How to Stimulate a Kitten to Pee and Poop: Step-by-Step for Orphans

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

In the nest, a mother cat licks her newborns' bellies and bottoms after each feeding. The licking triggers reflexes that let kittens urinate and defecate. Without it, they cannot go, and can become seriously ill. If you are raising an orphan, this is one of your most important jobs.

Why it is needed

Kittens under about three weeks do not have voluntary control of their bladder and bowel. The reflex is triggered by touch around the genitals and anus. A kitten that cannot eliminate may develop a distended belly, vomiting, discomfort and toxicity. See fading kitten syndrome.

What you need

• Soft cotton balls, a soft cloth or unscented baby wipe.
• Warm water.
• A towel on your lap.
• A warm room.
• Clean hands.

Use warm water, not hot, and no scented products.

How to do it

1. Feed first, or after feeding, since eating stimulates the gut. See how to bottle feed a kitten.
2. Keep the kitten warm, on your lap with a towel. A cold kitten will not go. See how to warm a cold kitten.
3. Hold the kitten belly down or on its back, with its rear toward you, supported in your hand.
4. Dip the cloth in warm water, and wring out.
5. Stroke the genital area and anus gently, in a downward direction, away from the belly, the way a mother's tongue would move. Use light strokes for a few seconds.
6. Urine usually comes first, then stool, if it is due.
7. Continue for about a minute, until the kitten stops.
8. Dry gently with a soft, dry cloth, so the skin is not sore.
9. Clean the cloth, and your hands.

Most kittens need stimulating after each meal, every two to four hours at first. Some need both urine and stool each time, others pass stool once or twice a day.

What is normal

• Urine: pale yellow, almost clear. Dark yellow, orange or strong smelling urine suggests dehydration.
• Stool: yellow to light brown, soft, and formed like toothpaste. Kittens on formula often have mustard-colored stool.
• Frequency: urine at every stimulation, stool one to several times a day.

Problems

• Diarrhea: watery, green or foul stool can come from overfeeding, wrong formula or infection. Call your vet. See kitten diarrhea.
• Constipation: no stool for a day or more, a swollen belly or straining. Call the vet. See kitten constipation.
• No urine: an emergency.
• Redness or soreness: use less pressure, and a softer cloth. Apply a little petroleum jelly if advised.
• Blood: call a vet.

Tips for success

• Keep the same time and routine.
• Be gentle but firm enough to stimulate.
• Do not over-stimulate, since a few seconds are enough.
• Use warm water to encourage.
• Keep a log of feedings, urination and stool.
• Weigh the kitten daily. See kitten weight chart.

Do not skip

Kittens that eat but do not eliminate can become ill quickly. Even in the middle of the night, stimulation matters.

When to stop

Around three to four weeks, kittens begin to eliminate on their own, and show interest in loose substrate. Introduce a shallow litter tray, with non-clumping, unscented litter, since young kittens may eat litter. See kitten litter training. Continue stimulating until the kitten reliably uses the tray. Weaning begins around the same time. See how to wean kittens.

Hygiene

Wash hands before and after, and clean surfaces. Kittens are vulnerable to infection, and some conditions can pass to people.

Support from a vet

Orphan care is demanding. Ask your vet to check the kitten, advise on formula and weight gain, and help if anything seems wrong. Local rescues also often offer support and supplies.

Troubleshooting a kitten that will not go

If urine does not come, check warmth first, then try a slightly warmer cloth and a slightly longer, still gentle, session. Change the angle, so that the strokes follow the line of the belly toward the tail. Do not press hard. If there is still nothing after several minutes, and the belly feels full, call your vet at once. Kittens that cannot urinate for twelve hours or more are in danger.

Keeping the area clean

Wipe the kitten dry afterward, and wash the cloth or use a fresh cotton ball each time. Change the towel on your lap. Clean skin avoids scalding and infection, which matter in tiny kittens. Over time, you will learn your kitten's rhythm, and stimulation becomes a quick, quiet part of each feeding.

Several kittens at once

With a litter, stimulate each kitten separately, and record who has gone. Mark kittens with different colored collars if needed. Weigh each one daily.

When to see a vet

See a vet if the kitten does not urinate or defecate, or seems unwell. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.