Body temperature in cats and kittens: norm and deviations. What is the normal temperature for cats and how to measure it? Causes of low and high temperatures in kittens and adult cats

If your a pet If you are sick, you should know how to measure a cat’s temperature and what temperature is normal for cats. These are the very first steps to check the condition of your beloved animal.

So, how to measure a cat's temperature and what is normal for cats?

When should you check your pet's temperature?

If you notice changes in the behavior and character of your pet, then you need to check its health. There is an opinion among people that you can understand that a cat is sick by dry and warm nose. But this is not entirely true, since this may not be related to the animal’s body temperature.

In the following situations, when one or more of the following symptoms appear, the cat's temperature may decrease or increase:

1) the fur and ears become obviously hot;

2) refusal of any food;

3) increased thirst, the pet cannot get drunk;

4) apathy - the cat shows no interest in anything, hides from everyone;

5) the cat is suddenly afraid of people, does not come close or be picked up;

6) uneven, rapid, hard breath and increased heart rate;

7) dilated pupils and poor coordination;

8) discharge from the nose, ears and eyes, vomiting or chills - it is urgent to find out the cause.

What is the normal temperature for cats?

Normal body temperature for cats is a couple of degrees higher than normal human temperature. Exact value normal temperature for cats is from 38C to 38.5C.

It is important to remember that this value can vary within normal limits with age and even depending on the time of day. So in newborn kittens the temperature can be even lower than human - about 35-36C. Weak kittens may have low temperature, and the mother cat may not pay attention to them, be sure to provide them with warmth by heating the area for them or placing a heating pad. During the first months of a kitten's life, the temperature may also be one degree lower or higher than that of adult cat, but that's absolutely normal.

Regarding the time of day - in the morning the temperature is half a degree lower than in the evening. The temperature can also drop significantly during a pet’s deep sleep - up to 37C. Therefore, you should not measure the temperature of a sleeping animal!

Even healthy cat The temperature may change due to various external factors, for example, when you are on extreme heat, nervous shock (moving or going to the doctor). This normal reaction body and there is no need to worry.

Another important note- body temperature barren rocks cats are the same as furry ones. They feel hotter to the touch compared to our skin, and with furry pets There is no such difference due to the fact that wool serves as a thermal barrier.

How to measure a cat's temperature

If you observe several symptoms of disease, then first of all you need to measure the cat’s temperature. This is usually a bit of a hassle, but in practice it shouldn't be too difficult. At home, you can use a regular thermometer (mercury thermometer), an electronic universal one, or rectal thermometer. The advantage of electronic thermometers is that they give results much faster, and you will cause less inconvenience cat. It is advisable to buy a separate one that will be used only for pets, and family members will use the other one.

The only and most reliable way- This is to measure the temperature rectally. It will be easier if you hold the cat together.

Follow following rules When measuring a cat's temperature:

1) Prepare - trim the cat’s claws so that it cannot accidentally injure its owners.

2) It is important to secure the animal well. There are two options - either use a towel and wrap the animal tightly in a “cocoon”, making sure to hide its paws and hold its head. Or one person holds the cat with both hands - paws and head by the scruff of the neck, and the second one already takes the measurement. The cat must not be allowed to curl up in a ball or tuck its tail between its legs! Be sure to monitor the cat's position.

3) Before and after measuring the temperature, be sure to disinfect the thermometer.

4) Before inserting the thermometer, you need to lubricate it with Vaseline or fatty cream so as not to injure the animal.

5) Raise the tail and insert the thermometer 2-3 cm.

6) Don't sudden movements so as not to frighten the animal. Talk to your cat in a calm tone to calm her down.

7) The mercury thermometer must be held for about three to five minutes; the electronic one will signal completion.

8) Be sure to wipe the thermometer with something containing alcohol. Pet the animal, give favorite treat as an incentive.

Causes of low temperature and what to do

After you have measured the temperature, you need to compare it with normal.

If the temperature is below average, then the following are possible: non-infectious causes:

1) First of all, this is hypothermia. If your pet spent a large number of time indoors/outdoors with low temperatures. At the same temperature, different animals react differently. How far the animal will freeze will depend on the breed and age of the cat.

2) Anesthesia. After operations with anesthesia, the cat's temperature may drop as well as in deep sleep.

3) Injury and shock. If your pet has just been injured or has suffered severe stress, its body temperature may drop temporarily.

4) Diseases associated with cardiovascular system. If there is a problem with the heart or bad work vessels and a decrease in pressure, a constant low temperature is also observed.

What to do when the temperature drops?

Try to warm the animal. Wrap the cat in a blanket, blanket or towel, apply a heating pad or give warm water/soup. Under no circumstances should you attempt to warm an animal in hot water! Abrupt change temperature can cause heart problems!

