How to Make a Kitten Poop: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

This article was co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM. Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences.

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Young kittens (from a day to around three weeks of age) require a lots of attention and nurturing. Kittens that have been abandoned by their mothers are quite helpless and cannot fend for themselves. They can’t even excrete feces or urine without their mother’s encouragement. If you rescue kittens that are under three weeks old, you will need to know how to encourage a baby kitten to poop. Kittens under three weeks old need stimulation after each feeding to help them poop. Keep reading to learn how to make a kitten poop.

Steps

Using Massage to Make a Kitten Poop

1. 1Position the kitten for stimulation. After your kitten has been feed, hold the kitten so that your non-dominant hand is under its belly and its rear is facing you. Your grip needs to be gentle, but firm enough so that the kitten can’t escape from your hand. Make sure that you stimulate the kitten in a warm room. Young kittens can become seriously ill or even die if they get chilled.
2. 2Spread a warm wet wash-cloth over your dominant hand. You will be using this washcloth to stimulate the kitten’s abdomen and anal region so that the kitten can poop. Mother cats give their babies a thorough tongue bath after each feeding, but a warm moistened washcloth can stand in for the mother cat’s tongue. A light-colored cloth is preferable, so that you can also see whether the kitten has urinated or not.
   • Use a washcloth that can be designated for pet purposes only. Do not use a washcloth that you use in the kitchen or for washing your face.
   • You can also use warm water moistened cotton balls or gauze to help a kitten poop.[1] X Research source [2] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source

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3. 3Move your washcloth covered hand towards the kittens bottom.[3] X Expert SourceNatalie Punt, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 19 August 2021. Using your thumb and fingers, gently massage the kitten’s anal region through the cloth. Your thumb should be doing most of the work, acting like the mother cat’s tongue when she licks her kittens’ bottoms to make them go.[4] X Research source
4. 4Check now and then to see if the kitten has pooped or peed. If not, keep massaging the anal area. When the kitten starts to urinate, you will feel some added warmth to the hand that is massaging the kitten’s bottom. Keep massaging until the flow of urine stops, then check to see if the kitten is about to poop.
   • This process should not take more than about 60 seconds. If your kitten is not pooping or peeing after feedings, then you should contact a veterinarian.
5. 5Adjust the washcloth on your hand so that a clean spot is over your thumb. Continue massaging and readjust the cloth as needed. Move the cloth now and then so that the feces does not get the kitten dirty. If you are using cotton balls or gauze, dispose of soiled materials and continue massaging with clean ones.
   • Keep in mind that it is normal for a kitten’s feces to be soft as long as they are drinking formula. Completely solid feces will not form until the kitten switches to solid food.[5] X Research source

Cleaning Up

1. 1Clean and dry off the kitten’s bottom when it has finished pooping. After the kitten has finished defecating, give its bottom a good wipe to make sure it is clean. Then using a dry towel or another dry washcloth, dry the kitten’s bottom as much as possible. Making sure that the kitten’s bottom is clean and dry will help prevent rash or infections.
2. 2Return the kitten to its holding area. Place the kitten back with his/her litter-mates in the box or cage where you are keeping them/him/her. Repeat the anal massage process with each kitten you are caring for. Make sure that you use a fresh cloth for each kitten.
3. 3Clean up your materials. If you used cotton balls or gauze, simply throw them away. If you used washcloths, wash them thoroughly afterwards. Your best option is to wash them in a washing machine on hot with detergent and bleach.
   • Do NOT keep the washcloths in their dirty state for the next time you need to make a kitten poop. Reusing dirty cloths may give your kitten an infection, which could pose a serious hazard to their health.
4. 4Wash your hands thoroughly after massaging a kitten’s anal area. Even though you are placing a washcloth between your hand and your kitten’s anus, that does not mean that urine and feces won’t get on your hands. Make sure that you wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water after you finish making a kitten poop.

Expert Q&A

• QuestionWhat is a natural laxative for a kitten?Natalie Punt, DVMDr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences.
  VeterinarianVeterinarianExpert AnswerA massage may help! Dip a washcloth or paper towel in warm water and gently rub around the kitten’s anus—this could get it to poop.
• QuestionWhat food is best for a constipated cat?Natalie Punt, DVMDr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences.
  VeterinarianVeterinarianExpert AnswerGive your kitty plenty of liquids and water, which can help loosen things up.
• QuestionMy new kitten is about three weeks old and I’ve had her for three days. She pees after every feed but never poops. What should I do?Pippa Elliott, MRCVSDr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
  VeterinarianVeterinarianExpert AnswerIf she is feeding well and seems playful, then there’s probably nothing too much to worry about. If for any reason she had skipped meals before you got her, then her digestive system might be a bit empty, and it can take two to three days for her to need to go. Keep trying to get her to go, try a firm massage over her anus with a cloth. Of course if you become concerned, then it’s essential she’s sees a vet.

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Tips

• Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian within 24 hours of getting a new kitten. It is important to have a kitten checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible to make sure it is healthy and get any vaccines or medicines that your kitten needs to get healthy. The veterinarian can also answer questions that you have about caring for your new kitten, including how to encourage your kitten to poop.[6] X Research source⧼thumbs_response⧽
• Kittens that are about 4 weeks old can be introduced to the litter box. Place your kitten in the litter box after feedings to help them understand what they are supposed to do.[7] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source⧼thumbs_response⧽
• Perform the anal area massage on your kitten after every feeding, which will be once every 2 to 3 hours, 24/7 until your kitten is around 3 weeks of age. Some kittens may squawk and complain as you do this, but don’t give in to their complaints because this needs to be done.⧼thumbs_response⧽

Warnings

• Do not hold on too tightly, otherwise you will crush it, causing internal injuries and even death. Gentle but firm hands are a must when handling baby kittens!!⧼thumbs_response⧽
• Do not hold the kitten too lightly when you perform the massage either. If you drop the kitten, you may cause serious injuries to it. Your grip needs to be firm enough so that it cannot escape, no matter how crafty the kitten gets!⧼thumbs_response⧽
• Do not be rough or harsh with a kitten. After all, they are babies, and need to be handled with gentleness and kindness. Any harshness or too rough a massage can break bones or worse.⧼thumbs_response⧽

References

1. ↑ http://www.alleycat.org/neonatal
2. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/newborn-kitten-care
3. ↑ Natalie Punt, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.
4. ↑ http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/newborn-kitten-care?page=2#4
5. ↑ http://www.alleycat.org/neonatal
6. ↑ http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/what-can-go-wrong-with-my-kitten
7. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/newborn-kitten-care

About This Article

To make a kitten poop, start by holding it in your non-dominant hand so its rear is facing you. Then, take a warm, damp washcloth and drape it over your dominant hand. When you’re ready, gently massage the kitten’s anal area with the washcloth to encourage it to go to the bathroom. Keep massaging until the kitten poops and pees, which shouldn’t take longer than 60 seconds. If the kitten isn’t eliminating after eating, it’s important that you contact a vet in case something is wrong. To learn how to clean up after making a kitten poop, scroll down!

Reader Success Stories

• “Someone dumped kittens in our dumpster last year – this article saved their lives! When I retrieved them, I didn’t know stimulating them was necessary. Had to rescue new kittens elsewhere twice since, referencing this great article with pictures. Thank you!”…” more