my kitten needs help!?

Question

what do i do when my kitten is constipated?

Answer 1

TAKE HIM TO THE VET

Answer 2

It's very hard to give a correct diagnosis on your poor kitten with so little information to go on. There are so many reasons he could be constipated but a lot of treatments for one cause can actually aggravate another.

Considering your kitten might just be constipated for the sake of being constipated, I'd suggest offering him wet (canned) kitten food. Wet canned foods are 70% water so this will help him "clear up".

If he doesn't have a bowel movement within 3 days, he's in need of veterinary care. Though the cause could be minor, anything from a change of diet to even worms, it's possible he has some kind of intestinal blockage which, without treatment, could kill him quickly.

Good luck!

Answer 3

This sounds very gross, but if your kitten is very young and has never gone the bathroom:

"It is necessary to stimulate kittens of less than two weeks old to urinate and defecate. The voiding reflex is normally initiated by the queen licking the kitten's ano-genital region. Where the queen is not available, urination and defaecation must be maintained by the carer for approximately four weeks or until the kitten is independent. It is quite normal for a distressed cry to be heard prior to defaecation, on evacuation the cry should cease. It may be useful to use fragrance-free wet wipes for new-born babies and soft tissue. Stimulate the ano-genital area gently both pre- and post-feeding, as they feed better with empty bladder/bowels. "

If it has, the constipation could be due to dry food too early, it has not been drinking enough water, or illness.

Answer 4

First, make sure he's properly hydrated. Kittens have a higher turnover of fluid than adults, and less ability to prevent fluid loss. This is more of a problem in hot weather. Forcing the kitten to wean too early and giving it food without enough moisture content can also cause this problem. When the kitten starts to get dehydrated, it will resorb water from the large intestine, producing harder and drier stools.

In the short run, the kitten may need some stimulation with a damp cotton ball, and possibly manual assistance as well. Then make sure it gets enough formula and/or moist food to stay well hydrated. If it's unusually hot, you may need to dilute the formula or mix water into the food to ensure it gets enough. Kittens can get heatstroke too!

Answer 5

You dont always have to take them to the vet right away, if you call a local vet or a vet you normally use, they can usually give you advice on how to help the kitten before taking it in. When our dog had the runs, they wanted us to give her some pepto-bismo before bringing her in. It really helped her and saved us a lot of money. She got better in a few hours, and there was no vet visit.

Answer 6

make sure the kitten is really constipated...I just lost my cat due to a urinary tract blockage...I was wrong thinking the cat was straining to have a bowl movement...his urethra was blocked and he couldn't urinate (or very little) - I swear I thought he was constipated...please check this out and make sure that is the problem...I don't want you to lose your pet, too.

Answer 7

1/2 tsp mineral oil - but take him to the vet! Could have a blockage, a few days with out a bowel movement could be serious

Answer 8

Try a few drops of paraffine oil directly in the mouth. However a good diet shouldn't cause such a problem. I would go to the vet.

Answer 9

You can get a laxative from your vet that you comes in a tube and you put it on your finger and the put it on their mouth and they will start licking it. You can also just use butter or margarine.

Answer 10

Take him to your vet dear. This is your baby and he needs help.

Answer 11

take it to the vet... you can buy cat laxitives like catlax but really if your not experienced take it to the vet!