How to Take Your Cat’s Temperature? What Is Normal Temperature in Cats?

Generally, cats try to remain quiet when they are sick. This makes it arduous to understand whether the cat is ill or not until you perform a physical examination. When you touch the cat’s body to check the temperature and find it warm then, ‘does it mean a normal temperature?’

Wondering what is a Normal Cat Temperature? Well, every feline is different in terms of temperature and behavior. Likewise, the way their bodies work also remains different. Even the normal body temperature of a cat differs between cats. Then, how to confirm if your cat has a high or low temperature? 

By having some knowledge about the baseline vitals of a cat like its normal temperature, healthy heart rate, etc., you can get a perfect pulse on the cat’s health. As a pet parent, you’re the cat’s first bodyguard. So, educate yourself initially about the normal and abnormal temperature in cats, the type of thermometer to be used to get the temperature, and more.

When Should I Take My Cat’s Temperature?

If you feel your cat’s body is hotter than usual then, it’s when you must take your cat’s temperature. If you think that your Cat Body Temperature is fluctuating then, it indicates that there’s some underlying medical condition in the cat. If you want to monitor your feline’s health, the best way is to check the body temperature.

If your cat is suffering from a fever, you can witness a temperature rise. Apart from the increase in temperature of the cat’s body, the feline may experience some other symptoms that include loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, behavioral changes, and sometimes unconsciousness. 

How To Take My Cat’s Temperature At Home?

The entire process to take the cat’s temperature at home takes only a few minutes provided the feline isn’t stopping you. In general, the temperature of the cat can be taken either rectally or through the ear. However, rectal temperatures are precise.

If you are not fully aware of ‘How To Take A Cat’s Temperature’ then, this article is for you, pet parents. Well, it’s a challenging thing to take a cat’s temperature rectally at home. There are different types of thermometers using which you can take the cat’s body temperature. 

Take your Cat’s Temperature via the Rectum

If you want to check the temperature rectally, you can use a rectal thermometer. If you want to take the temperature through your ears, use a digital thermometer. Before proceeding to take a cat’s temperature at home, be sure you have arranged all the necessary things.

Gather all the Required Things

The first and foremost thing is to arrange the necessary supplies to take the rectal temperature of the cat at home. Rectal Thermometer is specially designed for pets to measure their body temperature. Here’s a list of things necessary to take the cat’s temperature rectally at home.

• Rectal Thermometer [Digital or Glass Thermometer]
• Water-soluble lubricant [Free of any fragrance]
• A Towel [Paper/Cloth]
• Alcohol
• Timer with Second Hand

Lubricate the Thermometer

Switch on the thermometer and set it to zero. Prepare the thermometer by lubricating it with any kind of jelly. Use any water-soluble and fragrance-free jelly such as Vaseline, petroleum jelly, or KY jelly. The tip of the thermometer must be coated with the lubricant so that it can be easily inserted. 

Prepare your Cat

The next step is to prepare your cat to check the body temperature. For that, just hold the cat gently, or if required, you need another person to hold the cat between the next and its shoulders. 

The next step is to prepare your cat to check the body temperature. For that, just hold the cat gently, or if required, you need another person to hold the cat between the next and its shoulders. 

If you don’t have a second person’s help then, you must place the cat on the counter and hold the cat securely with your arm. Make sure that the cat’s back is facing forward and the cat’s tail should be towards your hand. If required, you can simply wrap the cat in a towel.

Insert the Thermometer

Once you’re done with the cat’s position, lift the cat’s tail gently and insert the thermometer in its rectum steadily. Make sure the thermometer is inserted at least half to one inch deep into the anus. You will feel the sphincter muscle resistance and soon the cat’s muscles will relax.

Hold it for a few minutes

Hold the thermometer for about 2 minutes until the thermometer makes a beep sound. You can get the sound only if it’s a digital thermometer. If it is a glass thermometer, use a timer to see how much time is needed to get the temperature. As it is a glass thermometer, it might take more time than a digital one. Meanwhile, speak to your cat with a soothing voice to divert the cat. 

Remove, Note & Clean

Slowly remove the thermometer after getting the beep sound. Note down the temperature as you see on the thermometer. Make a note of the temperature along with the date and time. 

The next step is to wash the thermometer thoroughly with warm water and disinfectant soap. Make sure you wash your hands well as well as the sink where you have cleaned the thermometer.

The cat feces may contain harmful bacteria. Hence, it is important to clean everything involved in this process. Clean the thermometer and keep it in a place so that you can use it for the next time.

Special Treat

Give a special treat to your cat like giving its favorite meal or a small snack after finishing the procedure. To stay so long calm and composed, give a treat to your feline friend.

Take your cat’s temperature through its EAR

If you are seeking to take the temperature of your cat through its ear, your cat may not resist you as it does when done via the anus. Still, it can be difficult to take the cat’s temperature via the ear. Taking the cat’s temperature through the ear requires an exact location. 

The thermometer needs to be placed in the precise spot in the ear to get an accurate body temperature reading. Although your cat bears itself while taking the temperature compared to the rectal procedure, the pet may strive hard to move away from you.

