Of course, cats, like people, are exposed to a variety of diseases, as a result of which their temperature rises. If the mustachioed body temperature exceeds 39.44, you should definitely contact a specialist. So, how can you determine a cat’s temperature and understand that it’s time to seek help?

Some owners believe that the temperature of an animal can be judged by its nose. Exists erroneous opinion that if it is dry and hot, then the cat is sick. However, this is not the case; the animal’s condition may be completely normal, so it is not worth determining the temperature in this way. After sleep, you can see just such a nose on a cat. You should worry when pet has dry and hot nose throughout long period, as well as very lethargic and inactive behavior. You can understand that a cat has a temperature only by measuring it correctly.

Two ways to measure a cat's temperature

You should not think that you can measure a cat's temperature by simply placing a thermometer under its paw. There are 2 ways to help you do this correctly.

The thermometer should be placed:

• into the ear canal;
• rectum.

Measuring ear canal temperature

The first method is less effective, but easier. To do this, you should buy a special thermometer, which is designed to measure the temperature in the ear of cats. So, determining the cat’s body temperature in the ear canal is as follows::

• press the animal firmly to the floor, it is better if someone helps you with this;
• insert the thermometer, following the instructions specified by the manufacturer;
• measuring the temperature in this way will take about 2 minutes;
• evaluate the result. If the temperature is less than 37.22 and more than 39.17 then contact a specialist.

Rules for measuring temperature rectally

Of course, the rectal method is not very pleasant for the animal, so the owner must think through everything so as not to cause pain to the animal. However, it will help to accurately determine the temperature of the animal. It is also necessary to calculate all the steps in advance for the operation to be a success.

To do this, you should adhere to the following rules:

• Select a thermometer. Both mercury and digital thermometers are suitable. However, a digital one will help measure body temperature domestic cat much faster. And it makes it possible to use a disposable sleeve.
• Lubricate the thermometer. You can use some special means or take plain Vaseline. This will not only simplify the process, but also save the rectum from damage.
• Hold the animal well. Take the cat under your arm. The tail should be in front of you, and the paws should rest against something hard, a table or bedside table; if you do not comply with this condition, the pet may scratch you. It will also be good if someone else helps you hold the animal. The kitten will be calmer if you hold it by the scruff of the neck, and this will help you accurately determine its temperature.
• Insert the thermometer. This must be done at an angle of 90 degrees. It is not recommended to insert the thermometer further than 5 cm. However, the most ideal would be to insert it 2.5 cm.
• Hold the thermometer. It will be easier for you with a digital one, since a digital signal will indicate the end of the procedure, but the mercury one should be held for about 3 minutes. At this time, the cat will try to escape, bite and scratch, but you should not fall for all these tricks. Be sure to complete the job, otherwise you will not get the correct temperature degree.
• Checking the cat's temperature. If the animal's temperature is less than 37.22 degrees or more than 39.44 degrees, then urgently take the mustachioed animal to the veterinarian.
• Process the thermometer. After completing the procedure, it must be wiped with alcohol or soapy water.

Additional symptoms of the disease

When contacting a veterinarian for help, you should also pay attention to following symptoms, if any:

• diarrhea;
• vomit;
• estrus;
• lethargy;
• lack of appetite.

It is these details that will help the specialist accurately determine the cause of the increased or decreased temperature.

Of course, if you can correctly measure a kitten’s temperature and seek help from a specialist in time, you can avoid a lot of trouble, and perhaps even save your pet’s life.

People who have a cat or cat living at home should be aware that these animals may indicate the onset of an inflammatory process. However, not everyone knows what it should be normal temperature in representatives of the cat family, and how to correctly measure the temperature of cats.

Normal values ​​in adult animals

The body temperature of cats should be around 38–39 degrees. These values ​​are considered normal. But it is important to know that thermometer readings sometimes vary depending on the time of day. In addition, the temperature of cats large breeds slightly lower than small ones.

As a rule, an animal that has just woken up or is still sleeping will have lower thermometer readings. This is due to the fact that the cat required a small amount of energy at this time.

A cat's body temperature rises during periods of activity (for example, during play) due to the fact that this requires more energy.

Normal values ​​for kittens

Many people are interested in what is the normal temperature for kittens? In young animals it should be higher than in adults. This is due to the fact that the kitten requires more energy to support vital processes. Normal values ​​for kittens are 38.5–39.5 degrees.

What is the temperature of newborn kittens? For babies who have just been born, values ​​in the range from 40 to 40.5 degrees are considered normal. Therefore, do not panic if the thermometer shows such high values at the kitten.

However, it is not recommended at the first suspicion of feeling unwell measure the temperature of newborns at home. You need to know that immediately after birth, both mother and kittens are in a state of shock. Therefore, it is better to measure your cat’s temperature 3 weeks after birth.

How to take measurements correctly

To determine the animal’s well-being, you need to know how to measure the temperature of cats. You can find out using either a simple mercury thermometer or an electronic thermometer, as well as another, more modern device. However, taking measurements using an electronic thermometer is a more proven option. It makes it much easier to determine a cat’s body temperature, and the values ​​will be more accurate.

There are a number of situations when you need to measure your cat's body temperature. In this case, it is important to know how to correctly and accurately check this indicator at home. While cats are professional at hiding their problems, there are a number of symptoms that can help you guess that the animal is feeling unwell. in the best possible way, for example, he lost his appetite, became lethargic, or vomited. A good knowledge of the cat’s character and its usual behavior will easily allow you to identify suspicious deviations from the norm. At the same time, the only exact way Checking the temperature of a sick pet involves using a thermometer. Once you have taken an accurate temperature, you can discuss your cat's health with your veterinarian.

Steps

Measuring temperature with a rectal thermometer

Buy a rectal thermometer. A cat's temperature can be measured with either a rectal thermometer or an ear thermometer. Rectal thermometers are considered the most accurate. As for their types, you have a choice between digital and mercury rectal thermometers.

• Digital thermometers allow you to measure temperature in less time, which makes the procedure less unpleasant for the animal.
• Mercury thermometers are made of glass. You will have to take many precautions to successfully measure the temperature of a struggling cat.
• Regardless of the type of thermometer you choose, you should be sure to label it as a special cat thermometer so that no one accidentally takes it by mistake to measure their own temperature.

1. Find a helper. Naturally, the cat will not be happy that some kind of foreign object. Most likely, the cat will start to struggle and try to escape; he may even accidentally scratch you. Therefore, you will have to ask someone to hold the cat to secure it in a stationary position.

   Wrap the cat in a blanket or towel. The easiest way to immobilize a cat is to use a small blanket or towel. A swaddled animal is easier to control and keep still.

   • To swaddle your cat, simply wrap the blanket around him, leaving his tail and butt sticking out.

2. Wear thick leather gloves to grab the cat's scruff. Many veterinarians prefer to swaddle cats to take their temperature, but if you don't want to wrap your cat in a blanket, you can have an assistant simply hold the animal. This person should wear thick leather gloves to protect themselves from accidental bites and scratches. Then he should grab the cat by the scruff - the area of ​​the neck between the head and shoulder blades. Gently grasping the skin in this area allows for the best control of the cat's head.

   • Since the cat usually carries kittens by the scruff of the neck, this grip also has some calming effect on the animal.

3. Secure your pet's body. After the assistant grabs the cat by the scruff, he needs to fix the animal’s body, pressing it with his free hand to own body. Make sure your cat's butt is facing outward to make it easier for you to get to her with the thermometer.

   • To easily explain the correct approach to restraining a cat's body, imagine that you are grasping a soccer ball with one hand.

4. Prepare a thermometer. When using a mercury thermometer, you must first shake it off with sharp flicks of your wrist. The thermometer should be shaken to a mercury reading of 35.5°C. Regardless of the type of rectal thermometer, it also needs to be lubricated so that the temperature measurement procedure is not so unpleasant for your pet.

   • You can use simple Vaseline as a lubricant for these purposes.

5. Insert the thermometer into the anus. Lift your cat's tail and insert the rectal thermometer about an inch into his rectum. Don't try too hard.

   Wait required quantity time. The digital thermometer will beep as soon as the temperature measurement is completed. If using a mercury thermometer, you will need to wait two minutes.

   Remove the thermometer and check the temperature. After two minutes or after the thermometer beeps, it can be removed. A digital thermometer will allow you to easily read the temperature, while a mercury thermometer will have to be rotated at a certain angle to view the mercury column and mark the corresponding value on the thermometer scale. The temperature in a mercury thermometer is determined by highest point mercury column.

   Release the cat. The cat will struggle and try to escape as quickly as possible. Carefully release the animal's scruff or unwrap it so that the cat does not scratch either you or your helper.

   Compare the temperature value with the permissible standard. For the temperature measured rectally, values ​​within 37.8-39.2°C are considered normal. As with humans, slight deviations from the specified norm are not necessarily a cause for concern. However, if your cat's temperature is below 37.2°C or above 40°C, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

   • Remember that normal value temperature does not always confirm that your cat is healthy and not injured. If your pet continues to behave in an unusual manner or you have further reason to suspect that your pet has an illness or injury, it is best to contact your veterinarian.

6. Measuring temperature with an ear thermometer

   1. Buy a digital ear thermometer. There are pros and cons to using an ear thermometer. This device is easier to use for particularly shy cats who strongly resist measuring temperature rectally. However, it is quite difficult to insert such a thermometer into the ear canal correctly, so it is not always possible to obtain accurate temperature measurement results.

Body temperature is an indicator of the state of the body and a measure of the adequacy of the reaction to external and/or internal changes. This indicator is used in a comprehensive assessment of the cat’s condition if something is bothering it or significant, noticeable transformations occur in the body.

While for a person 36.6 degrees is a normal average temperature, for a cat it is a pathology that indicates severe hypothermia or a significant loss of strength. The normal temperature for domestic cats is 38.0-39.0°C (+ 0.5°C), and its fluctuations do not depend on the breed.

An elevated body temperature in a cat is considered to be 39.5°C or more. An increase in temperature (t°C) can be caused by infectious and non-infectious causes.
Non-infectious causes of increased t°C:

But before taking the animal to the veterinarian, the owner must understand for himself whether the cat’s temperature is elevated or not by measuring it. There are two ways to determine an animal's body temperature: measurement using special device– a thermometer and without using a thermometer. It is clear that without a thermometer you cannot get exact numbers of body t°C, but you can figure out whether to sound the alarm and run to the vet or take a wait-and-see approach.

Signs of increased body temperature in cats and ways to determine it without a thermometer

1. Condition of the nose. When the cat is calmly awake, it should be cool and wet. At motor activity The cat's nose may become warm and dry during sleep. But if the nose is dry and hot for more than a day, even with a decrease in physical activity, then most likely the pet has a fever.
2. Trembling in the body and chills in a pet at normal room temperature indicate an increase in body temperature.
3. Oddities in behavior: the cat is non-contact (), refuses food.
4. Tension of the muscles of the limbs is observed - the animal sits on all 4 legs and does not lie down.
5. Prominent third eyelid even when awake (usually only visible when the cat is asleep).

But the above signs are very subjective, so for accuracy it is better to use a thermometer.

Types of thermometers for measuring the temperature of a cat

1. Electronic rectal thermometer. Equipped with a temperature sensor and display, it emits a sound signal upon completion of t°C measurement. Accurate enough, it does not have to be inserted deep into the rectum. Disadvantages: expensive, short term service, the impossibility of high-quality disinfection and replacement of a failed battery.
2. Electronic universal thermometer. Accurate, inexpensive, lasts a long time due to its resistance to external mechanical influences, and can be disinfected many times. Disadvantages: you have to insert it into the rectum to a depth of at least 1 cm and hold it for at least 2 minutes, hence the pain syndrome.
3. Standard mercury thermometer. Glass, familiar from Soviet times, cheap and reusable. Disadvantages include the danger of mercury spillage due to the instability of glass external influences and long measurement times (5 minutes or more).

Algorithm for measuring a cat's temperature:

1. The owner must first understand for himself whether he can cope with such manipulation alone. If your pet is large, muscular, restless or has a fighting temperament, then it is better to ask someone to help.
2. Prevention of infection. The thermometer must be clean; if it has a sensor, then the latter should be sterilized before insertion into the rectum.
3. Paw fixation. Wrap the animal in a blanket, sheet or blanket. Only the head and tail with the anus remain outside.
4. For better insertion of the thermometer, lubricate its tip with Vaseline or other non-irritating oil.
5. Direct insertion procedure: lift the cat’s tail, and, holding her tightly to you, slowly and carefully, with smooth rotating movements, insert the tip with the sensor 1 cm deep into the intestine (preferably 7 mm, so that the animal does not feel so much pain).
6. An electronic thermometer will beep when measuring the body's t°C, while a mercury thermometer will have to be held for about five minutes.

