# Kitten Not Breathing or Unresponsive: Emergency Steps A kitten who is not breathing needs rescue breathing and a call to a veterinarian right away. If your kitten is unresponsive but still breathing, keep the airway open, keep the body warm, and get to an emergency clinic immediately. This article walks you through what to do in the first few minutes of a kitten not breathing or not responding. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic before or while you start first aid. They can talk you through rescue steps and prepare for your arrival [1]. - If the kitten is not breathing, give rescue breaths. Newborns who are not breathing or are gasping need positive pressure ventilation (breathing support) as early as possible [2]. - If there is no heartbeat, or the heart rate is under 50 beats per minute, start chest compressions at a ratio of 4 compressions to 1 breath [2]. - Wrap the kitten in a towel, keep the head and eyes covered with a cloth, and place it in a dark box with breathing holes for transport [1]. - Never assume a still, cool kitten is gone. Newborns can look lifeless and still respond to warming and breathing support. ## What "Not Breathing or Unresponsive" Actually Looks Like ### Normal kitten breathing and sleep A healthy kitten breathes quietly and steadily. You can see the chest rise and fall, and the sides move in and out. During deep sleep, a kitten may be limp, curled, and slow to wake. That is normal. Gently touch the paw or the ear. A sleeping kitten will twitch, pull the limb back, or wake within a few seconds. Newborn kittens sleep a lot and can be hard to rouse right after a feeding. If the gums are pink, the body feels warm, and the chest is moving, the kitten is probably just asleep. ### What a true emergency looks like A kitten in trouble may be completely still with no chest movement. The gums and tongue may look blue, gray, or white. The body may feel cool. Some kittens gasp, which looks like a slow, open-mouth, choking breath. Others twitch or paddle the legs while unresponsive. A kitten that is not moving but breathing may still be in serious danger if it will not wake when you touch it. Cats in respiratory distress often change posture. They may crouch or sit upright with the neck extended, and they breathe faster and harder [3]. If your cat is struggling to breathe, see [Cat Difficulty Breathing: Emergency Signs and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-difficulty-breathing-emergency). ## Main Causes of a Kitten Not Breathing or Unresponsive | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Newborn transition problems after birth | Not breathing or gasping right after delivery, cool and wet body | Emergency now [2] | | Hypoxia (low oxygen) | Blue gums, gasping, glottis closure that blocks air entry | Emergency now [4] | | Heart problem or abnormal rhythm | No pulse, very slow heart rate, collapse | Emergency now [3][2] | | Breathing disease or fluid around the lungs | Fast, hard breathing, upright posture, open-mouth breathing | Emergency now [3][5] | | Trauma | Fall, crush, bite wound, bleeding, uneven pupils | Emergency now [1][3] | | Poisoning | Drooling, tremors, seizures, known exposure | Emergency now [3] | | Severe low body temperature | Cold to the touch, weak, slow to respond | Emergency now | | Normal deep sleep | Warm, pink gums, steady chest movement, wakes with touch | Not an emergency | In cats with severe breathing trouble, respiratory causes account for about 33% of cases, heart causes about 25%, and trauma and cancer about 21% each [5]. Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) was present in 39% of those cats [5]. That is why a kitten who cannot breathe normally needs a hands-on exam, not a wait-and-see approach. ## Red Flags That Mean Go Now Call an emergency clinic and start driving if you see any of these: - No chest movement at all, or only occasional gasping breaths - No heartbeat, or a heartbeat you cannot feel - Blue, gray, or white gums and tongue - Unresponsive to touch, voice, or a gentle paw pinch - Open-mouth breathing in a cat of any age - A kitten that was fine an hour ago and is now limp - Ongoing seizures, severe bleeding, or a body part sticking out of the skin [3] - A newborn that is cold, wet, and not breathing after birth [2] A kitten that is not responding but breathing is still an emergency. The brain and other organs can be injured within minutes when oxygen delivery is poor. ## What You Can Safely Do at Home While Waiting ### Protect yourself first Any hurt or frightened animal may bite or scratch [1]. Even a tiny kitten can bite hard when it is in distress. Wear gloves if you have them. Use a thick towel to handle the kitten. ### Check breathing and heartbeat Watch the chest for movement. Put your hand flat on the chest just behind the front legs to feel for a heartbeat [1]. Count what you feel for 15 seconds and multiply by four to get beats per minute. ### Open the airway Lay the kitten on its side on a firm surface. Gently extend the neck so it is straight, not bent. Wipe away any fluid, mucus, or milk from the mouth and nose with a clean cloth. Do not put your fingers deep into the throat. You can push material farther down. ### Give rescue breaths If the kitten is not breathing, give small breaths. Newborns need positive pressure ventilation, which means helping air move into the lungs [2]. Use a small syringe barrel, a pediatric bulb, or your mouth over the nose and mouth, and give tiny puffs. A kitten's lungs are the size of a grape. Big breaths can tear the lungs. The glottis (the opening to the windpipe) can close during low oxygen, which blocks air from entering the lungs [4]. Keep giving gentle breaths and get to the vet. Do not stop to check for a pulse every few seconds. ### Start chest compressions if there is no heartbeat If you cannot feel a heartbeat, or the rate is under 50 beats per minute, begin chest compressions [2]. Use a compression to ventilation ratio of 4 compressions to 1 breath [2]. For a tiny kitten, use your thumb and index finger or two fingers on the lower half of the chest. Press down about one third of the chest depth. Keep a steady rhythm, about 100 to 120 compressions per minute. ### Keep the kitten warm and calm Cover the head and eyes with a cloth. Wrap the kitten in a towel to limit movement, then place it in a dark box with breathing holes [1]. Cold makes everything worse. Use a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel, or hold the kitten against your body. Never put a heating pad directly on the skin. ### Call ahead Calling ahead lets the clinic prepare for your arrival [1]. Be ready to describe what happened, when it started, and whether the kitten was just born. Follow the instructions the vet gives you. If your kitten is breathing but will not eat or is fading, see [Cat Not Eating: How Long Before It's an Emergency?