How To Help Kittens To Poop

Hi guys. I have been rescuing kittens before but not this small. I took in 2 rejected kittens, (probably just over a week old when I got them) from outside because they were almost dying from the extreme summer heat and the Mama cat was nearby (a stray cat which I am also feeding) but was not getting near them. Initially she was nursing these babies (originally 3 in all but I assumed the 3rd one died) but all of a sudden she just rejected her babies. I tried to coax her repeatedly into getting back to the kittens but to no avail. Now I have been bottle-feeding them for already 5 days but have not seen them poop. Can you tell me what to do please?

I just hope these kittens survive. I named them Popcorn and Pancake.

Have you been stimulating them to poop and pee before feedings?

How much, how often, and what are you feeding?

Thank you for helping!

talkingpeanut said:

Have you been stimulating them to poop and pee before feedings?

How much, how often, and what are you feeding?

Thank you for helping!

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When I am at home, I bottle feed them of kitten formula every 2-3 hours. I go to work everyday, so nobody is at home when I leave, aside from my cats who do not want to do anything also with the kittens. LOL. By the time I get home at past 5pm everyday they are already too hungry. But I cannot skip work at noon just to bottlefeed them. At night I have very little sleep.

They pee a lot. But the problem is defecating. I don't know how. I tried to massage using a warm cloth on the anal region but does not seem to help.

Try this.

Hold the kitten in the palm of your hand, belly down, butt facing out.
Stand next to the sink. Have the hot water running but make sure it is only warm.
Wet your fingers and very gently tap around the anus with damp, warm fingers.

This usually works better than the massage method and it means that the kittens won't get a sore butt, as they sometimes do if you have to massage too often.

It's also easier to clean up if the poop over the sink.

Here’s a helpful article from the Kitten Lady: Stimulating Kittens — Kitten Lady

They are adorable! How much do they weigh and how much are you feeding them? Are they getting baby teeth yet?

Are you using powdered KMR?

Norachan said:

Try this.

Hold the kitten in the palm of your hand, belly down, butt facing out.
Stand next to the sink. Have the hot water running but make sure it is only warm.
Wet your fingers and very gently tap around the anus with damp, warm fingers.

This usually works better than the massage method and it means that the kittens won't get a sore butt, as they sometimes do if you have to massage too often.

It's also easier to clean up if the poop over the sink.

Click to expand...

Oh! Ok, thanks a lot!

Sarthur2 said:

Are you using powdered KMR?

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Yes. I feed them every 2-3 hours when I am at home so I have got no proper sleep since I took them in. My problem is when I go to work. I make sure they drink a lot before I go but by the time I get home at past 5pm everyday, they are already too hungry. Poor babies.