kitten doesn't clean himself after pooping and peeing

tyty

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Hi,
I just took home a 6 weeks old kitten. The problem is that he doesn't clean himself after pooping and peeing. Can anyone give me advices?

Thanks!
 

jen

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I am gonna come right out and ask---You mean licking down there after everytime the cat goes? or do you mean just when it is messy, like if a clump of poop gets stuck there? Cats don't clean ("wipe") themselves like people do after everytime they go. At least none of mine ever did. As long as there is no poop or dirt stuck under the tail and he isn't wiping his butt on the floor it is fine.
 

emb_78

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Originally Posted by Jen

I am gonna come right out and ask---You mean licking down there after everytime the cat goes? or do you mean just when it is messy, like if a clump of poop gets stuck there? Cats don't clean ("wipe") themselves like people do after everytime they go. At least none of mine ever did. As long as there is no poop or dirt stuck under the tail and he isn't wiping his butt on the floor it is fine.
 

arlyn

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I've also never had a cat that was 'into' grooming until reaching about 4-6 months of age
 

catsknowme

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*sigh* 6 weeks is still very young to not have mom around - I had to wipe my 2 boys till they were about 10-12 weeks, and even then, my manx-mix Joey needed help. He didn't do a good job till about 4 mos. old - I'd have to coax his head near his rear to get him to realize he wasn't smelling fresh. If you assist them with warm, damp cotton balls or soft cloths, they get the point about staying clean. I just try to not make them sore (I never use soap of any kind, just Vaseline if absolutely necessary). Also, cats are very sensitive to any kind of perfumes & scents, so I avoid those as much as possible. Unscented litter is a MUST (the scents often give me asthma, too). Congratulations on your new baby!! I MISS having a tiny one..Guess I'll just vicariously enjoy the babies on TCS!
 

tnr1

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Congratulations on your new baby!! I MISS having a tiny one..Guess I'll just vicariously enjoy the babies on TCS!
If you volunteer with a rescue group or shelter...you can get your kitten fix.


Katie
 
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tyty

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Thank you all for your advices and feedbacks, this is reassuring me. This is my first kitten so I was a little bit worried.
 

jen

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non clumping litter is also majorly important for kittens too aside from the unscented. it can clump to their little behinds and block everything up and cause all kinds of problems.
 

abdrgnldy

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I was wondering the same thing...Sunday, my husband & I adopted two 6 week old kittens named Tiger & Lily (male & female respectively)
. I haven't seen Tiger use the litter box (but I'm sure he has, I just haven't seen it..), but I was in the room when Lily used the box. She did her job and got out, no grooming or anything...needless to say I was a little worried
. My oldest cat, Opal, isn't introducing herself to Lily or Tiger yet and I'm hoping she does soon so that she'll "teach" the babies how to groom.

I am less worried that she didn't groom herself (thanks to the original posting and replies!)
. But I hope she does learn, last night I was up from 1 am to 2 am...I actually (& I can't believe I did this
) put her little bum, tail and back legs under lukewarm water (more cold than hot) and wrapped her in a towel and let her dry in my arms.


Ana
 
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