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-not-eating-emergency) and [Cat Hiding and Lethargic: Is It an Emergency?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-hiding-lethargic-emergency). ## What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test At the clinic, the team treats the most life-threatening problems first [3]. They will ask what happened and get a short history of your kitten [3]. Then they check whether the kitten is conscious and evaluate the airway, breathing, and circulation [3]. If the kitten is unconscious and not breathing, the vet may place a tube into the windpipe to open the airway and help it breathe [3]. They may give oxygen, warming support, and fluids. For newborns, warming and drying, breathing support, oxygen, and reversal drugs are part of the resuscitation process [2]. Expect a full physical exam, including gum color, heart rate, breathing effort, temperature, and reflexes. The vet may check blood glucose, blood gases, and electrolytes. Chest X-rays or an ultrasound can look for fluid, heart disease, or lung disease. In cats with severe breathing trouble, pleural effusion was found in 39% of cases, so imaging is often needed to find the cause [5]. Treatment depends on the cause. A kitten with fluid around the lungs may need it drained. A kitten with a slow heart rate may need drugs and continued breathing support. A cold newborn needs slow warming, because fast warming can cause shock. ## Prevention and Monitoring ### For newborn kittens Keep the delivery area warm, dry, and quiet. Dry each kitten right away with a clean towel. Clear the nose and mouth. Watch for breathing within the first minute. Newborns who are not breathing or gasping need help right away [2]. Weigh kittens daily and track feeding. A kitten that is losing weight or feels cool needs a vet visit the same day. ### For older kittens and cats Keep small kittens away from open windows, stairs, hot stoves, and electrical cords. Store medications, human foods, and household cleaners out of reach. Use a carrier for car rides. Watch for early warning signs like fast breathing, hiding, or refusing food. A cat breathing fast at rest or during sleep may be in trouble. See [Cat Breathing Fast: Emergency or Normal?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-breathing-fast-emergency) and [Cat Breathing Fast While Sleeping: When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-breathing-fast-sleeping-worry). Know your cat's normal breathing rate at rest. Count the chest movements for 15 seconds and multiply by four. A normal resting rate for a cat is usually under 30 breaths per minute. Write it down so you can compare later. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific kitten. Only a veterinarian who examines your kitten can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Call an emergency clinic now if your kitten is not breathing, has no heartbeat, is unresponsive, has blue or white gums, is gasping, or is having ongoing seizures. Do not wait to see if it improves. Call your regular vet the same day if your kitten is breathing but very weak, will not eat, feels cool, or is breathing faster than normal at rest. A routine visit is fine for a kitten that is bright, eating, and breathing normally but has a mild change you want checked. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can a kitten be unresponsive but still breathing? Yes, and it is still an emergency. A kitten that will not wake when you touch it, call to it, or pinch a paw may have low oxygen, low blood sugar, a heart problem, or a head injury. Keep the airway open, keep the kitten warm, and go to a vet right away. ### How do I know if my kitten is asleep or unconscious? A sleeping kitten wakes or reacts within a few seconds when you touch a paw or ear. An unconscious kitten stays limp and does not respond at all. Check the gums. Pink and warm is a good sign. Blue, gray, white, or cold gums mean trouble. ### What should I do if my newborn kitten is not breathing after birth? Dry the kitten, clear the nose and mouth, and give gentle rescue breaths while someone calls the vet. Newborns who are not breathing or gasping need breathing support as early as possible [2]. If there is no heartbeat or the rate is under 50 beats per minute, start chest compressions at 4 compressions to 1 breath [2]. ### Why does my kitten twitch while not breathing? Twitching or paddling can happen when the brain is not getting enough oxygen. It can also happen during a seizure. Both are emergencies. Do not hold the kitten down hard or put anything in its mouth. Keep it warm, protect it from falling, and get to a vet now. ### Can I do CPR on a kitten at home? You can start rescue breaths and chest compressions while you drive to the clinic or wait for help. Use tiny breaths and a 4 to 1 compression to ventilation ratio [2]. Call the clinic first so they can guide you and get ready for your arrival [1]. ## Related Articles - [Cat Difficulty Breathing: Emergency Signs and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-difficulty-breathing-emergency) - [Cat Breathing Fast: Emergency or Normal?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-breathing-fast-emergency) - [Cat Not Eating: How Long Before It's an Emergency?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-not-eating-emergency) - [Cat Hiding and Lethargic: Is It an Emergency?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-hiding-lethargic-emergency) - [Cat Breathing Fast While Sleeping: When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-breathing-fast-sleeping-worry) - [Cat Shaking or Trembling: Is It an Emergency?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-shaking-when-emergency) ## References 1. [What to Do in a Dog or Cat Emergency - Special Pet Topics](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/emergencies/what-to-do-in-a-dog-or-cat-emergency). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Update on Newborn Resuscitation in Dogs and Cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40973417/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 2025. 3. [Evaluation and Initial Treatment of Dog and Cat Emergencies - Special Pet Topics](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/emergencies/evaluation-and-initial-treatment-of-dog-and-cat-emergencies). Merck Veterinary Manual. 4. [Hypoxia inhibits breathing and causes the glottis to close in preterm rabbit kittens at birth](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41611952/). Pediatric research, 2026. 5. [Emergency Dyspnea in 258 Cats: Insights from the French RAPID CAT Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40266956/). Veterinary sciences, 2025. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information)