Kitten had cow milk, now KMR. Will it adjust? How to stimulate potty?

I am attaching a link here to your question that gives information on caring for orphaned puppies and kittens, including a milk recipe to use until you are able to get a commercial product such as KMR, which is recommended : http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=576 Depending on how much he was eating before you found him he may not have much to defecate, but he could also be constipated. Stimulating the anal area with a warm wet wash cloth gently can help, or actually lubricating a thermometer with vaseline or lubricant and inserting a little ways into the anus as you would to take a temperature can sometimes stimulate a bowel movement. If the kitten is uncomfortable and still not havine a bowel movement after this, a vet visit is recommended. Best of luck with your kitten!

I recommend using a bottle with a small nipple - you can find kits for newborns at most pet supply stores. A commercial milk replacer like KMR is best, and you should feed the kitten every 2-3 hours. The kitten should be taking about 25 ml of milk per day and you should offer the bottle with the kitten laying on its stomach, not held on its back like a baby. You will also need to stimulate the kitten to urinate and defecate after eating by rubbing a warm washcloth on the genital and anal openings - neonatal kittens cannot urinate or defecate on their own. If the kitten is not interested in the bottle you may need to tube feed and should see your veterinarian for a demonstration.

If you haven't already, I would schedule a vet visit to make sure there isn't a health issue causing the digestive issues, rather than the formula. Parasites (very common in kittens), blockages, GI upset, etc could all be causing the problems and can often present as fussy kittens with little bloated bellies. If they're not passing any stool or urine, that is also a concern. I wouldn't offer a probiotic as they are both very young, and it may just mask a different problem that could need treatment. KMR and other kitten milk replaces are the best option as they are formulated to provide the right nutritional balance for the kittens. You will likely need to be feeding smaller amounts more often to ensure they get enough and to keep them from getting too full and uncomfortable. Feeding them while they are on their bellies (like they would be while nursing) can also help ease digestion. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-raise-orphan-kittens/

Kitties can't digest human milk well. This is likely what gave your little one diarrhea. I would switch back to the KMR and start mixing in small amounts of wet kitty starter formula food. You can also mix in 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) to help harden her stools and continue feeding her kitten only food. If he stools are not getting better after 24-48 hrs then its best to take her to your vet for a short course of antibiotics to get her bacterial flora back to normal. I hope that your ktity feels better soon! Best wishes and take care!

He could have a sensitive stomach or a malabsorption problem. Unfortunately KMR isn’t a well balanced meal for him to consume after the weaning age (3-5 weeks of age), so it’s best to keep him in a high quality kitten food such as Royal Canin, Hill’s Science diet, Evo, Eukanuba or California natural by Natura. Your vet can run a test to check for malabsorption. This is something that can be treated. I would also recommend trying a probiotic for a few weeks to see if this makes a difference. Over the counter Culturelle is comparable to a lot of the pet formulated probiotics we carry in the clinic. Adding in 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling), can also help solidify his stools. If all else fails then it’s best to go back to your vet to have a pcr fecal screening test, which is a little more in depth to check for bacterial infections that would not be detectable with just an in-hospital fecal exam. I hope this helps and best wishes moving forward with your pet Charlie and his loose stool. Take care.

Kittens need to eat frequently! What goes in must come out, and on a liquid diet it will be mostly urine. You need to rub and rub and rub the anus with a warm wet washcloth to stimulate defecation. This is a great article on raising orphan kittens: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951456

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!