Kittens’ sneezing while feeding them is a common event for most kitten owners. It is a natural reflex that helps them to expel formula that may have entered their respiratory tract. Yet, sometimes, your kitten may feel difficulty doing so and will need your help.
So, how to help a kitten sneeze out formula? Stop feeding it immediately, hold it upside down, and gently pat the back of the kitty. You can give it a plain saline nasal drop and use steam to stimulate its sneezing. If none of this works, or if your kitten shows signs of severe distress, the problem can be critical, and you need to consult a veterinarian immediately. In this article, we will show some steps we have followed to help our kitten, Muezza, sneeze out formula. Hence, let’s dive into the article.
Why Do Kittens Need To Sneeze Out Formula?
If your kitten accidentally inhales formula while feeding, it will need to sneeze it out. This action helps prevent the serious risk of aspiration pneumonia and other respiratory complications.
Generally, sneezing will help your kitty remove any formula blocking the airways or causing irritation. After sneezing, the cat will be able to expel the formula from its respiratory tract. Then, it can restore normal breathing and comfort. But, if a kitten is unable to sneeze out the formula on its own, your intervention will be essential to ensure its well-being.
Commonly, you may need to face this type of issue if:
- You are feeding your cat while keeping it on its back.
- The kitty is moving too much when you are feeding it.
- The hole of the feeder is too large for your kitten, and it’s taking much more formula than it can handle.
- Your kitten has a cleft palate, which significantly increases the risk of formula getting into their respiratory tract.
How To Help Kitten Sneeze Out Formula?
Our Muezza used to face difficulty sneezing out formula. Then, we had to approach the situation with great care.
So, if you are also facing the same issue, here are some steps you can take to assist the kitten:
Step 1: Stop Feeding Immediately
If you find discharge or bubbles coming out from your pet’s nose, stop feeding it immediately. Continuing to feed will only make the situation worse. Thus, it’s necessary to keep a close eye on your kitten if it’s struggling to suckle the formula or showing any signs of distress.
Step 2: Proper Positioning
Upon noticing the sign of an issue, you must gently hold your kitten in an upside-down position. This will help gravity drain the formula easily. This position helps your kitten sneeze out any inhaled fluid more effectively. Keep in mind that you need to hold the kitty gently so that it feels comfortable and secure.
Step 3: Gentle Waiting & Observation
You need to wait for some time so that the kitty can expel the milk substitute on its own. Generally, when you hold it in an upside-down position, gravity will help your catling to sneeze naturally. Observe your kitten closely for any signs of continued distress.
Step 4: Soft Stimulation
You can help your pet sneeze by softly stroking its back to encourage the sneezing reflex. Yet, ensure that you are applying only a little, gentle force on its back while doing so. Also, if you gently clean its nose area, this will help to clear any minor blockages in the cat’s nasal passage.
You may need to hold a newborn kitten between your two hands. Then, swing it down gently so that it can expel the fluid.
To get a better idea, consider watching a demonstration from a reputable source like this:
Step 5: Provide Warmth & Steam Therapy
Whenever we noticed our Muezza having difficulty sneezing out formula, we tried to provide warmth and gentle steam. We used to place a bowl of steaming water on a stable surface. Then, we would lean closer toward the bowl, holding Muezza close to our bodies. Alongside, we used to cover our heads and the kitten with a big towel and stay still for about 5 minutes.
This warm steam can help to loosen mucus in its nasal passages and stimulate sneezing to clear its airways. Ensure the kitten is never left unattended with hot water and can easily breathe.
Step 6: Administer Saline Nasal Drops
You can give your catling a plain saline nasal drop to help clear out its nasal passage. This type of nasal saline is safe for cats and is widely used to stimulate sneezing in kittens. You just need to apply a few drops of the solution to each of its nostrils gently.
Step 7: Consult A Vet Immediately
If your kitten still fails to sneeze out the milk substitute, or if it shows any signs of difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, lethargy, or bluish gums, you need to consult a vet immediately. These can be signs of aspiration pneumonia, a severe and potentially fatal condition where fluid enters the lungs. In severe cases, you may also hear raspy sounds, crackling, or wheezing coming from your kitty’s lungs.
After examining and inspecting the catling’s condition, a vet will prescribe proper medications and provide critical support. Failing to take your cat to a vet within the correct time can lead to severe bacterial infections, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, or even death due to inhaling the formula.
How To Prevent Kittens from Inhaling Formula?
To prevent kittens from inhaling formula during feeding, you can take the following precautions:
- Maintain Proper Feeding Position
You should feed your feline friend while keeping it lying on its belly. It may crouch towards the ground when you are feeding it. Yet, catlings can eat easily if you hold the feeder in a slightly elevated position.