If the temperature is too low or cannot be raised within a couple of hours, and also if the above reasons are not present, then you should contact your nearest veterinary clinic for testing!

Causes of elevated temperature and what to do

An increase in temperature is very dangerous for cats, as it leads to a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body and problems with functioning. internal organs. Most often, elevated temperature indicates inflammatory processes. At a temperature of 40-41C and above, immediately contact your nearest veterinary clinic!

The reasons may be the following:

1) Various infectious diseases. From a simple cold to viral and fungal infections, when the body tries to fight them by raising the temperature. Be sure to consult a doctor to get tested and identify a specific disease.

2) Poisoning. Often, in addition to disruption digestive system the temperature also rises.

3) Oncological diseases. One of the symptoms is constant increase temperature.

4) Metabolic disorders. For example, older cats may have problems with the glands that are responsible for removing fluids and moisturizing mucous membranes.

5) Reaction to medications or allergens. If you have given your cat any medicine, check side effects temperature increase.

6) Inflammation of the gums, ear or nose diseases. Very often, inflammatory processes in the ear-nose-throat system lead to an increase in temperature.

The importance of such a parameter as a cat’s body temperature cannot be overestimated. Hyper- or hypothermia, in the presence of other warning signs, will tell about the animal’s malaise, prompting the owner to take action.

Normal cat body temperature

The normal temperature of a cat falls within the average range of 38–39 degrees. Higher or lower numbers do not always indicate problems in the body. In order not to panic ahead of time, you need to:

• know the normal temperature for your pet;
• understand the nature of its daily fluctuations;
• understand the reasons for the decrease/increase (if they are caused by illness);
• learn to measure temperature;
• be able to provide first aid.

Temperature of adult cats

When measuring a healthy cat, you may see readings slightly higher or lower than the generally accepted 38–39°, such as 37.2 degrees or 39.4 degrees. Each animal has its own temperature, which does not go beyond the norm, which, however, should not be above 40° and below 37° (such values ​​are already associated with pathology). So, a figure of 39.2° will be fairly standard for an adult cat with a usual temperature of 39°, but will serve as an alarm bell if the animal’s daily temperature is 38°.

This is interesting! Cats, especially young and active ones, are always somewhat “hotter” than cats. More warm body and in cats expecting offspring. Old animals are slightly “colder” than active animals due to inhibition metabolic processes.

In addition, throughout the day, the cat’s body temperature varies by half a degree (in both directions), decreasing during sleep and in the morning, but increasing after eating, outdoor games or in the evening.

Kitten temperature

Newly born animals have their own norms, which is due to the unstable mechanism of thermoregulation. The body temperature of a newborn is in the range of 35.5–36.5 degrees, but gradually increases as they grow older. Values ​​of 38.5–39.5° appear on the thermometer at approximately 3–4 months, as soon as the kitten’s body learns to regulate body temperature.

Breed Features

One persistent misconception is that hairless cats (Canadian Sphynxes, Peterbalds, Ukrainian Levkoys, Don Sphynxes, Bambinos, Elves, Kohans and Dwelfs) have elevated body temperatures. In reality, these cats are not hotter than their “woolen” counterparts, and the feeling of an overheated body arises due to the lack of a layer between the human palm and the cat’s skin. Coat ordinary cats it just doesn’t allow us to feel the real warmth of their bodies.

How to measure temperature correctly

To monitor temperature, you will need to arm yourself with familiar instruments (thermometers) and study the nuances of the upcoming manipulation.

Types of thermometers

If the thermometer is a contact type, let it be personal for your cat. Mercury thermometers are divided into clinical and rectal(with reduced tip). Clinical takes longer to measure, up to 10 minutes, while rectal shows the result after 3 minutes.

Important! Mercury thermometers have a single, but significant drawback: they are easy to break, especially if the animal is restive. Owners of hyperactive cats should pay attention to electronic or infrared devices However, they are not cheap.

• Universal Digital Thermometer (price 100–2000 rubles depending on the model) - produces results in a few seconds or minutes, but assumes an error of 0.1–0.5 degrees.
• Rectal electronic thermometer - thinks much faster, showing the temperature within 10 seconds.
• Non-contact infrared thermometer- works (depending on the brand) at a distance of 2 to 15 cm, displaying the result in 5–10 seconds, with a probable error of about 0.3 degrees.
• Infrared ear thermometer(price 2 thousand rubles) - programmed for a cycle of measurements (8–10), after which the maximum value is displayed on the display. Since the device comes into contact with the skin, its tip is wiped with alcohol before and after the procedure.

