Expert: Becky - 9/23/2004

Question
My Father found two newborn kittens in a chemical plant he was working at after some other workers chased out the mother cat.  She never came back so my father took the kittens and I'm stuck taking care of them.  They are approx.  1 1/2 to 2 weeks old. Their eyes are open and they can crawl but their teeth aren't coming in yet. Are they around that age? I have baby formula, a bottle, blankets etc.  My question is is that the one won't deficate, he urinates though.  I've had him for almost three days and I need him to go. Anything I can do to help him? I don't want to have to send him to the SPCA quite yet but if I have to I will.  The other kitten goes to the bathroom.  

Answer
Hi Amy,

I think it's great that you are taking care of these kittens! It's pretty smart of you to know that they must deficate.  The mother cat stimulates this by licking their genitals.  You can copy this by rubbing a warm wash cloth on his gentials.  This will stimulate him to deficate and urinate too.  Sounds like you're being a great surrogate mom.  Try to find homes for them before giving them to the SPCA.
God Bless,
Becky