This position helps to prevent the formula from flowing into the nasal passages or airways.
- Don’t Squeeze The Bottle Forcefully
Whenever we feed our pet kitten, we feed it taking our time. You shouldn’t squeeze the feeding bottle to rush the feeding process. If you squeeze the bottle, too much formula will go into the kitten’s mouth at once, increasing the risk of aspiration.
Thus, instead of forcefully squeezing the feeding syringe or bottle, allow the catling to suckle gently at its own pace.
- Use Appropriate Nipple Hole Size
The hole size of the nipple shouldn’t be too large. The ideal hole size should allow 1-2 drops of formula to flow out easily when the bottle is inverted and gently squeezed. If you find that more than 1-2 drops are flowing at one time, you should replace the nipple.
You can also carefully poke a fine, sterilized needle into the feeding bottle’s nipple to create a smaller, appropriate hole.
- Feed Your Kitten More Frequently (Smaller Amounts)
We recommend feeding in smaller quantities but more frequently. Generally, your kitten will need approximately 8cc of formula per day for each ounce of its body weight.
After 3 weeks, you need to gradually introduce solid food into their diet, slowly reducing the amount of milk replacer.
After 5 weeks, you should provide ample solid food as their primary diet.
Here is a table to give you a better idea:
| Age | Amount of formula per day(ml) | Amount of formula per feeding(ml) | Frequency of feeding per day |
| <1 week | 15-31 | 2-5 | 7 |
| 1 week | 38-61 | 6-9 | 7 |
| 2 weeks | 69-84 | 10-12 | 6-7 |
| >3 weeks | 92-115 | 14-17 | 5-6 |
| >4 weeks | 123-146 | 18-22 | 4-5 |
| >5 weeks | Ample amount of solid foods | 3-4 | |
As the energy requirements of each kitten may vary, your kitten may need less or more formula depending on its body weight and activity level.
- Limit Kitten’s Movement While Feeding
While feeding your kitten, make sure it isn’t moving too much. You can try wrapping your kitty gently in a soft towel, leaving only its head out. In this way, you will be able to limit the catling’s movement while feeding, making it less likely for the formula to get into its respiratory tract.
- Always Follow Veterinarian Guidance
If your kitty keeps sneezing while feeding too frequently, or shows any concerning symptoms, you should always pay a visit to the vet. That’s because the body condition and nutritional requirements of each kitty will vary with its age and health.
Only with the help of a vet will you know the proper guidance on the specific amount, frequency, and techniques of feeding your particular kitty. Your veterinarian is the best resource for personalized advice.
FAQs
This FAQs section will answer a few common questions about the kittens’ sneezing while feeding.
Q: What Can I Do To Help a Kitten with a Cleft Palate While Feeding?
If your kitten has a cleft palate, it may need surgery to lead a fully normal life, depending on the severity. But, if the hole is small, it still can live an almost normal life with special feeding techniques. In this case, you will likely need to feed it very carefully using a dropper or a specialized syringe, ensuring slow and controlled delivery of formula to prevent aspiration. Always follow your vet’s specific instructions for feeding a kitten with a cleft palate.
Q: Is My Kitten Aspirated If It Sneezes While Feeding?
No, it doesn’t necessarily mean your pet is aspirated. Sneezing is often a successful reflex, meaning it is expelling the formula from its respiratory system. However, if your kitten is unable to sneeze out the formula, you may hear it grunting, coughing, or showing other signs of distress, which could indicate aspiration. Any persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or lethargy after feeding warrants immediate veterinary attention.
Q: What If My Kitten Can’t Sneeze Out The Formula?
If your kitten can’t sneeze out the formula, it means the liquid can get into its respiratory tract. Then, the formula can accumulate in its lungs, which may eventually cause severe bacterial infections and inflammation. Ultimately, this can result in life-threatening conditions like aspiration pneumonia, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), or even death. If your kitten cannot clear its airways, or shows any signs of respiratory distress, it is a veterinary emergency. Seek immediate help.
Conclusion
Our Muezza used to sneeze while suckling formula frequently due to our feeding technique. Luckily, our kitten didn’t have any severe issues. We always followed the steps mentioned while discussing how to help a kitten sneeze out formula.
It’s necessary to do so as it prevents the serious risk of aspiration pneumonia, bacterial infections in the lungs, and even death. Moreover, you can prevent the formula from getting into the kitty’s nasal tract by maintaining the proper feeding position and using the correct nipple size. Also, ensure your pet isn’t taking too much formula at once. Remember, when in doubt, or if your kitten shows any signs of severe distress, always contact your veterinarian immediately.