If the cat is fighting back then, grab hold of the cat using a scruff around its neck. This will calm down the cat for some time. If you are taking the temperature of the cat via the ear canal, you need not lubricate the thermometer before insertion. 

Place the digital thermometer in the ear of the cat. Make sure you hold the thermometer horizontally ensuring that the cat’s head is still. Once the thermometer makes a beep sound, slowly remove the thermometer from the cat’s ear. Release your cat and take the reading from the thermometer. Clean the thermometer thoroughly with warm water and preserve it for further use.

Which Type Of Thermometer Should Be Used To Take My Cat’s Temperature?

Two different types of thermometers can be used to measure the cat’s temperature. Digital and Rectal thermometers are generally used to take any pet’s temperature. Both methods are challenging as the cat tries to resist while taking the temperature.

Digital thermometers can be used to check the temperature of the cat through its ear. Digital Thermometers can easily read the temperature as they comprise a display. The reading is taken in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Digital thermometers are calibrated automatically once it is turned on. 

Digital thermometers can be inserted into the ear canal or close to the eardrum to get the precise temperature of the cat. If there is wax, hair, and debris inside the ear canal, it may impact the accuracy of the reading. As there are different shapes and sizes of cat’s ear canals, digital temperature readings may not be accurate all the time.

Rectal thermometers are used to check the cat’s temperature through its rectum. Rectal thermometers that are of glass type comprise mercury inside the glass. 

Reading the temperature through a glass rectal thermometer is slightly tricky but, you can still check it by rolling the thermometer back and forth horizontally. By doing so, you can see the silver column of mercury. Rectal glass thermometers are very fragile and require thorough cleaning.

How To Position My Cat To Take The Temperature?

Placing your cat in the right position is important to take the temperature rectally or through the ear. Make sure the cat is under your arm without causing any inconvenience to it. If you place the feline like a cat burrito, the cat feels more secure inside the soft blanket.

When you hold the cat all by yourself, you need to hold the cat firmly against your side ensuring that their backside is facing forward. If you can’t handle the cat alone, you can take a second person’s help. When the second person holds the cat, it should be between the neck and the shoulders.

If you are taking the temperature of the cat through its ear, you need to hold the cat steadily in your hands. If the cat is trying to get down, you need to grab it by its neck scruff so that the feline calms down very soon.

What Is the Normal Temperature In Cats?

The Cat Normal Temperature will be between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3°C to 39.2°C. However, in some felines, we may witness a temperature of 99°F. In some other cats, the normal temperature could be 103°F. It doesn’t indicate that the cat is sick or ill. In a few cats, the normal temperature may be high.

 If the temperature in cats exceeds 103°F or declines below 99°F then, it may indicate a serious illness in the cat. In such a case, you must immediately take the cat to the vet. Several factors may influence the cat’s body temperature such as age, and breed type.

What Is Abnormal Temperature In Cats?

Sadly, there is no precise list of symptoms that indicate high and low body temperatures in cats. High body temperature in cats is called Hyperthermic and low body temperature in cats is known as Hypothermic. When the body temperature of the cat is too high or too low then, it is referred to as abnormal temperature in cats.

Hypothermic cats may shiver or tremble a lot. Such cats feel lethargic and can’t stay alert like other healthy cats. On the other hand, hyperthermic cats also remain lethargic quite often. To overcome their increased body heat, hyperthermic cats may pant excessively. Also, the gums of the cat turn dark red. 

As these symptoms are associated with other medical issues, it may be difficult for you to understand whether the cat is hypothermic or hyperthermic.

When To See A Vet About Cat’s Temperature?

The normal Cat Temperature Range will be between 100.5°F and 102.5°F. If this range goes high or falls then, it indicates the cat is feeling ill. Double-check the body temperature of your cat to find if there is any mistake in the reading. 

Even after checking the temperature of the cat twice, it appears abnormal then, it is considered a sickness in cats. In some cases, the temperature may fluctuate for some time. So, try to calm down the cat and let it take a rest for 10 minutes. 

Once again, try to take the temperature readings of your cat. If the temperature is abnormally low or high, it’s time to consult the veterinarian. Apart from the temperature readings, if you witness any other associated symptoms in your cat then, it is a worrisome situation. 

Some of the symptoms include vomiting, loss of consciousness, lethargy, loss of appetite, behavioral changes, etc. Hence, any reading lower than the Cat Normal Temperature then, it is considered as a medical emergency.

There could be various reasons behind elevated body temperature temporarily. It includes staying in the sun for a long time, indulging in physical activity for more time than usual, etc. Before taking the cat to the vet, make sure you check whether your cat has engaged in physical activities or not.

FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to the normal temperature of a cat. Go through the FAQs as well as the answers to these questions furnished below.

Conclusion

That’s all! This is everything you need to know about the Normal Cat Temperature. Through this guide, we have explained everything about the process of taking a cat’s body temperature, the types of thermometers, the position to take a cat’s temperature, and more. 

We hope this article has given adequate information about the normal and abnormal temperatures in felines. If you still have any queries about this article, let us know in the comments section. 

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