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Why hasn't my 3-week-old kitten pooped in 2 days? Is she constipated?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Female

I haves 3 week old kitten who has not pooped in 2 days. She's drinking milk fine and is very active can she be constipated?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on March 24th, 2018

MIracle is REALLY cute! You could check to see if she is dehydrated by pinching up the skin between her shoulder blades. If it is slow to go back to normal then she is dehydrated which could be contributing to the lack of feces. I would have your vet take a look at her if she is dehydrated so they can give her a little fluids if needed. If she is well hydrated then I would continue to feed her every 3 hours and be sure to use a warm wet cloth at every meal to rub around her anus. This will help to stimulate her bowel movements. If she still hasn't pooped within the next 24-36 hours then I would have your vet look at her. With her being so small, I don't want to give her a bunch of stuff over the counter as they can be quite sensitive. I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 23rd, 2020
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Moon. She is so cute! It may be she is constipated and that can be caused by her kitten formula being too concentrated. Add a little bit of extra water to her formula to see if that helps. If it does not, then you will need to take her into the vet in the morning to get this treated as she has gone a while without pooping. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Christie Long, DVM
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on June 2nd, 2018
You'll have to stimulate them to poop as their mother would do if they weren't orphaned. This means getting a soft rag and making it wet with warm water, then gently rubbing the genitals until they poop. Do this after they are fed. You should know that formula notoriously causes constipation, so be diligent and if they are not pooping after 24 hours, take them in for care.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on August 13th, 2019
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! He is likely going to improve on his own in a bit. He may be a bit constipated. You can add a bit of canned pumpkin to his formula which will add fiber and likely help with constipation. Best of luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH
Veterinarian
Published on June 5th, 2018
Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Sometimes changes in stool production can occur when the type or kind of food is changed. You may try introducing the food the original owner had her on to see if that helps. Otherwise, you can try a little plain canned pumpkin in her food (not the pie filing) for an added fiber boost that can help move things along. If that doesn't seem to help, I would have her seen by a veterinarian as there may be other issues such as a parasitic infection that may be a contributing cause.

I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My 1-month-old kitten hasn't pooped in a week. What should I do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Kachie! Constipation is serious in pediatric puppies and kittens. Since it has been a week I urge you to take Katchie to the Vet and see if an enema is needed. Kitten milk replacer/formula commonly causes GI problems, either diarrhea or constipation. After every bottle feeding the kitten needs to be stimulated with a warm wet soft washcloth over the anus and genitals. I always recommend bottle fed kittens be weaned sooner, around 3 weeks. So I would start offering canned kitten food mixed with formula and decrease bottle feeding. By 5 weeks she should be off formula and eating kitten food 100%. I wish Kachie the best!

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How often should a 3-week-old kitten poop? She hasn't gone in days.

3 weeks is very young. Under normal circumstances a kitten should be with its mommy until it is 10 to 12 weeks old. Your kitten will still need to be fed with kitten milk (bottle feeding). You can get a bottle and Kitten milk at a large supermarket or your vet;s office. At three weeks, the mother still licks and stimulates the kittens genitals and anus to entice it to urinate and defecate. She then removes the urine and feces. You will need to do this with a soft tissue moistened with warm water every time you feed her. At 3 weeks of age she should be fed every 4 hours. Once she is around 4 to 5 weeks old you can offer her canned kitten food in addition to the milk. Here is extensive information on raising a kitten: http://animalalliancenyc.org/feralcats/tnr-colony-care-resources/managing-kittens/raising-orphaned-kittens/

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My 2-week-old kitten on KMR isn't pooping. How long can I safely wait?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Boba. As long as she is eating, gaining weight and seems comfortable, she should defecate soon. Make sure you are stimulating her after each meal. Apply a warm cotton ball to her genital area. This replicates the mother licking her and will help her to urinate and defecate. If she stops eating or her belly appears distended, then she needs to see a veterinarian. In this case, an enema may be warranted. I hope this information helps!

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My 4-week-old kitten hasn't pooped in days. Should I be concerned?

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My 3-week-old kitten isn't peeing or pooping. What should I do?

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My 8-week-old kitten isn't pooping. Is this normal for a new kitten?

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My 10-day-old kitten hasn't pooped in two days. Is it constipated?

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