital.
Finally, remember that newborn kittens need stimulation to excrete feces. In the first few weeks of a kittens life, the mama cat encourages urination and defecation herself. A visit to the vet is only necessary if you cant make your newborn kitten poop after stimulation.
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How Can I Make A Kitten Poop
If you notice that your kitten is constipated or is unable to poop. Contact your vet immediately to rule out any medical issues. You can also help relieve your young one by using a warm washcloth or cotton ball and gently rubbing around your kittens genitals, abdomen, and bottom. You can gently work the washcloth/cotton ball in small circles, to help relax and stimulate them to poop. Continue for several minutes, continuing to massage gently in circles until your cat defecates. If there is a success, clean up afterward with a clean washcloth and warm water. You may have to do this after each feeding until the kitten can defecate on its own.
What Is Normal Poop For A Kitten
You can tell a lot about your kittens health by the color and consistency of her poop.
Normal kitten stool consistency is firm. It should look like mashed potatoes. When you scoop it up, it shouldnt break apart.
Hard and dry stools may signify dehydration while too soft and runny may indicate a parasitic infection.
On the other hand, the color of the stool should be medium-brown or mustard yellow.
Gray indicates overeating while red and green may show symptoms of diseases and/or infection.
Also note that as the kitten grows, her stools will go from light brown to dark brown.
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Vet Treatment For Constipation In Cats
Constipation is common in cats but can indicate serious disease, so it should be discussed with your vet.
Constipation must be treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of permanent damage due to prolonged distension of the colon. Effective treatment involves identifying and correcting the underlying disorder , removing the impacted feces, and preventing recurrences.
For immediate relief of constipation, your veterinarian can give your cat fluids and/or an enema. Administering an enema to a cat is a veterinary job and should not be attempted at home, says Dr. Bales. Some types of enemas designed for people are actually very toxic to cats.
Vets can also prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter solutions to help you manage the symptoms of your cats constipation.
More importantly, your vet can help identify the underlying issue thats causing the constipation so it can be treated, rather than just trying to manage the symptoms.
Some cats with long-term constipation or obstipation may have megacolon, an enlarged intestine caused by a defect in the muscle strength of the colon. Cats with chronic constipation or megacolon that have been unresponsive to medical treatment may respond to removal of the affected section of the large intestine.
Heres a list of things you can do at home to help relieve your cats constipation.
What Happens If The Cat Doesnt Eliminate
Arnold Plotnick, DVM, calls kittens little eating and pooping machines. According to him, the little guys eliminate several times a day.
Hannah Shaw of Kittenlady.org echoes the same by stating that kittens defecate 1-6 times a day.
If your kitty goes for 24 hours without passing stool, dont worry. If shes eating normally and doesnt have any symptoms of being sick, dont panic.
In light of this, dont expect results every time you stimulate your kitty to use the bathroom. Perhaps the kitty is not ready to pass stool yet.
If you massage for a minute and nothing comes out, put down your tools and try again later.
Having said that, you should watch out for any tell-tale signs that your kitty isnt okay.
If she has gone for more than two days without pooping, she probably needs medical attention. This is especially true if the kitty has signs of constipation such as straining, bloating, lethargy, and distension.
The same is true if she has abnormally colored or runny stools. Diarrhea causes loss of water in the body and can prove fatal very fast.
Because of their small sizes, kittens are prone to dehydration. As they grow, the risk from occasional diarrhea reduces.
If the watery stools linger, let your vet know and see if they can administer IV fluids.
As far as peeing is concerned, your kitten should urinate after every feeding.
The frequency is typically affected by the diet, water intake, humidity, and ambient temperature.
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Nesting Box / Carrier
A Nesting Box is usually sufficient with the addition of a Snuggle Safe for warmth, and clean, soft bedding. This box needs to be kept clean and dry. Kittens need a tremendous amount of sleep to grow and develop. The nesting box does not have to be elaborate, and using a cardboard box or cat carrier will work just fine.
Warmth is going to be especially vital in the first two weeks of a kittens life, as they are not able to shiver, and you may not be able to tell if they are cold. The Snuggle Safe included in your kit is very easy to use and will stay warm for up to 10 hours. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for heating . Be sure to place it to one side of the nesting box so that the kitten can move to a cooler side of box if they get too warm.
The nesting box needs to be in a quiet, private, draft-free location. Be sure that the kittens cannot get stuck under pads or bedding in the sides or corners of the box, or that they cannot climb under the layers of towels and get directly onto the heat source.
How To Stimulate A Kitten To Poop
As I mentioned earlier, the mother cat should be taking care of her kittens and stimulating them to poop after each meal.
If for any reason, however, the mother is not able to do this you can do it.
You can read a step-by-step process of how to use the Triangle Method to stimulate a kitten to poop here.
Take a warm washcloth and gently rub it on the kittens bottom, mimicking the motion and feeling they would get from their mothers tongue.
Dont overdo it if they dont poop. Just rub it gently for a couple of minutes and keep an eye on them for any signs of discomfort.
A kitten will defecate after most, if not every meal. If you think a kitten has not had a bowel movement for 24 hours I recommend taking them to a vet as soon as possible for a checkup.
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