Bloated & Dehydrated Kittens

Rearing young kittens, particularly when the mother is absent, can be a lot of hard, round-the-clock work. A few pointers from experienced foster cat parents can let you know what to do at home to solve a these common health problems and when it may be necessary to visit the veterinarian when you identify bloating or dehydration in your kittens.

  1. Gas

    • Formula bottles can introduce air into a kitten's stomach.

      Kittens that are being raised on a bottle instead of by their mother can ingest too much air while they are eating. Since humans can never feed kittens as much as their natural mothers can, sometimes animals get overly hungry between feedings and become frantic and eat too fast. Feeding more frequently and regularly will help the problem, but if the situation exists, try not to squeeze the bottle to deliver more formula. This will introduce gas into the stomach and cause discomfort. Take scissors or a razor blade and cut a bigger hole in the bottle to make it flow faster as it gets older.

    Worms

    • Internal parasites can also cause a distended stomach in kittens. This is especially common for feral cats when the kittens have been found outside. The worms come from the mother, which has been exposed from the soil. Roundworms are more common in kittens than in adults, which often have tapeworms. Worms are very common and do not transfer to humans. The veterinarian can prescribe a de-wormer in a pill or paste, and it is recommended to repeat the treatment three weeks later.

    Constipation

    • A kitten needs stimulation from its mother to urinate and defecate. The adult cat licks under the tail to trigger the kitten to relieve itself. A sign of a constipated kitten is a distended belly. To mimic the mother, take a warm cloth or cotton ball and wipe the back of the kitten until it eliminates. This is recommended after waking and right after each feeding, or at least three times a day. A veterinarian may be required to administer an enema. Constipation can lead to dehydration.

    Dehydration

    • A young cat can be dehydrated from a lack of mother's milk or access to the mother, if it is the smallest of the litter. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause this problem too. Lack of moisture may affect the stool so the cat can't relieve itself. Check for symptoms such as a dry mouth and dark urine. Do a pinch test by pinching the skin gently on the stomach. If the skin stays indented, it may be affected. Solutions of glucose and electrolytes can be given to restore hydration. Try giving the kitten diluted milk and gradually bringing the milk back to full strength.