My older cat is licking my sick kitten's bottom. Is it contagious?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Kittens may have diarrhea and low energy due to a number of conditions including intestinal parasites, viral infections, or a change in diet. I recommend having both kittens examined by a vet as soon as possible, as it is likely that the condition is contagious. To speed up the diagnosis, I recommend bringing a stool sample from the sick kitten in a disposable container for your vet to check for parasites. It is important to have the sick kitten evaluated as kittens can quickly become dehydrated and have low blood sugar, making them feel even worse. While it is unlikely that your son got sick from one of the kittens, it is possible. I recommend that you have him seen by a physician if you are concerned.

Hi, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry Ojitos is sick but I am glad you had him seen by your Vet. It depends on the cause of the vomiting and diarrhea. If it is viral or bacterial it can be. But if its from eating something gross that is disagreeing with him, food allergy or sensitivity, pancreatitis, intestinal inflammation then no it shouldn't be contagious. Sometimes we never know the reason for the vomiting and diarrhea. I hope this helps and I with Ojitos a speedy recovery!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear Lynx is not feeling well. The answer to your question is: probably not. Most diseases that cause diarrhea in kittens are transmitted via fecal-oral route. Meaning you'd had to have gotten poop from the kitten on your hands and then somehow Lynx licked or ingested that. This seems very unlikely to me. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why Lynx may be showing the signs you list. Being 16, I would take her into the vet as soon as possible to help determine what might be going on. Kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and intestinal cancer are all commonly diagnosed in older cats with signs like you describe. Bloodwork is sufficient to rule most of those in or out. Best of luck to you and Lynx.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I only recommend commercial kitten food for kittens. It is possible that the egg yolk was too rich for her and is now causing the diarrhea. Cats are extremely clean and she is likely licking herself to remove the leaking stool. Since she is so young and the diarrhea is so bad I would take her to your Vet for medications. I would try to not give her table food since she seems to have a sensitive stomach. Other causes of diarrhea are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, toxin ingestion, pancreatitis, metabolic conditions. But if her stools were normal before the egg yolk then it is likely that. I hope this helps and I wish Noushmc a speedy recovery!

It sounds as Jasper is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking him to the vet the first chance you get, he will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection he will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better.

It's possible there could be a parasite affecting both of them that started with the kitten, or something they got in to. I recommend they both be seen by your veterinarian. Bring a fecal sample with you to be checked for parasites.

I am sorry to hear this! Yes, it is possible he picked up something from the new kitten even if she was asymptomatic. I would recommend taking them both in and having them tested for infectious diseases and worms at a minimum. I hope it is nothing too serious but better safe than sorry! I hope this helps!