My new stray kitten can't poop and seems to be in pain. What to do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed
Hi I have acquired a stray kitten a couple of days ago. It is really skinny and under fed. I guess it was abandoned by its mother. Anyway we fed it tuna and chicken, and then bought some cat food. The problem is that it cant go to the toilet. I see it trying to go but it cant and now its in pain and holding its tail down. Please help
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 10th, 2017
Hi and thank you for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If the kitten is less than 8 weeks old, it should be fed milk replacer and not cat food. Kittens digestive systems are not yet mature enough to handle regular food and giving them this may cause stomach upset. If the kitten cannot go to the bathroom or is having trouble doing this, you can stimulate her to go by rubbing her underside with a warm washcloth. There is also a congenital abnormality where kittens are born without a anus and therefore cannot defecate called atresia ani. It is rare but can occur. If you have tried to get her to defecate and she is still not going, you may need to take her into her veterinarian for further examination. Best of luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on May 3rd, 2019
I am so sorry that we weren't able to get to your question sooner. I'm assuming you've probably already tried this, but if you haven't then use a warm wet cloth and wipe her bottom to help encourage her to pass a stool. Do NOT use a human enema (these usually use phosphorus and will be toxic to the kitten.). If you are completely unable to get him in to see a vet, and straining to poop is the main symptom she is showing, you can try cutting a pediatric glycerin suppository in 1/4s, using lots of lube and a very very gentle gloved finger and gently insert that in her anus, as this may be enough to stimulate her to poop if she's gotten very backed up. If she isn't eating or is otherwise acting ill, please take him in to your vet. Even if your vet couldn't find a solution, they will be able to help you at least provide some supportive care (fluids, etc). Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, I hope that Mia is feeling better!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
How often should an 8 week old kitten be pooping, urinating and eating. I got the kitten yesterday and it eats, plays and urinates in the litter box but it wont poop. I feed it wet food and mix some water to hep get some water into its system because
She was abandoned by her mother and we just brought her in yesterday and she was fine, but she's been meowing all morning, I think she's constipated. My vet told me to help her poop with a cotton pad by stimulating her anus but she only pees and her
I just rescued an eight week old kitten from the street. Vet checked her out and she is healthy, but she is constipated. I didn’t ask the vet because I brought her in the moment I got her. So I didn’t know she was constipated. What can I give a kitte
Hi im from turkey and our vets could not find a solution so here i am. My kitten is 8 weeks old and he can't poop. His back looks so bad. He is 350 grams, he is looking really sick and small. He is a persian. We need help immidately. Thanks.
my kitten 1 month old is not having a bowel movement for a week? Shes healthy and active. She drinks her replacer milk often. but no bowel movement. what should i do?
2 1/2 week old kitten. On kmr for 5 days, had yellow diarrhea then turned green then back to yellow. She is still eating, gaining weight and seems comfortable but hasn't pooped in 36 hours. Pee is clear. No vet has any openings. How long can I safely
Acil is playing well, eating little food. She is going to litter box and trying to poop but the poop is not coming out. little Acil is trying hard but only very little poop is coming. Pity little Acil. Please help her
We have just recently got our kitten she's 6 weeks old she's peeing but not pooping and it's nearly been 2 days
5 week old orphaned kitten peeing but not pooping. I tried rubbing his butt but he didnt poop. He have good appetite. And also active. Its been 4 days since i rescued him. What should i do?
We have had her now for 46 hrs but she hasn't pooped yet. She is eating wet food and formula but not crunchy. The lady we got her from had crunchy out for the kittens when we got her. What do I do about both situations? Help and Thank you in advance
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
