My kitten is exactly 1 week old. And she hasn't used "the restroom" since she was born. Is that unhealthy or normal? Please help!
2006-07-28 18:15:42 · 10 answers · asked by Bambi-Chan 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
It's normal.
They won't go on their own at first (for about 2-3 weeks) without the mother cat licking them in that area to "encourage" it. If the mother cat is not around to take care of them, you can use something like a luke-warm wash cloth to try to stimulate it. But don't be too forceful.
Once they start going on their own on some newspaper, take some of it and put it in the litterbox. This will help them identify their smell with where it belongs - in the litterbox.
2006-07-28 18:22:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is the kitten getting the proper nourishmane from it's mother? If not, this could pose a problem. Do you think she could be using the bathroom elsewhere? You might want to check under beds and in good hiding places where kittens like to go. If this persists, please get the kittne to the vet as soon as possible. Did you know that all kittens are born with worms? The kittens need ot be dewormed immediatly. This too could have something to do with it. I hoe the kitten will be okay. As a cat lover, I know how it feels to worry about your pet. Good luck.
2006-07-29 01:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does your little kitten appear normal in other ways? As suggested earlier it might need encouragement with a warm washcloth - acts like the mother's tongue.
If the mother isn't taking good care of it, or is absent, it would be a really good idea to take it to the vet to check it over. The vet would also have proper food and equipment.
Let us know how it turns out. I hope the kitten does well.
2006-07-29 01:24:51 · answer #3 · answered by jdshep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am assuming that she has a momma? Cause she won't use the litter box the mom is stimulating her to go potty by licking her stuff and then cleaning it up. She will start to use the box around 6-8 weeks when the mom shows her.
If you only have the kitten and no momma then you have to do her job and stimulate her with a wet washcloth otherwise she will get backed up and could die. You will need to do this quite often cause lil things poo and pee alot.
2006-07-29 01:22:13 · answer #4 · answered by gnomes31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They won't use the litterbox til they are a little older. 1 Wk. old? It can't hardly get across the room. It's not unhealthy because the mother cat cleans them and you just have to change their bedding also. I hope the mother cat is still with it.
2006-07-29 01:19:34 · answer #5 · answered by allyson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is NOT NORMAL and certainly not healthy! Dogs and cats can not urinate or defecate by themselves as newborns! The mother will lick the genitals and rectum of a newborn to relieve them. If the mother is not present or if she is one that wants nothing to do with her offspring, then you need to help them to relieve themselves yourself. This is done by taking a most soft cloth or tissue and gently rubbing it on her genitals and rectum, problems solved.
2006-07-29 01:27:43 · answer #6 · answered by royalcare2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you feeding her food made for kittens? If you are, then I would take her to the vet. She may have problems with her digestion.
2006-07-29 01:18:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First answer you got is right on. Mommy cats lick their kittens' butts to encourage them to go, so you have to be the mommy for her.
2006-07-29 01:19:26 · answer #8 · answered by surlygurl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to take a wet washcloth and rub her butt to make her go. Seriously, I used to re habitate animals. Warm wet washcloth.
2006-07-29 01:18:11 · answer #9 · answered by The Nag 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the vet
2006-07-29 01:19:34 · answer #10 · answered by kitkat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