Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my 3-week-old kitten constipated and urine smells like eggs?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | 21 days old | 0 lbs

Hello! We have a 3 week old foster kitten that I have some questions about. First off, he hasn't goon poop in a few days, which is about when the other problem started. His urine smells like rotten eggs. He's still acting normal, just a little bloated from not going potty. Any idea what the issue might be? Diet?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on April 28th, 2017

Usually, kittens over three weeks old no longer require physical stimulation to urinate and defecate. However, there is some variation in this number and it is possible that Milo is on the late end of that variation. I would try and stimulate the anogenital region to see if this can create a bowel movement. This very well may be the cause of the bloated appearance you are seeing currently. As for the urine, in my experience, cat urine never smells too great. However, a rotten egg scent could be an indication of some type of urinary tract infection or unbalanced pH of the urine. It might be worthwhile having Milo checked out by the vet. If you can, I would bring in a urine sample too to have it analyzed for any problems include bacteria or white blood cells. I have not heard of diet causing that kind of scent in the urine in cats, but I suppose it is possible. A three week old cat should not be eating much of anything other than KMR or the very beginnings of cat food in gruel form.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

My 7-week-old kitten's poop smells really bad. What could be the cause?

I recommend to stop giving him milk as that could be upsetting the intestinal flora. Kittens are weaned around this age or earlier. I also recommend to have the stool checked for worms and coccidia as these parasites will also cause a foul smelling stool. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

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

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!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My kitten has foul-smelling green diarrhea after eating egg white.

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would stop the egg white & just stay with the KMR. In another week, start introducing some canned kitten food mixed with the KMR to wean the kitten from the milk. I would also deworm the kitten now with pyrantal pamoate using 1 ml per 10 pounds of body weight ( Kitti will probably only need 0.1-0.3 mls ). Have a sample of the kittens stool examined by your veterinarian to check for other parasites, like coccidia. Hope she is doing well soon. Take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my new 3-month-old kitten have bad gas and stinky poop?

Congratulations on your new kitten Cheez-it! I recommend to have him see the veterinarian who will check him for parasites and may recommend a medication. I would then recommend to try a different diet. I like Royal Canin as it is easy to break down and can often help with pets who are prone to gas and GI upset. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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/

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My newborn kittens pee, but are they constipated if they don't poop?

A check up would be ideal as very commonly kittens (and puppies) are constipated for the presence of intestinal parasites. Please follow this link to have reliable source of informations about how to make them poo as well. https://www.catster.com/kittens/how-to-make-a-kitten-poop Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share