Expert: Jessica - 8/2/2011

Question
hi i got a new kitten today, he is weaned and eats scraps of food and drinks water. But sometimes he lays down flat on the floor on all four legs and closes his eyes a little and breathes heavily or it seems he might be straining. What is the matter with him? Is this normal cat behaviour? Is he constipated? he defecated a little on the bed but he hasn't urinated yet (it's been three hours since i got him).

Answer
Hi Rahul,

I'm not sure if you know what purring is. This is a normal noise that most cats make at times when they are happy. Cats will often do this when resting comfortably. It sounds like a soft rumbling and can be felt if you put your hand on the cat's ribs. You can usually see a cat's sides inhaling and exhaling as he purrs, as well. Purring is believed to be created by a pulsation of the vocal cords.

However, if you're sure he's not purring, any signs of breathing trouble should surely be investigated by a veterinarian. He may have a condition that needs to be treated. This can range widely from an upper respiratory infection to pneumonia to something that has caused fluid to accumulate in the abdominal or chest cavity. Constipation could be an issue, especially if the feces he did pass seemed hard and dry.

As far as urination, he may be holding his bladder due to his new surroundings for a while, but he should urinate within the first 24 hours for sure. Bladder blockages in kittens are extremely uncommon, but they can occur, and they can be deadly in under 48 hours. So again, if he doesn't urinate today, he should see a vet.

Good luck!

Jessica