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My 3-week-old bottle-fed kittens aren't pooping. How do I keep them warm?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

The 3 week old kittens I am bottle feeding will not poop, only pee. Is this normal? Also, how would I keep them warm while bottle feeding?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jessica Desrosiers

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on May 22nd, 2015

Kittens on formula or mother's milk will still have bowel movements, however it may tend to be more watery or liquid rather than the solid movements of a cat on solid food. Mother cats will lick a kitten's bottom to stimulate defecation and urination, and this can be done by a foster parent by using a warm wet washcloth to gently rub their bottoms to stimulate a bowel movement. If the kittens are still unable to go, speaking with or scheduling an appointment with your local vet is best.
For keeping kittens warm during feeding, you can create a little kitten "burrito" by wrapping them in a warm towel or blanket. This will help them to retain their body heat while drinking. Making sure the kitten formula is also slightly warmed up will help prevent a decrease in body temperature.
Vote Icon38Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on May 15th, 2017

    Cute kitty! If she hasn't pooped yet you can try to stimulate her to go by gently wiping her bottom with a warm wet washcloth (this simulates how a mother cat would do it). If she is not on solid foods yet it may also be that she won't go much or may have a bit less solid of a stool. It is also a good idea to bring her to the vet when you can for a complete exam to make sure she is healthy and thriving.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on August 2nd, 2017

    The best way to stimulate a bowel movement is to gently rub a warm wet washcloth around the anus after feeding. Oliver should have a BM quickly after rubbing the area. Then you can clean and pat the area dry. Kittens don't necessarily need a heating pad, but keep him in the warmest area of your house with warm blankets to snuggle up against. Also, make sure that he is taking in enough kitten milk replacer every 2-3 hours. There should be feeding guidelines on the side of the can or mix container. Here is some more good information on raising orphaned kittens: http://www.petmd.com/cat/centers/kitten/adoption-getting-a-kitten/evr_ct_orphaned_kitten_care?page=2

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 13th, 2017

    Hello. I am sorry that Momma's boy isn't pooping well. It is very important that kittens poop, and if he is not as active as the others this is a concern as well. It is possible has started pooping on his own and you aren't seeing it, however the larger concern would be that he is not pooping. This can be constipation, or anatomical abnormality where he doesn't have an anus, or other problems in his guts. I would suggest you have him to the vet for his lethargy as well as not pooping. Good luck with little Momma's boy.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with the kittens! At 4-weeks they should be starting to get a little interested in wet food, so continuing to try the slurry should help. You can put a little on a spoon or on their noses to see if they will lick it off to encourage them to try it. Keeping the formula warmed and feeding them on their stomachs (in the same position they'd be in when nursing from mom) may also help them recognize you are trying to feed them. If they're not on solid foods yet, they may not have a whole lot in the way of stool production, and any stool they produce may be very liquidy still. It's a good idea to bring them to the vet anyway, especially if orphaned, as they may need to start getting vaccinations sooner to account for the loss of mom's natural antibodies, and your vet can examine them, deworm them, and treat any issues as needed. This article about orphaned kittens may also help as well as it has feeding schedules, etc. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-raise-orphan-kittens/
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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!
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How often should a 3-week-old kitten poop? She hasn't gone in days.
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My 2-week-old kitten on KMR isn't pooping. How long can I safely wait?
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Kittens won't drink formula, have gas, indigestion, and no poop. What formula helps?
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