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Cats/kitten pooping

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Expert: - 5/22/2009


Question
I have a kitten that is 1 week and 3 days old the mother died after giving birth. I have no problem getting the kitten to urinate but it is hard to get him to poop. I have tried rubbing him gently with a warm damp soft cloth plus a warm damp kleenex tissue. He only will poop maybe once a day if that.  He's getting to where he turns on his back and wants me to rub his belly, is this normal and what does it mean?  How can I get him to poop on a regularly basis? Please help!!! I'm getting worried, otherwise everything else is good.

Answer
Deb,

Congratulations on your tiny new arrival! It's not unusual to only have an orphaned kitten poop once a day, as long as that's happening he's doing okay. I usually recommend that folks raising orphaned kittens use an unscented, natural baby wipe to stimulate the kitten to urinate or defecate, it's effective and convenient - raising an orphan isn't easy so any time saver or convenience is useful in my experience.

The fact that your kitten is showing you his belly means that he trusts you and at his age he most likely wants to enjoy some extra pets, belly rubs and scratches. If you don't burp him after feedings he may be trying to tell you he has gas, but based on your description it sounds like he's bonding nicely and he's quite happy to get his cuddles and attention.

If you need any more information on caring for your little orphan or you want to know more about normal developmental milestones that you can expect to see I'm more than happy to address any concerns and answer any questions that you might have. In the case of hand raising a kitten from birth it can be tiring, but it's very rewarding - keep up the good work even though I'm sure you're probably starting to get pretty tired!

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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