Pneumonia in kittens: signs and care

Pneumonia is inflammation or infection in the lungs. A kitten may cough, breathe rapidly, have nasal discharge, fever, chills, low energy, or stop nursing and eating. Weakness, weight loss, vomiting, or breathing with the mouth open are especially concerning. Causes include infection and inhaled milk or food, and a veterinarian may need to examine the mouth, chest, hydration, and oxygen level. Other cats in the household may need assessment if infection could spread.

Call a veterinarian as soon as pneumonia is suspected. Keep the kitten warm but prevent overheating, reduce handling, and separate it from other cats until advice is given. Wipe nasal discharge gently if it interferes with breathing. Offer food or milk only when the kitten is alert and swallowing normally; never syringe-feed a breathless kitten because material can enter the lungs. Give prescribed medicines exactly as directed and avoid human products or leftover antibiotics.

Go to emergency veterinary care for open-mouth breathing, blue or grey gums, severe effort at the chest or abdomen, collapse, inability to swallow, repeated choking, or inability to wake normally. A kitten that feels cold, becomes limp, or stops feeding needs urgent attention even if coughing is absent. Keep transport quiet and warm, and phone ahead if possible.

Ask whether infection or aspiration is suspected, whether chest imaging or oxygen support is needed, how to feed safely, how to separate household cats, and when weight and breathing should be checked again. Request clear instructions for every medicine and emergency warning sign.