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Where is my 1-month-old kittens' pee and poop? Is mom eating it?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 1 month old

My kittens turned one month old today. Although they're very healthy, active, playful and developmentally on point, and starting to experiment with eating food and drinking water, I have never seen any evidence of them peeing or pooing. I change the blankie in their nest once a week and I've never seen any kitty waste on it. I know they don't go to the litterbox. Is their mother or grandmother eating their poop or what? I've raised two litters before and I always had to clean up waste a little.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jessica Desrosiers

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on June 21st, 2018

It's very possible this momma cat is just really good at cleaning up after her kittens. At a month of age, she should start taking them to the litter box and teaching them how to use it as well, so you may start to see an increase in waste there instead. Watching the momma cat to see if she is eating/cleaning up the waste can help alert you to if this is the case.

If any of the kittens seem unwell, constipated, or don't seem to be urinating/defecating properly, scheduling a vet check to rule out any issues is always best.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 31st, 2018

    Their mama cleans them regularly and, in order to keep the nest clean she eats the poop. They probably still need to be stimulated to poop. Mama rubs their anus with her tongue and when they poop, she removes it cleaning them. This is normal/ eventually she will teach them how to use the litter box.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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