We have a kitten that we are bottle feeding and he seems to be constipated...he is not quite 4 weeks so not sure what to give him that will make him go.
2007-05-16 08:00:41 · 13 answers · asked by Hoppity-ES 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Ironically enough I just had this same problem with my kitten. I rescued him from the roadside, he was in very poor health, malnourished and had pneumonia. The vet said he was about 6 weeks old. He started eating well but wasn't using the bathroom on his own. The first couple days I had to manually stimulate him as some of the other answers talk about. My vet recommended putting a couple of drops of mineral oil in his bottle. That seemed to work, after about 3 feedings using this method he was going on his own. I only used the oil for about 4 days & he's fine now. Good luck.
2007-05-16 09:37:39 · answer #1 · answered by Kel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't mention if you are feeding the kitten a homemade solution or using a kitten formula like KMR. I'd recommend KMR which is expensive, but since the kitten is four weeks old, you won't need that much of it because that is the age when you can attempt to introduce kitten food, preferably canned with a bit of KMR mixed in it to thin it out some unless the kitten takes to the food as is.
I agree with Danl about your kitten possibly needing some stimulation and you can do that with a cotton ball dampened with slightly warm water. Massage the anal area gently as this simulates the mother cleaning the kitten there. The mother does this since kittens take awhile before they are able to go on their own. Yours is close in age to do that by itself, too, but perhaps not quite ready, especially since you are estimating age.
When a kitten bites a nipple and gets irritated, usually this is a sign it is ready to start weaning, but again that is a gradual process you shouldn't rush.
If you are using something other than kitten formula, what you are feeding the kitten may be causing the constipation if it is not the needed stimulation.
You can also use a dampened slightly warm cotton ball where the kitten goes pee and massage that area gently because it may need some help to pee.
If this does not resolve the problem, I am glad you will be taking the kitten to a Vet.
GL
2007-05-16 08:33:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How long has he been eating puppy food. Puppy's should be started on baby cereal with diluted can milk or goats milk between 3-4 weeks. Then slowly introduced to soft puppy food at around 5 weeks. He should still be nursing up to six weeks. He can also now have cottage cheese and a little yogurt. His system is not ready to handle a complete diet yet of puppy food, this most likely is his problem. You need to get him to a vet because this can quickly become a serious problem. On second thought ..this is most likely already a serious problem..you need to get him to a vet. He should still be nursing on a regular basis..get him off all food until he's seen by a vet and tell the vet what he's been eating.
2016-03-19 00:06:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best Constipation Cures
2016-05-21 01:01:00 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I have (4) 4 week old kittens and had the same problem. If you can't get it to go poop by using a warm wash cloth on it's little bottom, try rubbing it's tummy too. I called my vet and he told me to start my kittens on baby food mixed with the KMR formula. I bought beechnut chicken flavored baby food and the kittens loved it, and It didn't take them long to go poop after eating. I fed them the baby food for a few days, and then went and bought Science Diet canned kitten food and mixed that with formula. Also you can start giving your kitten, kitten chow and mixed it with formula to soften it so they can eat. Hope this helps. Remember that if none of this works please take your kitten to a vet...
2007-05-16 08:16:15 · answer #5 · answered by Atina2u 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kittens mothers wash them after eating - they lick their bellies & rear ends - this isn't all about cleaning, it also stimulates bowel movement. After feeding, rub its belly awhile, then take a soft cloth, moisten it with water or a gentle lubricant like olive oil or petroleum jelly & rub the anal area gently, simulating "mom cat" doing that. Also, be sure he's kept warm - they need to be warm to digest their. If still constipated, add a little dab of canned pumpkin for fiber to his formula.or a teeny bit of furball medication.
2007-05-16 08:14:07 · answer #6 · answered by j c 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may already be aware of this but I'll throw it out just in case. Young kittens depend on their mother to stimulate bowel movements. She does this though bathing. If you've already accounted for this then I hope someone else can help. If not, I think using a warm, moist cloth will do, but check with someone for details on the proper technique. Good luck.
2007-05-16 08:05:40 · answer #7 · answered by danl747 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Put a little bit of pumpkin in your kittens food. I have not had to try this but one of the people I volunteer with has and she said it works wonders.
2007-05-16 09:18:24 · answer #8 · answered by Jess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a laxitive called Lacatone for cats. It also gets rid of hairballs in cats. You can get it either through your vet or your local pet store. I used it and still use it for my cats. I would check with my vet first seeing as the cat is very young.
2007-05-16 11:00:13 · answer #9 · answered by London Catlover 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
PUMPKIN!!! Canned pumpkin. Cats seem to love it and it acts like a laxative for them. My cats were constipated for a while, and the pumpkin was suggested for me, and it worked within 2 days.
The only thing with this is that some cats will not like it.
Best wishes for the little guy
2007-05-16 08:05:07 · answer #10 · answered by Flash 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