Temperature measurement

The manipulation is performed rectally (in the cat's rectum). At this time, be confident and do not shout at the “patient”, but talk to him calmly. It is ideal if you have someone to assist you.

The procedure looks like this:

1. Prepare a table or cabinet where you will take measurements: doing this on your hands is inconvenient and dangerous.
2. Wipe the tip of the thermometer with alcohol liquid, then lubricate it with medical petroleum jelly or vegetable oil(the cream contains perfume fragrances).
3. Shake the mercury thermometer to the 35° mark.
4. Secure the cat in a standing position or lay it on its side. You can wrap the paws in cloth and/or put a veterinary collar on them to help prevent scratches and bites.
5. Lift the tail and carefully insert the tip (2-3 cm) into the anus with rotational movements.
6. After the time specified in the instructions, take out the thermometer, wipe it with alcohol and record the readings.

Important! The measurement result may be incorrect (increasingly) if the cat actively resists the procedure, involuntarily warming up the body. If the mercury thermometer is in anus if it breaks, take it to the clinic.

Actions in case of deviation from the norm

An attentive owner will always understand that something wrong is happening to the cat: they will tell him about it external signs, differing between hyper- and hypothermia.

At reduced temperatures the following are noted:

• bradycardia;
• decreased activity and lethargy;
• hypotension;
• blanching of mucous membranes;
• slow breathing, sharp inhalation/exhalation.
• trying to find a warm place.

At elevated temperatures the following are observed:

• tachycardia;
• chills and fever;
• loss of appetite and refusal to drink water;
• drowsiness and apathy;
• dehydration (with prolonged fever);
• diarrhea and/or vomiting with bad smell(in severe cases).

In general, you should be wary of any deviations from temperature norm, since they can signal various diseases, sometimes very serious.

If the elevated temperature

An increase in temperature can be caused by both diseases and other (non-physiological factors):

• viral diseases - cats usually have distemper (panleukopenia), calicivirus, rhinotracheitis and coronavirus;
• inflammatory processes - often occur when wounds or postoperative sutures become infected;
• overheating - kittens, old and weakened cats that are forced to stay in the heat for a long time, for example, in a car or in a stuffy room, often suffer from it;
• stress often provokes a failure of thermoregulation. The reasons may be a trip in transport, a visit to the veterinarian, a change of owner or place of residence.

This is interesting! The temperature often rises by about 1 degree after vaccination, when the body produces antibodies against viruses, or sterilization (as a reaction to surgery).

Actions at elevated temperatures

If going to the vet is not possible, use the following methods to reduce the fever:

• humidify the air in the room;
• give it to the cat cool water(if you refuse, drink from a syringe without a needle or pipette);
• moisten open areas skin with water;
• wrap in a wet towel;
• Place ice behind your ears, neck, or inner thighs.

Self-treatment, especially with the use of medications designed for human body, not allowed. Antibiotics and antipyretics can negatively affect the cat’s body, causing allergies or liver/kidney problems.

If the low temperature

The reasons why a cat's temperature drops are: internal pathologies And external factors, such as:

But most common cause A decrease in temperature causes hypothermia, which occurs after a cat has been in the cold for a long time.

Actions at low temperatures

If hypothermia is caused by hypothermia, your pet needs to be warmed up quickly:

• wrap in a blanket/plaid;
• place in a warm, wind-free place;
• give warm liquid to drink (you can use a pipette);
• Cover with heating pads or hot water bottles.

If your efforts are ineffective, take the cat to the hospital. There, most likely, she will be given a warm enema and put on a drip with saline solution.

Constant body temperature is one of the defining characteristics of a living warm-blooded organism. The normal body temperature of dogs and cats is 38-39 C. The center of thermoregulation is medulla. There are several mechanisms that ensure constant body temperature. These include sweating, intense breathing open mouth, trembling. A feature of the structure of the skin of dogs and cats is the absence sweat glands on larger surface bodies. They are present only in the skin of the nose and paw pads. Therefore, to cool the body, an additional mechanism is needed, which is open-mouth breathing. From mucous membranes oral cavity A large amount of hot water vapor evaporates, which helps cool the entire body. Shivering, being essentially a muscle contraction, is designed to increase body temperature.

An increase in body temperature (hyperthermia) is often not only a protective mechanism of the body - a reaction to the introduction of foreign agents (viruses, bacteria, protozoa), but also a sign of an inflammatory process.

A decrease in body temperature in cats and dogs (hypothermia) below the physiological norm is a threatening sign that should alert owners. Often the temperature drops in weakened kittens and puppies when viral diseases, in which immunosuppression occurs. Reduced body temperature in cats and dogs in old age can be observed with chronic kidney and/or liver diseases and may not manifest itself symptomatically. The physiological norm is a decrease in temperature in females during the prenatal period (about a day before birth, the temperature decreases by 1 degree). When animals are kept in cold rooms or outdoors at subzero air temperatures, a decrease in body temperature also occurs. The temperature decreases with polytrauma, bleeding, and also during anesthesia.

