Why is my 4-month-old kitten not eating and pooping outside the litter box?

Hi there, and thanks for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. A decreased appetite in a young cat who's usually a good eater is definitely cause for concern. Although it's not a very specific symptom, appetite tells us a lot about how our pets are feeling, and since the decreased appetite has been going on more than 24 hours, it's time for Cash to see the vet. Hope this helps and he feels better soon!

I strongly recommend an urgent vet check and fecal exam - profuse diarrhea and inappetance is very serious in such a young kitten and could rapidly lead to severe dehydration and debilitation. Offer only bland feeds of boiled chicken, fish or egg in the meantime, with an added probiotic such as fortiflora

Young kittens will normally toilet frequently, often up to 6 times a day but I would be very concerned by repeated trips to the tray without producing anything as this may indicate an obstruction or severe spasm and inflammation which is quite common in cats and can be triggered by stressful events such as moving house. I recommend an urgent vet check to determine if he is constipated or bladder pain and to prescribe the most appropriate treatment and ongoing management to prevent recurrence. In the meantime I would try to encourage fluids with flavoured water (freshly boiled chicken broth or a little cod liver oil on the water bowl) and provide wet food to maximise fluid intake which can help soften stool and flush the bladder

I'm sorry to hear this! It sounds like Smoky may have an issue such as constipation or even GI upset that is causing the problem. If the anus or rectal area are very irritated, that may cause fecal incontinence as well. It sounds as if Smoky is feeling pretty ill, and would benefit from additional examination and testing to try and find the cause. (Possibly with another vet!)

Hi. Unfortunately, there are many possibilities let causes of vomiting and not eating. This can range from something they ate upsetting the tummy, toxins, parasites, or even a foreign object in the GI tract that he swollen that could be stuck. The last one we get very suspicious of in young kitties. I would highly recommend getting Bart in to the ER this evening.

HI, sorry to hear Acil isn't eating well. If he's not taking in food, he will not have enough waste to make feces. Due to her young age, I suggest taking her to a vet and having some tests done to see why she is not eating. Kittens should always be eating multiple times a day and if they don't, they can get low blood sugar and have seizures and maybe die. If she is still up and walking around, I would try some canned food in a blender and use an eye dropped or oral syringe to make sure she gets some nutrients until you can get her to a vet. IF she is not responding to you and only laying there, she needs emergency veterinary attention. Force feed her small amounts of a liquid food until you can take her to a vet, and no, I cannot forsee any side effects coming from any medication the vet might give. Good luck!

No, this is not normal. Not eating is very abnormal in young kittens. Most common reasons for the behavior you described is viral disease and internal parasites. Other options are trauma (like he fell and hurt himself) and intestinal obstruction. Milo really needs to be assessed by a veterinarian as soon as possible.