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If you've just adopted a kitten or stumbled beyond a litter in your backyard, congratulations on becoming a parent! You're in for a lot of fun presently. You will virtually likely take many questions regarding kittens (especially if you are a first-time kitten owner), though.
I of the almost common questions about kittens is "When do they start pooping?". Information technology's a not bad question to ask considering the answer is important. Here we'll answer that question, plus a few other common questions nigh kitten bathroom habits.
When Exactly Will My Kitten Start Pooping?
Nigh kittens cannot poop (at least on their own) until after they've crossed the three week sometime mark. If they are nonetheless with their mother, she volition stimulate them so they are able to pee and poop, but if you are playing the role of mama cat instead, y'all will need to take over this task (we'll cover how below!). Around the iv-week marking is when you can typically wait your cat to exist able to offset pooping on its own.
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How to Go Your Kitten to Poop
Helping your kitten to poop isn't very complicated, thankfully. There are merely a few steps you demand to follow:
Moisture a washcloth or cotton ball with warm water — but enough to go it clammy.
Commonly, a mama cat would use her tongue to go her kittens to poop, so you will replace that with the washcloth or cotton ball and gently rub around your kitten's genitals, belly, and bottom in circles.
Keep doing this until your kitten poops but keep an eye on them to make sure they aren't experiencing any discomfort.
Once your kitten has pooped, clean them upwardly if needed.
Do this after each feeding.
If your kitten doesn't poop every fourth dimension after eating, it's okay — not going once or twice won't impairment them.
How Frequently Should Kittens Poop?
Young kittens will usually go to the bathroom after every meal, but this will subtract the older they get. So, if yous're feeding your cat several times a 24-hour interval, you lot can expect them to poop roughly the same number of times. As their digestive systems get better equipped with dealing with food and waste, they should only poop once or twice a solar day. E'er keep an centre on your kitten's bathroom habits — you want to make sure their stool looks consistent and well-formed.
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Diarrhea
If your kitten is experiencing diarrhea, the cause could exist one of many things. It may be because of a new brand of food that their stomach isn't quite used to, or information technology may be that you lot've given them moo-cow's milk, an particular they can't digest. Both will crusade temporary diarrhea and tin can be easily fixed by taking away the milk or getting them slowly used to a new nutrient by mixing it with their old one. However, there are other causes of diarrhea that are more apropos, such as parasites and worms, viral and bacterial infections, and environmental stressors (like moving to a new home). These volition cause longer periods of diarrhea.
If diarrhea lasts more a 24-hour interval or two, you should visit your vet. Diarrhea can cause a kitten to dehydrate rather quickly due to its minor stature.
Constipation
On the flip side, your lilliputian one might be having a hard time going. If your kitten hasn't pooped for ii to three days, it may be suffering from constipation. As with diarrhea, this could be caused by a diversity of problems such as parasites, a blockage from eating something they shouldn't take, dehydration, or an improper diet.
If you haven't seen your kitten go in the by couple of days, you should become them a vet and then they can find the crusade of the trouble. And an extremely of import note, do NOT try giving your kitten an at-home enema — you might finish up killing them.
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What Should Kitten Poop Expect Like?
Finally, it's vital to know what your kitten's poop should look like and so you can identify if whatsoever problems arise. For kittens three weeks and under, stools should exist dark-brown (but may occasionally accept a yellowish tint) and primarily firm. As they become older, their poop may become a lighter or darker brown (depending on what they're eating), but if information technology'southward dark-brown and business firm, all is well.
When your kitten's poop shows up in other colors is when you should exist concerned. Below is a quick rundown of what different colors of poop mean.
Contains mucous (clear, white, or yellow and slimy) – indication of bowel irritation, perchance from a parasite
Black (may incorporate clots) – indication of upper GI tract bleeding
Red (as in actual blood) – indication of bowel irritation and/or an infection
Orange – indicates that there is bile in the stool, which could exist a outcome of an issue with the gallbladder or liver
Greenish tinged – indication of a bacterial infection that is astringent
Xanthous – indication of overgrowth of bacteria
Grey – indication of too few probiotics or overfeeding
White – life-threatening, take kitten to the vet immediately
And as far as consistency goes, as mentioned above, your kitten's poop should be house (if it's a little soft, it'due south nevertheless in the range of normal). Any other consistency means you should accept your kitten for a check-upward.
Last Thoughts
Kittens are a nail to have effectually the business firm, but information technology's essential to be well-informed of their needs before getting one. You should be aware of when they'll accomplish sure milestones, so you know what to look for in the case something goes wrong. Every bit long every bit you're prepared, though, your kitten should be healthy and well for a long time.
Featured Prototype Credit: Stefano Garau, Shutterstock
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