The processes occurring in the body during hypothermia are associated with a decrease in metabolic rate. Low temperature in dogs and cats is accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, bradycardia (slow heart rate), rare shallow breathing, hypotension (decreased blood pressure), slowing down intestinal motility, reducing diuresis. In general, we can talk about in a state of shock body.

Treatment consists of gradually warming the animal using heating pads and administering an intravenous infusion warm solutions, relief of symptoms of the underlying disease. Constant monitoring of body temperature by thermometry is necessary (it is better to use electronic thermometer with a flexible tip that is inserted into anal hole per length of the metal tip) and oxygen therapy until the condition stabilizes. The main treatment is aimed at eliminating the causes of hypothermia.

TO preventive measures Hypothermia in newborns and young animals may include maintenance temperature regime indoors, prevention viral infections. Required for adult animals reasonable approach to normalize festivities (especially at sub-zero air temperatures); for dwarf and smooth-haired breeds, it is advisable to use special clothing.

Sterilization of cats is an operation aimed at extinguishing sexual functions and hunting in females. It is especially important to monitor the cat in the first three days after surgery, to monitor all indicators general condition, measure the cat’s temperature after sterilization.

Important! In the first three days, the temperature of a sterilized cat will be unstable and may be slightly increased.

An increase in temperature of 1-2 degrees within 24-76 hours after surgery is acceptable, but only if the cat has completely recovered from anesthesia and is gradually returning to normal. usual life. The value of this indicator depends on age, the level of sensitivity and reactivity of the body to tissue damage, anesthesia, and stress.

If temperature indicators do not return to normal on the third day, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian, since such a condition may indicate:

• development acute inflammation, other complications;
• the presence of viruses and bacteria in the body;
• education ;
• internal bleeding;
• severe pain syndrome.

Hyperthermia can occur due to developing peritonitis, suppuration of sutures, and infection penetration into wounds.

Besides high temperature, the cat is lethargic, reluctant to make contact, hides in secluded places, refuses to eat. The nose and earlobes are hot. Thirst increased. Maybe nausea, unstable stool.

If the temperature rises above 39.5-40 degrees, does not subside on the third day or occurs later, this is a critical condition for the body. Take the cat to the clinic, call the veterinarian home. To avoid development serious complications, it is necessary to provide qualified, and in some cases, emergency assistance as soon as possible.

What to do if you have hyperthermia (high temperature)

If your cat has a fever after surgery, move the animal to a cool place, but just make sure there are no drafts. Wipe the cat damp towel. Place a bowl of cool water.

Read also: Cat behavior after sterilization: what to expect from your pet

If your cat's temperature is high, you should absolutely not give your pet human medications to relieve fever.

Important! Analgin, aspirin, paracetamol, other drugs that include acetylsalicylic acid, can cause poisoning and intoxication.

Moreover, it is very difficult to guess correct dosage antipyretic drugs. Necessary medications The doctor will prescribe it after an examination and depending on the root cause.

If a cat has developed inflammation, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunomodulators are used in therapy. In case of infection of the sutures, antiseptic solutions, lotions. In some cases, a course of antibiotic therapy is required.

As already noted, an increase in temperature in sterilized cats is allowed only for three days after surgery. If the indicators do not return to normal, there are signs of deterioration in the condition, contact a veterinarian and take the animal to the clinic. Do not self-medicate, as incorrect actions will cause serious complications.

Reduced body temperature

After sterilization, a cat’s temperature may drop below normal by 0.5-1.5 degrees in the first 12-24 hours, which is considered the physiological norm.

Postoperative hypothermia is caused by previous severe stress, general anesthesia, slowdown of metabolism, metabolic processes in the body, painful shock. Similar condition provokes severe blood loss.

Low temperature may be caused unfavorable conditions microclimate, hypothermia, severe weakening of the body, endocrine pathologies, other chronic diseases or systemic failures in the body of a mustachioed pet.

The following signs indicate the development of hypothermia:

• Cold earlobes, paw pads, body.
• Pale, anemic mucous membranes.
• Half-open eyes.
• Weak response to stimuli.
• Refusal of food.
• Slow heartbeat, weak pulse.
• Trembling, fever, muscle spasms.
• Dryness of the conjunctiva.
• Lack of defecation and urination.
• Decreased activity, drowsiness, depression.
• Indigestion, refusal of food and water.
• Weak shallow breathing.