|

How To Make A Constipated Kitten Poop

Knowing how to make a constipated kitten poop is a skill every pet owner should have. At some point, your young feline will find it hard to eliminate due to a variety of reasons. In this case, it will help a lot to increase the water intake of the kitten as well as its physical activities. Massaging the kitten’s belly gently will also help it poop. However, if you do not see any feces in the litter box, it’s best to bring the kitten to the vet.

What causes kitten constipation?

Kitten constipation can be a big problem, especially if your pet is younger than six months. All kittens need to defecate each day, and failure to do so must raise a concern.

How To Make A Constipated Kitten Poop

how to make a constipated kitten poop

Not pooping for a few days is a sign of constipation, which can be due to the following:

  • Stomach obstruction. As you know, kittens are adventurous beings. The little feline possibly ingested an object that caused an intestinal obstruction. It can be anything from ribbons, plastic, hair ties, floss, and so on. When these items get stuck in your kitten’s tummy, they will find it difficult to pass food and stool, thus constipation.
  • Hairballs. Hairballs are one of the notorious obstruction that will cause constipation among kittens. There are commercially available hairball control products that will help ease your cat’s hairball problem.
  • Dehydration. Like humans, kittens will become dehydrated and constipated if they don’t get enough moisture. Eating only dry food and the absence of clean water supply. Such a thing will make their feces stiff and difficult to pass.
  • Intestinal parasites. A lot of kittens are vulnerable to intestinal parasites, especially if not cared for properly. Heavy infestations of worms can lead to blockages that will result in constipation and other complications.
  • Very young age. Take note that very young kittens that haven’t reached the weaning age yet should be stimulated to defecate. You’ll usually see mother cats licking the rear of the kitten to encourage it to pass stool. However, if the kitten has been abandoned or rejected by its mother, you have to wipe its rectum to stimulate defecation. This will prevent constipation that can be deadly for kittens. Please also read why is my cat pooping in tub

Symptoms of kitten constipation

If you’re not sure whether your kitten is constipated or not, you should look for the following symptoms:

symptoms of kitten constipation

  • Not producing feces for a day or two
  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal distension
  • Poor appetite

If you observe these in your kitten and it’s not pooping no matter what you do, bring it to the vet for proper treatment. The tricky part about these symptoms is it can also point to other conditions. To be safe, avoid self-medicating your kitten, and don’t hesitate to call the vet if you have doubts.

Treating kitten constipation

The process of making a constipated kitten poop isn’t really difficult. The following are some tips I swear by and test on my kitten Watson whenever he’s constipated. Take note that if any of these didn’t work, it’s always best to bring your kitty to the vet’s clinic:

  • Play with your kitten. Sometimes, your kitten’s poop just needs a little push to come out. A short playtime may do the trick. Make sure that your kitty pounces, runs, and exerts physically to stimulate defecation. Running and playing help stimulate peristalsis (intestinal muscle contraction) that will help push the poop out.
  • Increase hydration. Constipation can sometimes be due to a lack of moisture. Encourage your kitten to drink more by refilling the bowl with fresh and cool water. You can also get a water fountain to entice your little feline to drink more. Another trick is to make a pate out of your cat’s kibble by adding warm water or low-sodium broth to it.
  • Add canned pumpkin. Another trick that really works wonders is adding a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to the kittens’ food. Canned pumpkin is rich in fiber that promotes better digestion. It also helps when your kitty has diarrhea.
  • Call the vet. If all these tricks didn’t work, the best solution is to call the vet. The veterinarian can advise about other methods and if it’s time to bring the kitten to the clinic. Remember that you shouldn’t administer any medication or deworming solution unless it’s been prescribed by the vet.

How to prevent kitten constipation

When it comes to raising a kitten, being proactive is the name of the game. You have to prevent constipation even before it happens.

how to prevent kitten constipation

The following are some helpful tips to prevent this problem with your kitten.

  • Keep your kitten hydrated. Constipation is largely because your cat doesn’t get enough water. This is a common problem among felines, even if there’s a bowl full of fresh water. Try to keep the sink accessible as some kittens prefer flowing water instead of stagnant ones. Please read here why does my cat scratch the floor before drinking water
  • Keep the mother involved. If your kitten is too young to be weaned, make sure that it’s still within the mother cat’s care. The mother cat will help stimulate defecation to prevent constipation. If the mother is no longer around, wiping the rectum of the kitten minutes after a meal will help.
  • Manage the shedding. If the hairball is the culprit behind your kitten’s constipation, brushing it regularly will help remove loose hair. This will prevent the kitten from ingesting the hair and blocking its poo.
  • Keep tiny items away. Kittens are like kids; they will try to swallow anything that fits in their mouth. In this case, make sure that your kitten doesn’t have toys with parts that can be removed and ingested. Also, keep other hazardous items that may lead to intestinal obstruction when swallowed.

What is the triangle method in stimulating kitten to poop?

Many cat owners swear by the ‘Triangle Method’ when stimulating their kittens to poop. This also works for constipated cats that are finding it hard to eliminate.

The Triangle Method describes how you will position your fingers when you’re massaging or stimulating it. You need some paper towels and washcloths that you don’t mind getting soiled. Once the materials are prepared, hold your thumb, index, and middle together to form a triangle while holding the cloth. You’d have to rub this at the rear end of your kitten to stimulate pooping.

Vets recommend this method since it yields positive results most of the time. However, if your kitten doesn’t seem to respond to any stimulation, it’s time to bring it to the vet’s clinic.

My kitten won’t poop when stimulated!

While stimulating a kitten helps prevent constipation, some will not respond to it. There could be an obstruction that makes it impossible for your kitten to push its poop. If you feel your kitten straining, but no poop is coming, it’s best to phone the vet.

When my cat Watson was only a few months old, he would eliminate in just 30 to 45 seconds of stimulation. If yours doesn’t eliminate, it’s possible that you’re doing it wrong, or there’s something wrong with your kitten – only the vet will know.

What does the poop color say about its health?

A healthy kitten should produce brown and soft stool, but not softer than the consistency of toothpaste. However, if the poop turns bloody-red, it’s a sign that there’s a potential bacterial or viral infection. Your kitten needs to see the vet immediately.

what does the poop color say about its health

You should also be wary about black poop because it indicates bleeding on the upper GI tract. You must bring the kitten to the vet, which is also the same action you should take when its poop is color yellow, green, or gray.

Remember that any changes in your kitten’s stool say a lot about its health.

Conclusion

Knowing how to make a constipated kitten poop is a must to raise a healthy cat. It only takes a simple step and a few seconds for your kitten to eliminate. If you’re in doubt, you can always ask the vet for help and assistance.

Written By