Really need some advice and quick...PLEASE!!!!!!

[Traci]

And you need to be feeding her a high quality kitten food (preferrably dry)....Fancy Feast isn't formulated for kitten nutrients. Try Iams.

Yes, it's possible she has a GI tract problem as a result of the canned food, but if you haven't had her checked by your vet, you also need to rule out worms, parasites, coccidia, giardia, etc. This can all be tested with a stool sample.

[Nurse_Jamie]

Traci - thanks so much for your advice. You are totally right when you said that I needed to calm down and practice patience with my little kitten. You asked how old she was - 7 weeks. I think maybe she has an upset stomach, because not only is she pooping more than usual today, she isn't as playful either and she seems to not feel very well.
But I understand, and no, I don't think you were being too harsh...you were right.
I do love my little kitten. She's really precious and she provides excellent companionship for me since my husband works so much. I will work on being more patient with her. I know that she will get better as she gets older. I have just never dealt with a youngster of any kind. I don't have any kids and I have never had a young pet....and if I have, my parents always took care of them.
She's sitting right here with me now and as I look at her, that sweet litte innocent face makes it impossible for me to stay mad at her.
But we still need to work on this pooping-out-of-the-litter-box problem. I am going to go back to my old litter...maybe that will solve it.

Thanks for the help

[Traci]

7 weeks? Well, she is most definately depending on your bond with her. She's at a very impressionable age right now, very dependant on you and needing all that you can give,....time, patience and a whole lot of love.

Don't give up, the solution is attainable, we've all been there at one time or another, you just have to find what works for you both, but remember, patience is the key, even if you have to try several different things, one thing at a time until the problem is solved.

And yes, a good attitude helps, cats can sense our emotions, tone of voice, body language and they respond to that. She will respond positively when you do.

Be prepared this won't be resolved overnight, but it can be done when a positive approach is taken.

[MA]

You are spanking a 7 week old kitten???? This kitten needs to be with mom until she is at least 12 weeks old. This BABY does not know what a litterbox is because mom wasn't with her long enough to show her how to be a cat.

Have you taken this baby to the vet to be checked out? Isolating a young one in a room by itself when it is used to being with mom and littermates is really not the best idea. This kitten needs to be with people and in the center of the home, plus this kitten seems to be pooping an awful lot, what are your feeding it and how much?

I have 3 kittens here now, they came here when they were 5 weeks old- their mother was killed. It took a little while for them to catch on about the litter pan, but they finally did, now they roam the house with the other cats and the dogs and get into mischief, and I love them. They also use the litter pans faithfully- I have 4 downstairs for them and 8 upstairs for my other cats.

You need to take a deep breath and realize that you are dealing with a BABY here and kittens do not do things deliberately, they do things by instinct or because they have no other choice. Maybe the litter is to perfumed, perhaps the sides of the pan is to uncomfortable for the kitten to get over in time. Cut a hole in the side of the pan so the kitten can get in and out easier, you will have a little bit of spillage of litter, but you might find the kitten is more apt to use the pan. And please stop hitting this baby! I just had to deal with a lady whose husband spanked her cat and the cat died- but I was told "It was just a little tap!" No such thing when it comes to cats especially kittens, you do not spank them, tap them or hit them!

[Nurse_Jamie]

I have not been spanking her. Not at all. And she can't be with her mom...I don't have her mother. I just have her. I am only feeding her a litte canned food twice a day and I keep some dry food in her bowl incase she wants to snack on it. I don't believe that's a abnormal amount of food. As for the litter box - maybe you missed it when I said that she DOES use it too. She has no trouble getting in and out of it. She isn't THAT tiny. She knows what it is. She is just choosing to go on my rug instead of her litter box.

I know she is a baby and I am NOT hitting her. I would never mistreat her in any way...I am only trying to discipline her...but let me repeat - I DO NOT HIT HER.

So I hope that I cleared some things up.

[Cleo]

Nurse_Jamie,

At 7 weeks old, the Fancy Feast is probably too harsh on her tummy. Like Traci said try Iams Kitten Formula, wet or dry. I wonder if she was even weaned from her mom. If not kitten formula or perhaps cat's milk might help some.

In any case though, definitely get her checked out by your vet to rule out any physical problems. Unlike children who able to voice their problems one way or another, our pets can't and we just need to be a bit more keen to their behavior.

You are right though, she will be the best company you can ever have while your husband is at work. I've only had my cats for 3 years but cannot imagine my life without them or care to remember what it was like before them. Take a deep breath and once the vet rules out and takes care of any possible physical problems, relax and enjoy your lifelong companion.

Cleo

P.S....if you haven't already, be sure to clean the areas she's pooped on with the products available to rid the scent and residue left there.

[Tina B and crew]

lots of good advice here already. But I will add that at 7 weeks it is a lot to expect a kitten to find a litter box that is not close by. And by experience I can tell you that if they have any sort of intestinal problems (coccidia, giardia, reaction to food) they will often go outside the litter box. I had a seven kitten litter a little over a month ago who were ALL going outside the box until they were over their bout with coccidia. You think one makes a mess...try going around cleaning up after 7 little poopers LOL.

Patience and time is usually the cure all for most problems like this, but a vet check is always the first step to rule out any problems. And ditch the
Fancy Feast, it could very well be the problem since it isn't forumlated for a kitten. Matter of fact Fancy Feast is really only good for coaxing an anorexic cat into eating, otherwise I'd never feed it to any of my cats or fosters.

Good luck with your kitty...do keep us posted.

[Mona]

First of all a 7 week old kitten needs to eat at least 4-5 times a day.

I recently adopted an 8 week old kitten and she eats high quality kitten canned food 4 times daily, along with a little dry.

A seven week old kitten does not have the crunching ability yet. You can mix some water or kitten formula to let her lap it up.

You stated that you spanked her (this does not work for a kitten or cat). Try showing her the litter by moving her paws back and forth in the litterbox. A soft sandy litter is best for young kittens.

Most of all your kitten needs love, attention and to feel needed. My kitten jumps up on her hind legs to be picked up.

Good luck and in time you will find what works best.

Try the Iams or Nutro kitten canned food.

Mona, HOneybun and Little Chloe Jean

[MA]

And she will poop in the carpet right in front of me and I can say No and spank her and carry her directly to the litter box but she'll do it again!!

I took this to mean you were spanking a small kitten. I responded in kind. This little one needs a vet and for you to understand that until they grow and develop little kitties make all kinds of mistakes because they are babies and they are learning.

[jason]

And she will poop in the carpet right in front of me and I can say No and spank her and carry her directly to the litter box but she'll do it again!!

I took this to mean you were spanking a small kitten. I responded in kind.

yeah, i think we all did...this sort of thing comes up often with new users.

note: please use your words carefully to describe what problems your kitty is having and how you are dealing with it. everyone here is mindful of certain catch phrases that put an animal in harms way.

ok...back on topic.