Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why is my new kitten's voice raspy after I scruffed her?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 2 months and 24 days old | 2 lbs

I'm a new kitten owner and inexperienced. I was told to grab my kitten by the scruff to correct bad behavior, but i just looked that up and found out that its harmful. I feel really bad. Now my kitten has a really raspy voice. Is this connected? and what do i do?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 19th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sullivan. Don't beat yourself up, you didn't know! She should be ok from it and it won't cause her to have a really raspy voice. More than likely, she has a respiratory infection. I'd have her seen by a vet to have the raspy voice treated. And give yourself some grace. You made a mistake, you've learned from it, and it won't happen again. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
My 6 month old kitten has always had a funny voice. I'm an SLP, so I know a little about voice. It's clear that he has difficulty getting his vocal folds to vibrate in a normal manner - his voice sounds strained, harsh, and either high pitched and sq
I wouldn't be concerned if this is how he has always sounded. Upper respiratory infections are very common in young kittens and sometimes swelling can affect the vocal folds - it's possible that he had some scar tissue formed. It's also possible that this is how he was born. If he does have trouble swallowing or breathing, or if he regurgitates or vomits you should see your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Misty’s meowing sounds very raspy, what can I do? Is she getting a cold?
Voice change can be caused by many things. Cats do not get colds like people do. Most cats are exposed to several upper respiratory viruses over their lifetime that can flare up occasionally causing sneezing, runny eyes or nose, and occasionally voice change. A change can also occur with anything going on with the larynx (voice box) including trauma, masses (benign or malignant), nerve or muscle disorders, etc. Additionally some cats who have asthma or heartworm disease may manifest this with a voice change. So, if your kitty is exhibiting any other symptoms and/or is not feeling well the best plan would be to have your family vet examine her. If upper respiratory virus related and she is otherwise normal it may run its course in a few days to a week. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why my kittens meow is weak and raspy . also her breathing can get a little rough when trying to purr or meow . And she sleeps a lot
Hello. It sounds like your kitten has a respiratory infection. Kittens are prone to lots of different infections but I would have her seen by your vet as soon as you can because she probably needs medication to clear whatever is causing the raspy breathing. There is also a chance she could have feline asthma and they can check for that with an x-ray. Best of luck to you and your kitten!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
We picked up Ally as a stray. She has a bit of a rasp after she meows? She sleeps a lot and is not very playful for a kitten. Any solutions?
HI, you did a good thing by rescuing a stray. Now the next step is to take her to the vet for an exam and vaccines. It sounds like she could have a respiratory infection and needs antibiotics. It is important that she eats and cats with respiratory infections often stop eating because of nasal congestion. Feed her canned kitten food 3-4 times a day depending on how old she is. You can also use human nasal drops for congestion relief and put one drop in each nostril. This will help, but it is important to take her to the vet before this gets worse. Good luck with your new kitten!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
My kitten has a raspy meow, sometimes can't even meow at all. She also sounds like she has mucus stuck in her throat. And now today she seems less hungry and having a hard time breathing. Do you have any opinions on what is wrong with her so I know w
It could be that Serenity has a respiratory infection, but what really concerns me is that she is having a hard time breathing. That could easily lead to respiratory distress and potentially death. Because of this, I think she needs to see a vet now to be safe. Please take her into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My kitten has lost her voice. What should I for her to regain her voice. Thanks
Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign is often secondary to an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a pharyngitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Hi, our 11 week old kitten is meowing weirdly. Sometimes its a normal meow, other times its broken up. Like shes losing her voice. She hasnt been off, per say. Very active and lively, even gaining some much needed weight. Is this normal?
Congrats on getting a sweet kitten! I don’t think there is a major cause for concern here. You can try to get it on video and then show your vet next time she goes in for a checkup, but as long as she’s eating normally, is active and happy, gaining weight, and not showing any other symptoms, I don’t think you need to worry. Sometimes kittens sort of play with their voice, figuring out their different sounds. Thanks for asking Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My kitten is acting normal (eating enough, playful, wants cuddles) but has a raspy meow and will cough or weeze on occasion. Should I be concerned? She’s been doing this for a little over a day.
It sounds like Cleopatra may be picking up an infection. Viral infections and bacterial infections are common. Allergies are also possible but less likely. Go ahead and get Cleopatra started on a cat supplement called Lysine. Kittens take 250mg every 12 hours. This may help if it is a viral infection. Monitor her very closely for worsening of the sneezing/wheezing, decreased appetite, lethargy or signs that her eyes may be infected. Sometimes the infections can be mild and self limiting, but sometimes they get worse. If you see any signs of worsening illness, take her in to see her veterinarian. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is very vocal and has been all her life. I came back from a trip and she is now hoarse. Is there anything I can do to help? Will it fix itself?
There is not anything specific to do and it should go back to normal with time. An upper respiratory infection or a growth in the throat can also cause a voice change, so if Pickles has nasal or eye discharge, or if she is also swallowing frequently or breathing abnormally I'd recommend having her examined by your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Ever since I’ve gotten my kitten, it’s been making noises every time it breathes.Im not sure if it nose is stuffed but it sounds like he trying to breathe in mucus ,and the only time he stops making noise is when is he’s sleeping and he’s been doing
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! It sounds as though he might be congested. An upper respiratory tract infection (URI) due to a viral or bacterial infection is the most common reason for congestion in kittens. Common signs of a URI are: congestion, raspy throat breathing, nasal or eye discharge, sneezing and coughing. Herpes virus is the most common cause and usually runs it's course but it can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. If the nasal discharge is yellow or green, he is lethargic and not eating well that indicates a need to be seen by your Vet. If he is eating and drinking then you can watch him since it has only been 2 days since you adopted him. If his symptoms persist for a week or more then he should be seen. Have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Food Wet Cat Food Cat Health & Wellness Cat First Aid Cat Allergy & Itch Relief Kitten Food Cat Medicine Cat Laxatives Cat Asthma Medication Vetnique Labs Cat Health & Wellness Churu Kitten PurrSong Cat Health & Wellness Vetericyn Cat Health & Wellness Vetality Cat Health & Wellness PetAlive Cat Health & Wellness Tomlyn Cat Health & Wellness Soulistic Kitten Food HomeoPet Cat Health & Wellness Pet Kelp Cat Health & Wellness
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored