The normal temperature of a cat should range between 38 and 39.5 ºC, when it is exceeded, the feline is considered to have a fever and, therefore, its he alth is being harmed. Regardless of the cause that causes it, fever is always a sign that the animal is suffering from some type of disease or he alth problem, so identifying it as soon as possible is essential to detect the source and start the best treatment quickly.
Keep in mind that the causes can range from minor problems to more serious illnesses that can even end the life of your cat. That is why knowing how to recognize the symptoms and taking the cat to the vet is of vital importance. To help you, in this article on our site we tell you all about fever in cats, the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention.
Causes of fever in cats
In general, in both dogs and cats, fever occurs when the animal's immune system is activated due to the presence of some specific abnormality in the body. Since not all he alth problems cause it, here are the most common causes that usually develop fever in cats:
- Tumors, which tend to affect older cats more than young ones.
- Viral or bacterial diseases, such as distemper, leukemia or bartonellosis.
- Minor viral, bacterial or fungal infections
- Flu and common cold.
- Pancreatitis.
- Lupus.
- Intake of medicines as a side effect.
Although these are the most common reasons that tend to develop fever, keep in mind that this is not the only symptom they present, so it is essential that you pay attention to the general behavior of your cat to identify the cause and initiate the best treatment. Especially if it is a tumor, distemper or leukemia, you must act quickly; these diseases have a very high mortality rate.
Fever in cats after vaccinations, is it normal?
Yes, fever in cats after vaccinations is a very common side effect, as are vomiting and diarrhea. It occurs as a result of the activation of the immune system response and usually subsides after 24-48 hours. If after this period the cat still has a fever, it is essential to go to the vet.
See the following article with all the adverse effects: "Side effects of vaccines for cats".
How do I know if my cat has a fever? - Symptoms
To answer one of the most frequently asked questions among cat guardians, how to know if a cat has a fever, it is essential pay attention to all the details of their behavior. A cat with a fever will exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
- Dry nose Although this fact cannot be conclusive or definitive, it can give us a clue if we observe that our cat presents other symptoms as well of thisLike dogs, cats tend to have a wet nose at all times, and when they develop a fever, it tends to dry out.
- Loss of appetite. The general poor condition that your body is experiencing leads you to not want to eat as usual.
- Decrease in water consumption. Cats are not usually animals that are used to drinking large amounts of water, so reducing them can have serious consequences.
- Apathy, lack of energy. Especially if your feline is a very active and energetic animal, seeing it without wanting to play, run or jump is a clear indication that something is wrong.
- On the contrary, and depending on the disease causing the fever, the cat may be restless and distressed.
- Poor personal hygiene. Cats are extremely neat animals, neglecting their cleanliness is not typical of them and indicates that their he alth is not in perfect condition.
- In the most severe cases, the cat may experience chills, tremorsor a rapid breath.
Most illnesses or he alth problems that cause fever in cats usually develop other symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, sneezing or coughing. If you notice any of the symptoms of fever in cats, take the temperature to confirm it and go to the vet.
How to take my cat's temperature?
If we observe that our feline presents some or all of the above symptoms, the time has come to take its body temperature, since this is the only way to confirm that he really has a fever. To do this, you must get all the necessary utensils:
- Digital rectal thermometer that you can get at any veterinary clinic.
- Vaseline or any other lubricant.
- A clean cloth or towel.
When you have everything ready, follow these steps to take your cat's temperature:
- Clean the thermometer well and cover the tip with a little Vaseline or other lubricant.
- If you can, have someone else hold the cat by the front legs, this will make it easier for you to continue.
- Carefully lift your cat's tail and insert the tip of the thermometer into his rectum.
- When you see the digital thermometer stop, remove it, observe the indicated temperature and reward your cat for good behavior. Clean the thermometer.
As we mentioned at the beginning, the normal temperature of a cat should be between 38 and 39 ºC in adults and 39.5 ºC in puppies. If your cat exceeds these figures, it is considered that he has a fever and you should treat it to reduce it as soon as possible. If it exceeds 41 ºC you should go to the vet quickly so that he can examine it and determine the cause.
In the following video shared on our channel, Alfonso Fernández, veterinarian, explains better how to take the temperature.
How to lower a cat's fever? - Treatment
The treatment for fever in cats is closely linked to the cause that provokes it If, for example, it appears as a side effect to the consumption of a certain medicine, you should consult with the veterinarian what to do, but never decide for yourself to interrupt a medical treatment. If the cause is a serious disease, such as distemper, leukemia or cancer, the specialist will start the best treatment to eradicate said pathology. For minor bacterial or viral infections, your vet may prescribe antibiotics. Remember that you must not self-medicate your cat, some medicines for human consumption are toxic to him and you will only worsen his condition.
On the other hand, and again depending on the cause, the specialist may decide to hospitalize the cat and start a fluid therapy treatment. These types of treatments are carried out to replenish lost fluids and combat dehydration, something very common in sick cats.
Fever medications for cats
Depending on the underlying cause, as we have mentioned, the veterinarian may prescribe the use of anti-inflammatories, painkillers or antibiotics, both to reduce your cat's fever and to combat the triggering problem.
Home remedies for fever in cats
In milder cases, such as a common cold, you can take some steps and home remedies to lower your cat's fever:
- Hydration As one of the symptoms of fever is decreased water, the first thing you should do is hydrate your cat. If he doesn't want to drink, you'll have to get a syringe and give him the amount of liquid he needs yourself, always carefully and slowly, we don't want him to drown! The water must be fresh.
- Diet The same thing happens with food. To avoid malnutrition, you must encourage your feline to eat by providing food that meets its nutritional needs and, at the same time, is palatable. To do this, opt for a wet diet or a soft homemade diet (easily digestible, with boiled chicken and rice), once recovered you can combine it again with dry feed. Of course, if the fever is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea, it is best to consult with the veterinarian what diet to give him.
- Comfort. Find a place in your house free of humidity and warm to place your bed there. Your cat should feel as comfortable as possible to promote recovery.
- Wet compresses, they will be your great allies to reduce your cat's fever. You will have to moisten them with cold water, place them on your forehead and let them act for a few minutes. Then, remove them and apply them on their legs and abdomen and groin area in the same way. Dry the wet areas well and repeat this process twice a day.
If the fever does not subside after 48 hours, you should Go to the vet quicklyIt is possible that you have not noticed other symptoms and you are developing a serious illness that requires medical treatment. Remember that it should always be a specialist who examines your cat, diagnoses the cause and prescribes the best treatment.
My cat has a fever and doesn't want to eat, what do I do?
In addition to finding the underlying cause and treating it, as we have said, it is very important to try to get the cat to eat or at least stay hydrated. To do this, use the syringe and give him his favorite food. Another option is to mash the food and offer it with the syringe as well.
Fever in cats - Prevention
As we have seen throughout the article, fever is a symptom of another pathology that can be serious or mild. Therefore, the best treatment is always prevention. To prevent the onset of diseases, infections and other he alth problems, it is essential to follow the mandatory vaccination schedule, make routine visits to the vet and provide our cat with all the basic care they need, such as proper nutrition, toys to release stored energy, scratching posts, brushing their coat to avoid creating hairballs, a comfortable bed to sleep in and a litter box to relieve themselves.
