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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 24 days old | 1lb

Hi I have a 3 week old kitten how often should she poop? We got her 3-4 days ago and don't know when she last poop

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 14th, 2017

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/

7Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Chloe should be pooping every day, usually a couple of times a day. Three weeks old is way too young to be separated from her mother, as kittens aren't fully weaned until they are at least six to eight weeks of age. You need to return Chloe to her mother until she is older.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Paula Simons
Veterinarian
Published on May 22nd, 2017
Kittens usually start defecating on their own around 3-4 weeks. It is still a good idea to stimulate them to help things move along, but as Tiny gets older she will start pooping on her own. You can introduce a litter box around 5 weeks of age to start litter training her.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 21st, 2018
AT 3 weeks old they are not weaned and still need milk. you can purchase kitten mil replacer at any vet or pet store to start feeding. She should be feed every 4 -6 hours based on her size and development She will also likely need to be wiped or stimulated afterwards in order to help her go to the bathroom. Just get a warm damp cloth and gently wipe to stimulate her to urinate and defecate. make sue she stays warm, as hypothermia can be fatal to young kittens that age.

Kitten typically weight about a pound a month until about 5 months old. Around 4 weeks, you can try kitten food that is soft and see how she transitions. It may take a few tries for her to get it and like it. Vaccines should be started at 8 weeks and deworming at 4 weeks.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

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

Now that she is 3-4 weeks old she may be peeing or pooping without your knowledge. Go ahead and start teaching her the litter box but make sure it is small enough that she can get in and out. If you haven't already I would also start weaning her to cat food. At first you will still have to supplement with formula but you start by putting all for feet in canned food on a paper plate. Soon she will start eating that. And once she gets a little older, approximately 6 week, you can start adding softened kibble. The fact that she is still playful and acting normally, I do not think she is block and not urinating or pooping. Usually they will become lethargic. If you still haven't see any irons or poop in the next day or she becomes lethargic then I would see your vet for an exam. They will be able to tell if she is constipated or if the bladder is really large. I hope this helps!

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

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!

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How often should my 4-week-old kitten poop and when to stop bottles?

Hello. At 4 weeks of age, your kitten should be well on the way to eating solid food. I would prepare a dish of wet cat food mixed with a little kitten milk replacer & offer her this 3 times a day. If she still wants the bottle, I would only be doing this twice a day to encourage her to eat the solid food. A kitten this age will probably have 2-3 bowel movements in a 24 hour period. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my week-old kitten's poop brown and stinky? What should I do?

If your kitten doesn't have a mother to feed her, you need to feed a formula made for kitten (KMR). You need to feed by a bottle every 2-4 hours and then wipe her bottom after wth a wet cloth to stimulate her to poop and pee. Make sure she stays warm because she cannot regulate her temperature. In another week you can start giving a dewormer for round worms and hook worms (follow the instructions on the bottle). At 8 weeks, she needs to see a vet to start vaccines. Good luck and congrats on you new baby!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

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

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You should offer a small amount of food about 3-4 times daily and in really small kittens, every few hours might be needed. Eliminations and the frequency thereof, are dependent on many things depending on food intake, type of food, water intake etc. As long as she is not straining and trying to poop, it could be up to another 24-36 hours. She is getting accustomed to her new and that is probably slowing up the fecal elimination process. Again, no straining to have a bowel movement usually means that everything is ok, especially if the kitten is eating and drinking normally. Just keep monitoring for a bowel movement and monitor behavior, appetite, etc. If things change and you are unsure have your veterinarian evaluate the kitten. I hope everything works out ok.

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

I am not sure how many days she has gone without having a bowel movement. But if she is attempting to poop and straining, then she should see a vet immediately for an enema to help her go and then treatment for long term care. However, if she is not straining and it has been less than 3-4 days since she has pooped, give her time to adjust to whatever new things may be going on around her. Offer her food (Canned food is best @ this age or kitten formula if she has not transitioned yet) like normal and monitor her the next few days to see if she finally goes. Cats are notorious for holding their bowels when they are recently adopted, move, or there's a new introduction to the home. And finally, if you are seeing any other symptoms such as vomiting, decreased appetite, or straining, then Olly should be seen by your vet right away. You can try stimulating her to go as well by using a warm wet cloth. I hope that your furry friend Olly is able to have a bowel movement soon! Best wishes and take care. : )

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

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!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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