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

My new 5-month-old kitten isn't pooping. Could he be constipated?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 19 days old

How often should a 5 month old kitten poop? We just got him from the local shelter yesterday around 5pm, and he used the restroom around 2 times. He keeps moving his litter and squatting, turning around and doing it again. Most of the time, nothing happens though. Today, he hasn't pooped or peed at all, (that I've seen), I haven't noticed anything in the box, and he's eaten out of his dish 3 times today.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on June 29th, 2018

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

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr Stafford, BVetMed, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on June 19th, 2017
Change of food could be the cause, any change should be made very gradually. If your kitten is very distressed struggling to pass I would see the vet asap. If it seems comfortable you could wait and its gut may settle but if there's no poo by tomorrow see the vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 30th, 2019
Not sure if he has been treated with any medications but you could try him on a veterinary prescription intestinal diet. Your vet could also try some symptomatic therapy including, Metronidazole and a Proviable-Forte Kit and see if he improves on medications.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 5th, 2016
He may have a food indiscretion. Try feeding him a nother brand of food, preferably tinned food. You can also feed him some probiotics available from your vet, live yoghurt, and also try a bit of ground beef or boiled chicken. He should also be wormed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 23rd, 2017
He could have an intestinal parasite so you should take a stool sample to a vet for testing. Your vet can prescribe medications depending on the results. You could also add probiotic to his diet, like Fortiflora or Proviable.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

My 8-week-old kitten isn't pooping. Is this normal for a new kitten?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You should offer a small amount of food about 3-4 times daily and in really small kittens, every few hours might be needed. Eliminations and the frequency thereof, are dependent on many things depending on food intake, type of food, water intake etc. As long as she is not straining and trying to poop, it could be up to another 24-36 hours. She is getting accustomed to her new and that is probably slowing up the fecal elimination process. Again, no straining to have a bowel movement usually means that everything is ok, especially if the kitten is eating and drinking normally. Just keep monitoring for a bowel movement and monitor behavior, appetite, etc. If things change and you are unsure have your veterinarian evaluate the kitten. I hope everything works out ok.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 4-week-old kitten hasn't pooped in days. Should I be concerned?

I am not sure how many days she has gone without having a bowel movement. But if she is attempting to poop and straining, then she should see a vet immediately for an enema to help her go and then treatment for long term care. However, if she is not straining and it has been less than 3-4 days since she has pooped, give her time to adjust to whatever new things may be going on around her. Offer her food (Canned food is best @ this age or kitten formula if she has not transitioned yet) like normal and monitor her the next few days to see if she finally goes. Cats are notorious for holding their bowels when they are recently adopted, move, or there's a new introduction to the home. And finally, if you are seeing any other symptoms such as vomiting, decreased appetite, or straining, then Olly should be seen by your vet right away. You can try stimulating her to go as well by using a warm wet cloth. I hope that your furry friend Olly is able to have a bowel movement soon! Best wishes and take care. : )

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

Food & Nutrition

My 6-week kitten hasn't pooped since switching to wet food. Is this normal?

A 6 week old kitten should be able to be on normal food without milk right now. I would wait another day to see if she poops. Constipation isn't super common in kittens, especially on wet food, but it is possible. If Luna doesn't have a bowel movement by tomorrow, she should get checked out by the vet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My new kitten isn't pooping after 3 days, but eats. Is it normal?

Simba may be going in the other cat's litter tray, and I would try to see if you can follow him around to see if you can catch him pooping in the other tray. Kittens do not necessarily poop right after a meal, and it could be he is pooping at night in the other tray while you are sleeping. Given that he is acting normal, I wouldn't be to concerned. If he wasn't pooping at all, you would see other signs lack of appetite, potentially vomiting, straining to poop, and lethargy. Should you see any of those signs, then I would be concerned and have him seen by a vet. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

How to get my new 5-week-old kitten to drink water and poop normally?

Hi there! Congrats on your kitten! If your kitty is eating soft kitten food on his own, he may be getting enough fluid from his food. I would keep offering water, but I wouldn't be too worried about how much he's taking in as long as he continues to grow and be playful with a good appetite. As long as water is available, he will figure it out. Canned kitten food is more complete and balanced than formula, so if he's eating that then it's a better option than formula. You could encourage a bit more water intake by adding extra water to his canned food and mixing it into a slurry. It wasn't indicated how long you've had him, so I'm not sure if the not pooping is a concern. Cats will generally defecate about 1-2 times daily. Of course, if you feel something isn't right, then it's best to have him checked out by your vet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my newborn kitten eating and peeing so much but not pooping?

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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share