

If the body temperature is too high or too low, it’s worth also assessing other aspects of your cat’s vital signs There should be just a fine coating of feces, which you should wipe off with moist tissue or cotton.Ĭheck for an increased level of “wetness,” which could indicate diarrhea, or any sign of blood or blackness (indicating digested blood), or excessive mucus, any of which could indicate some type of digestive disorder. It’s worth noting the appearance of the tip of the thermometer after removal from the rectum. Higher temperatures can also be caused by excessive activity or exercise, and exposure to high environmental temperatures.įinally, a specific condition known as “fever of unknown origin” (FUO) happens when no underlying cause of the high temperature can be identified for a cat’s fever. Possible causes include viral or bacterial infections, neoplasia (cancer), and pain, as well as other medical conditions. The most common reason for a high temperature is an immune system reaction that releases chemicals into the bloodstream that raise the temperature above normal. If it is still too high, book an appointment with your veterinarian for a review. Again, to ensure the reading is accurate, record your cat’s body temperature again 15 minutes later. If your pet’s body temperature is over 103 F (39.4 C), it’s too high. Possible causes of low body temperature include general debilitation, serious illness, exposure to cold temperatures outside (e.g. If it is still low, book an urgent appointment with your veterinarian for a review. If you take your cat’s body temperature and it is this low, record the body temperature again 15 minutes later to ensure an accurate reading. If a cat’s body temperature is less than 100 F (37.8 C), it’s too low. There are many possible causes of abnormalities in the body temperature. Causes of Abnormal Body Temperature in Cats Special ear thermometers which take a reading from a cat’s ear are available, but they are not as effective or trustworthy as rectal thermometers.
#BODY TEMPERATURE CONVERSION CHART HOW TO#
Here’s how to safely and accurately take your cat’s temperature: Taking a cat’s temperature is easy to do, and this a helpful skill for all cat owners to learn. These temperature levels are not absolute, but they provide a helpful general guide. If the temperature is over 103 F (39.4 C), it’s too high.If the temperature is below 100 F (37.8 C), it’s too low.

Normal range of temperature is between 101 F and 102.5 F (38.3 C to 39.2 C).The cat’s normal body temperature tends to stay within relatively narrow parameters. Fahrenheit is used most commonly in the United States in Europe and many other countries, centigrade is more likely to be used. This is written as degrees F or degrees C. The body temperature is measured in degrees Fahrenheit or in degrees centigrade (Celsius). In an emergency situation, it can be useful to measure the body temperature as a way of explaining in more detail to your veterinarian what’s going on with your pet. If you record a cat’s vital signs regularly, it can be helpful for your veterinarian. Monitoring your own cat’s body temperature can be a useful way of checking on its general health. When a cat becomes active or stressed, the body temperature may rise slightly, usually along with the breathing rate and heart rate.Īdded to this physiological variation, if a cat is suffering from various diseases, the body temperature can be significantly higher or lower.When a cat is resting, the baseline body temperature tends to be low, as the body is inactive.The temperature only changes from the normal level due to specific circumstances, such as disease or stress. The natural physiology of a cat’s body acts to ensure that the temperature range stays at the normal level all the time. Body temperature is one of the key vital signs of a cat’s health, alongside heart rate and breathing rate. You can easily measure your cat’s body temperature, something that can provide important information about a cat’s wellness or otherwise. Taking your cat’s temperature at home is easy and helpful in the event your cat becomes sick.
