How to Get Kittens to Breathe After Being Born

Newborn kittens are covered with a thin mucus membrane that the mother cat will lick off. This stimulates the kitten to breathe. Sometimes kittens will come in such close succession the mother can't tend to them all at the same time. She may not lick a kitten enough to stimulate breathing, which can be a life-threatening problem. There are steps you can take to help the kitten take its first breath.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft towel
  • Thread or dental floss
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gently wipe the kitten's face with a finger wrapped in a soft towel. Continue to very gently wipe the rest of the body with the towel. A newborn kitten's skin is very fragile, especially around the inner thighs and folds around its flanks. Take special care that you don't wipe too aggressively or you might tear the kitten's skin. Often just wiping the kitten will stimulate breathing.

    • 2

      Cradle the kitten in the towel in the palms of your hands. If the kitten still isn't breathing after you've wiped it with the towel, hold the kitten on its back with its head facing away from you.

    • 3

      Gently swing the kitten down toward the floor. This will make any fluid trapped in its airways move up and out its nose and mouth. Do not swing aggressively. Be sure you have a gentle but firm enough grasp so the kitten won't slip from your hands.

    • 4

      Sever the umbilical cord. Tie a piece of thread or dental floss around the umbilical cord about 1 inch from the kitten's stomach. Tie another piece of thread or floss a bit beyond the first toward the placenta. Cut the cord between the two pieces of thread.