Do you know how to check your cat’s important signs? Do you know what a cat’s normal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate are? because cats are masters at hiding illness, it’s up to cat guardians to look for even subtle changes. knowing your cat’s normal important signs will help you identify much more easily whether something may be wrong.
Temperature
Normal body temperature in a healthy cat is between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The easiest way to check your cat’s temperature is with an ear thermometer. If you’re going to take your cat’s temperature with a conventional glass thermometer, be sure to lubricate the thermometer with a water-based lubricant, and gently insert it into your cat’s rectum. Don’t insert it even more than about an inch. because a conventional thermometer needs to stay in for at least two minutes (or until it beeps if you’re using a digital one), this is not the easiest thing to finish with many cats.
Respiratory rate
The normal respiratory rate in healthy cats is between 20 and 30 breaths a minute. simply count the number of breaths for 60 seconds. Alternately, you can also count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply by four, but you’ll get a much more accurate reading if you time it for the full minute, because the normal breathing rate is so slow.
Heart rate
The normal heart rate for a healthy cat is bewteen 140 and 220 beats per minute. A unwinded cat’s heart rate will be on the low end of the range. feel your cat’s heartbeat with one hand over his left side, just behind his front leg. count the number of beats for 15 seconds and multiply by four.
It’s a good idea to practice taking your cat’s vitals when she is relaxed. This way, you’ll know what to do if you’re concerned. contact your veterinarian if any of the values are outside of the normal range.
Ingrid King
Table of Contents
Temperature
Respiratory rate
Heart rate
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8 comments on how to check Your Cat’s important Signs
Cathy Keisha says:
February 28, 2015 at 7:47 pm
Coming over from summer Samba. TW used to take Chizzy’s temperature with a thermometer under his arm pit cos that’s where a vet tech pal of her’s told her to do. terrific info on the heart and breathing rates.
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Kitties Blue says:
February 28, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Thank you for this outstanding info. The only value I knew about was temperature. now I am armed with additional info that can help me take good care of my cats.
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mariodacat says:
February 28, 2015 at 1:46 pm
We did not know all this, and just read Summer’s blog which referred us here. What a terrific post. will book mark this one. thank you for posting.
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Sometimes Cats Herd You says:
February 23, 2015 at 9:28 pm
This is terrific to see all in one place. I knew about respiratory rate (Newton’s has been unusually high all of his life and I keep an eye on it), but I wasn’t aware of being able to check heart rate so easily at home.
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Glogirly says:
February 23, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Would you believe we didn’t know there was an ear thermometer for pets?! This might just be a game changer for Katie who is not a fan of the ‘Where’s the Thermometer’ game at the vet clinic. ; )
And we didn’t know how easy it is to check vitals…thanks for a terrific post and how-to.
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Ingrid says:
February 24, 2015 at 7:24 am
I’m delighted this post was valuable – especially if it makes Katie’s vet check outs easier!
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Heather says:
February 23, 2015 at 12:35 pm
I’m so delighted that you posted this with a link to an ear thermometer!!!! I’ll will look into getting one of those!
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Fur all over says:
February 23, 2015 at 7:19 am
Thank you for the good pointer to take our cat’s important signs regularly. It can certainly help us identify when a kitty is not feeling well. I will share this with my Facebook friends.
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