Kitten Question

[ithildin]

Can very young kittens have bladder control issues? As in they're playing and really happy and just suddenly wet all over you or whatever is nearest? Yes, Iona has done it twice today. Most of the cats I've had have been adult strays, not so much kittens.

Comments

[tygermama.livejournal.com]

According to my mom, who knows more about cats than I do, if they are really really little, yes they can, just like little kids. Or it could be an infection.

*hugs*

here's hoping Iona is just excitable.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

I think it was excitement. I hope :)

[cyberducks.livejournal.com]

I don't know about kitties as I got all my cats as young adults but very young puppies can wet all over you when they get excited.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

Yep, I think it might have been that sort of reaction.

[lyl-devil.livejournal.com]

A roommate of mine adopted a stray kitten very young (3-4 weeks old), and she did the same thing. Though in her case, the kitten was walking across her bed. It didn't last long, as she had an older cat around to help train the kitten to use the litter box.

I don't think it's a problem, just a 'potty training' issue.

[giandujakiss.livejournal.com]

Seconded. Very very young kittens don't actually know how to pee properly - and you'll want to double check this against google or something, but I think mommy cats teach them by licking the genital area once they're in the litter box. I believe you can try putting the kitten in the litter box, and then wipe using damp cotton.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

I actually came across the licking thing when I was looking for some other kitten info. Explained why the momma cats are always cleaning them there! We've been lucky that she's used the box from the beginning, so I'm hoping this was the exception.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

She's actually used the litter box from day one, so I think she just lost track of the fact she needed to go. She got me and my bed, went right through to the mattress pad.

[dejla.livejournal.com]

Those last two sound right to me. One of the women on my flist fosters a lot of kittens and very small kittens at that, and she talks about having to wipe their genital area with a wet washcloth to induce them to pee and poop.

Which, apropos of nothing, would be something Methos wouldn't be thrilled about with kittens...

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

LOL!

[dj-aida.livejournal.com]

tygermama's mama knows her cats. :) Young kittens have no control yet, and you should take them to the litter box after every meal and wipe their bottom with damp cotton, like <lj user="giandujakiss" advised. I had lots of experience with that, since I helped both my Tweety and Lola give birth and raise their litters. :) Of course, it helps if there are adult cats around who will show them how to do their business. On the other hand, it could be an infection, so you should have her checked out.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

She always uses her litter box, so I'm thinking she got so happy and excited, she just lost track of what she needed to do. I have a tarp on my bed now, so we'll see how she does over the next few days.