Is this a problem because of his diet?

meowlover

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I have a 4 month old kitten that we've had for about 1 week. He has a slight problem when using the litterbox.... He steps in his poo, gets it on his back paws, tries to shake it off and gets it on the wall, then tracks it around the house. This makes for a stinky smelly mess all over the house and on the kitty. He's been doing this since day 1 when we got him last week.

I'm wondering if his poo is too soft because its a dietary thing. (he does not have diarrhea, its just on the softer side) He's eating Purina Kitten Chow at the moment because that's what the previous owner had him on (I'll most likely switch him to a more healthy food, perhaps even all wet once he's a little more situated). We also feed him Wellness wet food in a bunch of varieties (chicken, turkey, turky & salmon, kitten, salmon & herring are the ones we've tried so far) which he absolutely loves and devours immediately. Could his diet be the problem for the soft poo? If so what recommend I do, change to a different wet or dry?
 

mrblanche

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Have you had him checked for intestinal parasites? Some of those can cause that problem. Jeeves, our previous foster was like that, and we discovered he had coccidia. Once we got that squared away, he was scrupulously clean.
 

darlili

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I agree that you might want a very full spectrum fecal check - but I've also read that Wellness can be a little rich for some kitties. There are some prescription foods for delicate tummies, but I'd really suggest talking with your vet about approaches to take, especially given his age. Also, since he's still getting used to your house - he may be feeling a little stressed, and we all know how stress can affect even our tummies.

Good luck - I know this is a situation that none of you, including your kitten, are very happy with right now. Bless you for hanging in and trying to resolve it.
 

sharky

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I agree with both of the above.. Get a parasite check and possibley look for basic foods .
 

icklemiss21

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I would get a fecal done too, they are very affordable and can answer a lot of questions about their health
I would do that before switching and use a more basic wet food (less ingredients not less quality) too
 

otto

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In addition to the excellent advice you've already gotten, which I agree with, you can add a probiotic to his food to help him adjust to the better, canned, diet.

Make sure the litter box is big enough for him. If he's stepping in it, he may not have enough room to move around and scratch and dig as much as he wants to.

Welcome to the forum, and please tell us more about your new kitten, what's his name?
 

fisheater

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I had the same problem with one of my other kitties a couple years ago. I would follow the above advice and have a fecal check.
 
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meowlover

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Hi all!

Thank you for the wonderful advice. We have a vet appointment this afternoon just for a general overall health checkup since we just got him a week and a half ago.

Also... I stopped giving him the canned wellness and his stools hardened up and look normal like its supposed to be. I tried giving him other varieties of canned food (meow mix & fancy feast) but he doesn't seem to eat it. He just pushes it around in the food bowl then walks away.

Kitty and mom are much happier now that his messes no longer pop up around the house. However, seems I've spoiled kitty's taste buds as he won't touch the cheaper canned food now. I want to give him good quality canned food as that's better for him, but it seems the only stuff he'll eat upsets his tummy. Should I slowly give him back the Wellness canned and let him get used to it a little longer as we only gave it 1 week? Or keep trying to find another canned alternative?
 

darlili

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Do you have a Petsmart near you - their Authority seems to be well received by a lot of cats, and is reasonably priced as well. Or, go with what the vet may have suggested during your visit, at least at first.

The best food is whatever your cat thrives on - regardless of label or cost.

Please let us know what what the vet said, and how things progress for your family - if only these bitties could talk and tell us what's wrong!
 

otto

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A probiotic such as probios or benebac (both gels) or fortiflora, (a powder) will help his body adjust to the Wellness brand.

I would advise a kitten formula until he is either 1 year old or 9 pounds, whichever comes first.


Let us know how the vet visit goes.
 

shanynne

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Originally Posted by meowlover

I have a 4 month old kitten that we've had for about 1 week. He has a slight problem when using the litterbox.... He steps in his poo, gets it on his back paws, tries to shake it off and gets it on the wall, then tracks it around the house. This makes for a stinky smelly mess all over the house and on the kitty. He's been doing this since day 1 when we got him last week.

I'm wondering if his poo is too soft because its a dietary thing. (he does not have diarrhea, its just on the softer side) He's eating Purina Kitten Chow at the moment because that's what the previous owner had him on (I'll most likely switch him to a more healthy food, perhaps even all wet once he's a little more situated). We also feed him Wellness wet food in a bunch of varieties (chicken, turkey, turky & salmon, kitten, salmon & herring are the ones we've tried so far) which he absolutely loves and devours immediately. Could his diet be the problem for the soft poo? If so what recommend I do, change to a different wet or dry?
The only thing that I would suggest, aside from all the good advice given so far, is when feeding him the Wellness try to stick with one flavor for a while. This will allow you to see how he is reacting to a particular flavor, if it's giving him the softer poops, etc.

If you think it might be the Wellness itself you could try other brands to see how he reacts to it, but it sounds like you are making too many food changes quickly!

When changing foods with cats, even to a different flavor by the same brand, it's important to do so slowly. This is to give their digestive system a chance to adapt to the new food.

Another thing is that sometimes a new food can give softer poops, but the cat's digestive system will adapt and "normalize" itself and the poops will become normal.

Lastly, if your kitty doesn't want the cheap stuff, don't try to force him to eat it. Cats are incredibly picky and stubborn and will starve themselves rather than eat something they don't like.


Congratulations on your new kitten and welcome!
 

otto

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Originally Posted by Shanynne

The only thing that I would suggest, aside from all the good advice given so far, is when feeding him the Wellness try to stick with one flavor for a while. This will allow you to see how he is reacting to a particular flavor, if it's giving him the softer poops, etc.

If you think it might be the Wellness itself you could try other brands to see how he reacts to it, but it sounds like you are making too many food changes quickly!

When changing foods with cats, even to a different flavor by the same brand, it's important to do so slowly. This is to give their digestive system a chance to adapt to the new food.

Another thing is that sometimes a new food can give softer poops, but the cat's digestive system will adapt and "normalize" itself and the poops will become normal.

Lastly, if your kitty doesn't want the cheap stuff, don't try to force him to eat it. Cats are incredibly picky and stubborn and will starve themselves rather than eat something they don't like.


Congratulations on your new kitten and welcome!
Excellent advice!
 
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