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My 11-week-old kitten has runny poop. What causes it and what to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 22 days old

I rescued a kitten about ten ago hes about eleven weeks old, & hes recently started pooping himself several times daily. Hes still eating & playing. The only issue is his poop is runny. What should i do for this?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on December 23rd, 2017

I'm glad to hear that Shadow is still eating and active despite his diarrhea. In a young kitten, parasites are one of the most common causes of diarrhea, but other causes could include viruses, an upset stomach due to sudden diet changes, among others. Ideally, I recommend taking Shadow to his vet for a physical exam and fecal flotation test to check for parasites. You can also give him deworming medication, such as pyrantel pamoate (available at most pet stores), which may treat roundworms and hookworms. It is important to note that not every parasite is treated by every dewormer, so it would be best to test his stool to determine if/which parasite(s) are present. You can also try offering a bit of boiled white meat chicken as a bland diet for a few days, then gradually mix the bland diet with Shadow's normal kitten food over another 5-7 days. Avoid offering any treats, milk, or table foods, as these could exacerbate his diarrhea. If he becomes lethargic, stops eating and drinking, or beings to vomit at any point, Shadow will need to go to the vet for further evaluation. I hope this helps and that all goes well for Shadow!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 5th, 2019

    No, it's not normal to have diarrhea. It can be due to intestinal parasites (which can be common in kittens), a GI illness, eating something rotten, or a sudden change in diet. I would take Smokey into a vet in the morning. Best of luck.

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