This is a new one for me... need kitten help!

[slightlv]

Last edited Sun Dec 14, 2025, 05:10 PM - Edit history (1)

Update to my new kitten story!

She pooped!!! Saints be praised! (LOL) She still has one hell of an appetite and a very loud for voice for such a small bundle of fur. But she's comfortable enough in my closed bedroom to wander around it all, jump or climb on what she can, wriggle into (and sometimes out of) tiny spaces without mom's help. She's begun to cock her head when I say her name, so I hope that means she's very intelligent. Not the least of which, she recognizes my voice as a helper and "mom".

This morning, after watching the other cats go in and out of the cat door on my bedroom door (all doors in the house have cat doors, except the bathroom. That one, they just scratch like crazy til we let them in.) Anyway, after watching the other cats, she figured out how to squeeze into the opening and out into the main house hall. I saw her, but she was gone before I could catch her. I let the bedroom door opened and it was just a few seconds later she came running back in to climb on Mama's bed. (gryn)

She has an appt on Friday for a well-kitten check... probably including worming, at her age. The other cats have pretty much accepted her... or at least, they're tolerating this little intruder. She doesn't seem to be afraid of any of them, even my two enormous toms! Casa Critter doing good, so far!

--------------


My sister dropped off a kitten yesterday, that she found sheltering in between broken stones of a church. She teaches at the school connected to the church (catholic school), and all morning the kids and she heard the cries of a kitten. She finally called early recess and they went searching. They found this tiny black and white tuxedo had crawled into a cavity between two broken stones in the church. It's been REALLY cold here lately, and we've had snow. Kit was cold, scared, and hungry. I've rescued and rehomed dozens of cats since growing into adulthood, so I didn't think anything of taking in his poor orphan.

But she's doing a few things I've NEVER had my kittens (or cats) do... I've rescued kittens prior to being 6 weeks old... tiny, tiny kittens you hold in one palm, and I've never had this issue. This cat doesn't seem to use the cat box... and I'll be damned if I can find any "surprises" in the room.

I have her confined to my bedroom... a small room, loaded with "stuff"... but she's got a nice warm burrow in a box in my closet. I have a catbox in there, which I have placed her in to "show" it to her (like I did for everyone else!), and I have her food on the other side of the closet. (away from the catbox)

She's got one hell of an appetite. Which makes me think she's been basically starving since she left "Mom." Sis hasn't found any other littermates or the Mom anywhere around the church. But beyond (what I see as) a lack of catbox moves, I also worry because she never shuts up!!! She'll let you pick her up and cuddle a little, but then wants back down on her own. I was afraid maybe she was lonely for littermates, so I let in a couple of my more mellow cats. They all took well to each other, but it hasn't stopped her mewing. I'm sitting her wondering if the two issues are related. Is she in pain?

I tried to get in to see a vet, but the earliest I can do it is the 19th of Dec. I know that's only a week, but... "mama" in me wants to know she's okay, not harmful to my own babies (especially since I have quite a few elder queens in my brood)... but also I can't bare to have anything in pain. She doesn't squeal out when I pick her up, so I can pinpoint anywhere in particular it might hurt! But she just squawls all the time. Anyone else have an experience like this?

Thanks, you guys!

[viva la]

1. My last kitten was so terrified of her new home--

She went a week without using the cat box or eating or even coming out from under the bed!

I sat beside the bed and kept reassuring her, and eventually she did come out and start living. Now of course she rules the house.

I'm glad your older cats are helping out. Maybe you could have them and the food and the catbox whereever she is, and they'll teach her?

The youngest kittens often miss out on the training from mom. We had another one who was thrown away at about 5 weeks, and he never really learned to groom himself. Fortunately, his "lil brother" would groom him-- it was really sweet.

[GardenGnome]

2. Don't know if this will help

But I've read you can wrap a towel around a ticking clock and place that in a kittens bed for them to snuggle against.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. OK, I am NOT an expert on this ... but ... this could be urgent. Possibly dehyrated, needs Mom's help to start pooping!

with cats, that means licking (yes, around the butt hole) because that's what cats do. See instructions below.

