How to Stimulate Kittens to Go to the Toilet

Newborn kittens (from one day to about three weeks old) require thorough care and nurturing. Kittens abandoned by their mother are often helpless and unable to protect themselves. They cannot even excrete feces or urine without the stimulation of the mother cat. If you’re adopting a three-week-old kitten, you need to know how to potty train them. Kittens under three weeks of age need stimulation after each feeding so they can excrete waste. ^{[1] X Research Source} You can refer to the article below to learn how to potty train a kitten.

Table of Contents

Use the Massage Method to Stimulate Kittens to Go to the Toilet

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Stabilize the kitten to conduct stimulation. After feeding, use your non-dominant hand to hold your abdomen and flanks facing you. You need to hold the cat gently, but firmly so that the kitten cannot escape from the hand. You should conduct stimulation of kittens in a warm room. Newborn cats can get very sick or even die if their bodies get cold. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Spread a damp cloth over your dominant hand. You will use this washcloth to stimulate the kitten’s abdomen and anus to excrete waste. The mother cat washes the kittens thoroughly after each feeding, but a damp cloth can take the place of the mother’s tongue. You should use a light-colored towel to know if the kitten has gone to the toilet or not. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Use pet towels. Do not use kitchen towels or washcloths.
You can also use warm water-soaked cotton balls or gauze to help your kitten go to the toilet ^{[4] X Research Sources}^{[5] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to Source}

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Move the towel to the bottom of the kitten. Using your thumbs and fingers, gently massage their anal area with the towel. Your thumb has many functions, acting like a mother cat’s tongue when licking her genitals so that the kittens excrete feces and urine. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Check regularly to see if the kitten has gone to the toilet. If not, you need to continue massaging the anal area. As the kitten begins to pee, you will notice that the hand that is massaging the kitten’s bottom warms up. Continue massaging until they stop urinating, then check to see if the kitten is excreting stools.

This process should not take more than 60 seconds. If the kittens don’t go to the bathroom after feeding, then you should take them to the vet. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Adjust the towel so that the clean part rests on the thumb. Continue massaging and re-adjust the towel as needed. Move the towel constantly so that the stool does not contaminate the kitten. If you are using cotton or gauze, you need to throw it away and continue massaging with a new cotton swab.

Keep in mind that kitten poop is usually liquid because they are drinking formula. The poop will turn solid until the kitten transitions to solid food. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Clean up

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Clean and dry the genitals after the kitten is done using the toilet. After the kittens excrete waste, you should wipe them thoroughly so that their bottoms are clean. Then, use a dry towel to wipe the genitals several times. Make sure the kitten’s bottom is clean and dry to prevent rashes or infection.

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Put the kittens back in their place. You can take your cat to a crate or cage where they rest. Repeat the anal massage with each kitten you are nursing. Each cat should use a clean towel that is not shared with other cats.

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Clean used tools. If using cotton or gauze, simply throw it in the trash. If you use a towel, you need to wash it thoroughly. You should wash it in a washing machine using detergent.

DO NOT use a dirty towel to stimulate the kitten to go to the toilet. Reusing a dirty towel can contaminate your cat, putting her health at risk.

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Wash your hands thoroughly after massaging the kitten’s anal area. Even though you use a towel to separate your hands from their waste, that doesn’t mean urine and feces won’t get into your hands. So you should wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water after stimulating the kitten to go to the toilet.

Advice

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian within 24 hours of adopting the kitten. It’s important that kittens get checked out as soon as possible to make sure they’re healthy and get the vaccines or medications they need to stay healthy. Your veterinarian can also answer questions about caring for newly adopted kittens, including how to stimulate them to defecate. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Massage the kitten’s anal area after each feeding, every 2-3 hours, 24/7 until the kitten is about 3 weeks old. Some kittens may squeal and get upset when you do this, but don’t give in to them as this step is quite necessary.
Kittens around 4 weeks old can learn to use the litter box. Place kittens in a tray after feeding to help them learn to potty train in the right place. ^{[10] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}
You should use towels that are white, beige or pink. This towel has a medium rough texture (absorbent fabric), not smooth, because the material needs to mimic the mother cat’s tongue when licking the kittens.

Warning

Do not be rough or harsh with kittens. After all, they are just small animals, and need to be cherished and treated with kindness. Vigorous massaging can break your cat’s bones or make the problem worse.
Do not grip the kitten too tightly, or you will crush it, causing internal injuries and even death. Your hands need to be relaxed but firm while holding the kitten in the palm of your hand!!
Do not let your hands go too loose while massaging the kitten. If you let the kittens loose, you could seriously injure them. The fingers need to be tight enough that the kittens won’t jump out, no matter how clever they are!

Steps

Use the Massage Method to Stimulate Kittens to Go to the Toilet

Clean up

Advice

Warning

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