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My kitten has a rectal prolapse. What can I do at home to help?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 2 lbs

I have a kitten with a rectal prolapse, is there anything I can do at home to help it? I would say constipation is the cause as it has poop visibil with the prolapse.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Priyanka Thakkar, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 10th, 2017

I'm so sorry to hear that Oliver is having this problem. A prolapsed rectum is very painful and the longer that tissue stays out the higher the chance that it will lose blood supply and need surgery. Prolapsed rectums in kittens are usually caused by excessive straining from diarrhea, constipation, or GI parasites. Unfortunately, there is no home remedy and I can only recommend that you have Oliver seen right away to correct this problem and find the underlying cause.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Unfortunately there's not much you can do at home for Oliver besides keeping the tissue moist with either case something like plain KY jelly or saline liquid. If the tissue becomes dried out it will die and become infected. Oliver needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The veterinarian could reduce the tissue as well as treat Oliver for G.I. parasites and/or constipation. Both of those are the most likely causes a rectal prolapse is in kittens.

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Your kitty will need a vet visit to examine the prolapse and be sure that is what is going on and determine the cause (the most common is actually straining from diarrhea due to parasitism) and replace the prolapse. In the meantime, keep the exposed rectal mucosa covered with a lubricant such as ky jelly to prevent the mucosa from drying out/becoming devitalized.

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 16th, 2017

    I am so sorry to hear about Molly. This is a condition which requires veterinary treatment. The underlying cause for the prolapse needs to be treated or the prolapse will keep occurring (most often this involves GI parasites such as worms and coccidia). The prolapse often needs to be replaced and a special suture placed to keep it in place until the tissue can heal. I would recommend taking Molly to the vet right away, as the longer the prolapse is out, the more likely it will cause severe damage. I would keep the prolapse moist with vaseline or ky jelly until she is seen. The vet can also give her medication to make her more comfortable.

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