A normal temperature in cats ranges from 38 to 39 degrees Celsius. It can vary depending on age and time of day. Fever can be caused by illness, but sometimes it's normal.
Norm
For newly grown kittens, the norm is considered to be 38.5-39.5 °C, and for newborns it increases to 40-40.5 °C.
There are other circumstances when an elevated temperature is considered normal. These include:
- period of active games and running;
- time after eating, especially in sucklings;
- 2-3 days after surgery;
- the first hours after birth in cats.
If the thermometer readings are outside the acceptable range for unknown reasons, your pet should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.
How to measure temperature
If you don't have an electronic thermometer, you can use a regular one.
Temperature is measured with a thermometer. It's best if it's electronic. So:
- Lay the animal on its side and move its tail back. You can allow the animal to sit on all fours, with its tail raised before the procedure.
- Lightly lubricate the tip of the thermometer with Vaseline and insert it into the anus to a depth of 2 cm.
- It's important to ensure the animal remains still. This can be done with the help of a second person, who can hold the cat's front paws with one hand and its scruff with the other.
- After 3 minutes, remove the thermometer and record the result, and treat the thermometer with boric alcohol.
What to do if you have high or low blood pressure
If your animal's health changes at any point, the best solution is to consult a specialist.
Any deviation from the norm is a cause for concern. A high temperature can be caused by inflammation, while a low temperature indicates a decrease in the animal's overall tone, which can also be a sign of diseases such as endocrine, cardiac, and renal ones.
You shouldn't try to lower a cat's fever without a diagnosis, nor should you treat it with human medications. Veterinary medicine uses different medications and dosages. You can briefly wrap your pet in a damp, wrung-out towel and take them to the vet.
A temperature of 40 degrees Celsius is considered critical. This means the cat is seriously suffering, and in addition to the fever, it may also be experiencing pain. Delaying a visit to the vet can lead to serious complications, including death.