Is there only one vet in your area ? I understand $$$ is always a factor, but you might have to find a vet who is willing to let you in on an emergency basis. If there is a cat-only vet in your area, try that.

If desperate, go to your local pet store and ask who there knows the most about kitten care. They may even have an in-store vet (again, I know $$ are a factor) who is willing to give you a 'tip' without billing.

When to Worry About Constipation

It’s important to know that kittens vary greatly in how often they go to the bathroom. While a kitten should pee every few hours, they may pass stool anywhere from 1 to 6 times a day, depending on the kitten’s age, care, and GI health.

Sometimes, a kitten may even go 24 hours without pooping. If this happens, don’t panic—but do keep an eye on them and focus on trying to help them go potty. If they haven’t pooped in more than 48 hours, that’s when you’ll definitely want to head to a veterinarian for further assistance. If the kitten has any signs of discomfort such as straining, bloating, crying in the litter box, lethargy, or distension, veterinary care should be sought.

Baby Kittens Can’t Poop on Their Own

It’s also important to understand that neonatal kittens—those under a month of age—may not be physically able to poop without assistance. Young kittens require stimulation from their mother’s tongue in order to defecate. If orphaned, they need to be gently stimulated by a caregiver before every meal. Use a soft tissue or a baby wipe to stimulate the kitten’s anus in a circular motion, continuing movement until and while the kitten is pooping. This will signal to the kitten’s body to push, and will encourage them to have a bowel movement.

https://www.kittenlady.org/constipation

ETA: If Mom hasn't been nursing him, he could be really dehydrated. If he won't drink water on his own, try getting a bottle with a nipple feeder, and maybe some cat milk substitute (pet store or Tractor Supply).

[SuzyandPuffpuff]

4. No problem

Just let her or him figure it out. It very well may have been abandoned early bcz dead momma scared momma...i.e. it had no chance to be trained by momma. Don't sweat it. Also b sure box is small as to not overwhelm it. Don't over feed. Spend much time reassuring it and rub the tummy gently often. Stimulates the abdominal area. I was a licensed vet technician for decades. It will figure it out eventually. Just put yourself in it's mind. Right now it's scared freaked and instinctively won't defecate or pee if there's a threat to survival. And thank you. Kindness is always welcome especially for the ones that can't speak for themselves

[slightlv]

5. While there is more than one vet in this city, there aren't many...

and that led me to losing my dearest baby a couple of years ago. I'm probably more weirded out because of that memory. The vet did offer taking a warm washcloth to her little butt and gently stimulating. That I can do (when I can catch her again!). I have no doubt this baby is scared to death, although the vibes in my room are pretty calm. Most of my other cats are staying out of the room "with the stranger"... and that's okay by me until I get her checked out thoroughly. As young as she is, she probably needs to be dewormed, and man... I don't need that going through my brood! (LOL)

Like I said, she's not a newborn, and she's probably past weaning age. I estimate about 8 weeks old... maybe a week and a few days younger. But she's definitely beyond 6 weeks old. I doubt having a bunch of young kids surrounding you when you're found did much for her peace of mind, either... although my sister would have controlled them. We thought we had a home for her, but sis doesn't like this family, as the kids are there most of the time alone. That doesn't fare well for a kitten who needs attention, love, and calm. I don't want to turn her into the local rescue society here... they are completely over run with cats and kittens with the November births (which I figure Gabby is probably a Scorpio).

I just never figured that at 70 yo, I'd be worried about anyone's "pooping habits" any longer! (LOL)

[Bayard]

6. Sounds dehydrated

Get a syringe--easier than an eye dropper. You should be able to just pick one up from your vet. Fill it with warm water, and dribble it in her mouth. Yes, she's going to fight it, but she's got to get some fluids in her. Might take a few days to get her drinking on her own. She's not pooping because she has nothing in her system to poop or pee.

I would also pick up some gel nutritional supplement. You can put a little in the syringe with the warm water.

Keep us posted.