In this article I will talk about how and why you need to measure a cat’s temperature, as well as how to learn about possible thermometry without a thermometer at hand.

The normal body temperature of these animals is slightly higher than that of humans - the lowest permissible value is 37.8. The upper acceptable limit is 39.0. Temperatures above these indicators indicate the presence of any diseases.

For example, an increased level indicates the presence of any acute diseases in the cat’s body. inflammatory processes. They are accompanied by pain, refusal to eat and lethargy of the animal, as well as functional disorders internal organs.

Hyperthermia is observed in the presence of infectious agents that have a detrimental effect on the cat’s body.

In older animals low temperature is the norm.

Treatment of such is accompanied antibacterial therapy, so when high temperature you should visit a veterinarian immediately.

Low levels may indicate some kind of intoxication, circulatory disorders, or heart disease. Typical for animals after surgical interventions, heavy blood loss.

How to measure a cat's body temperature at home

Any thermometer in the house is suitable for these purposes. However, a cat is not a creature that will sit quietly and wait while a mercury thermometer is in its butt for several minutes, even if it is a small kitten.

Therefore, it is more advisable to use an electronic thermometer.

An electronic thermometer helps you take readings in less than a minute, with the smallest errors. At the same time, the pet feels calmer, and the owner receives less injuries from the paws and teeth of his pet.

There are also infrared thermometers that just need to be applied to the animal’s body to measure the readings. But these devices have a large error and are very expensive.

How to measure rectally

Rectal thermometry is for a cat unpleasant procedure. Therefore, owners need to be patient and courageous in order to make their pet endure a little.

Fixation

A cat can be restrained in different ways.

If the owner has an assistant, then it will be enough to press the animal to the table or floor, holding it by the skin on the withers and sacrum. Unpleasant sensations in this area they will distract the pet from the thermometry itself, and if the animal is pressed tightly and tightly, it will not have the opportunity to escape.

If there is only one owner, then the pet can be wrapped tightly in a blanket, pressed against the body with one hand, the head against the owner’s back, hold the tail with this hand, and insert and hold the thermometer with the other hand.

Preparation

Before measuring, the tip of the thermometer needs to be lubricated. Used as a lubricant Vaseline oil or baby cream.

Lubrication is needed so as not to accidentally damage the rectum and cause even more discomfort to the animal.

Carrying out the procedure

After fixation and preparation, the procedure itself is carried out. The cat's tail moves up or to the side, as is more convenient for the owner.

The thermometer is inserted into the anus with rotational movements, not very deep. Leave for at least five minutes if used mercury thermometer. Electronic thermometer starts beeping after he has determined the readings.

The temperature may be increased by 0.1 - 0.5 degrees due to stress encountered during thermometry. This should be taken into account if the animal is very emotional and active.

Is it possible to measure without a thermometer?

Without a thermometer, it is difficult to accurately determine the temperature of a cat, since it itself will be hot for a person. However, there are some places that will help you understand the presence of hyperthermia:

• Groin area of ​​the abdomen

These areas tend to have less fur. Therefore, they will be significantly hotter if the animal's temperature rises.

The following symptoms also indicate the presence of high readings:

1. Refusal to eat. When the temperature rises or falls, animals, like people, lose interest in. Increase affects nervous system, so cats do not feel hungry at such times.
2. Decreased activity. The cat sleeps a lot, rarely goes to the toilet. The fur becomes dull and begins to fall out more.
3. Sleeps in other places. The animal tends to lie down in warmer or cooler places to warm up or cool down.

If such symptoms are detected, you should conduct thermometry and see a veterinarian to determine an accurate diagnosis.

The cat needs to be force-fed so that the body has the strength to fight inflammation before going to the veterinarian.

Thermometry is diagnostic procedure, which can tell both the owners and the veterinarian a lot. Therefore, it is important to carry it out at home in order to know about the health status of your pet.