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My newborn kitten gurgles and isn't hungry. Did she aspirate formula?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | 3 days old

I recently rescued orphaned kittens only a day old or so. My first time. I went to the vet and got milk replacement formula. They all seem to be doing well...hungry and eliminating well. However I think one may have aspirated some formula. At the moment she seems to he ok but she makes gurgling noises sometimes when she cries and today, for the first time she wasn't hungry at feeding time. What can I do to help her? What should I be looking for?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 9th, 2017

You need to take her to the vet for an exam. He will need to listen to her lungs to see whether she inhaled the formula, which is life-threatening. There is also a possibility that she may have a cleft palate which causes the milk to be inhaled or not being swallowed properly. Your vet can check your kitten for that. Unfortunately a cleft palate is not an easy defect to fix. It is very important to feed the kittens while they are prone, ie NOT on there back. If you feed them like a human baby they will have problems drinking properly. Make sure you stimulate their anus and urinary opening so they release the urine and feces , which you can wipe of with the moistened tissue you used for stimulation.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    How lovely of you to rescue these kittens! It's a lot of hard work, good on you. Yes, it certainly is possible that she aspirated formula. I would have her seen by a vet immediately for this. There's nothing you can do for her at home if she has aspirated formula as this can lead to aspiration pneumonia and that requires veterinary care to treat. Newborn kittens are extremely fragile, so any potential problem with should be considered an emergency. I would take her into a vet now for an exam and treatment.

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