Newborn kitten: Defecation?

Question

Do newborn kittens actually defecate? I have been fostering 7 day old kittens for over 24 hours now. I've been stimulating them and they urinate but no signs of defecation. Their bellies are a little big (but could just be full). I'm wondering when I should be concerned. It's been a long time since fostered kittens THIS youn.

Answer 1

the mother licks there bottoms to make them go..maybe a warm rag?

Answer 2

Yes, they should be defecating now, especially with manual stimulation-I find that defecation takes a lot longer to stimulate than urination though; you may have to keep their bottoms stimulated with warm, running water for up to 5 minutes.  Try rubbing their bellies at the same time too as the f***s may have become impacted from going so long without defecating.  Good luck!

Answer 3

I would get a somewhat rough cloth and wet it with warm water, then massage their bottom and belly; kittens do burp and it might be that their little digestive systems haven't kicked in yet.  Their tummies are prob full for the first time in a while.  Also get them to pee and poo right after they eat to get them on a schedule and kick start their little bodies.  Also keep them in a box with a heating pad on the lowest level covered with lots of towels; leave one towel on top to replace when soiled; atleast twice a day.

A clock that ticks loudly will help with them too.  They are so little they can't regulate their body temp.  

This is a tough job but very rewarding.  Someday they will be beautiful cats that will make someone's life fuller.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Keep stimulating those bellies and eventually they will.