Feeling A Feline Fever
Being able to detect a fever in your cat is only have the battle. If you want to be a responsible pet owner, you'll take the small amount of time needed to learn what qualifies as a fever in cats and when it becomes truly dangerous for your kitty's health. This guide will briefly go over healthy, feverish, and dangerous fever temperatures in cats, as well as how you should respond if your cat develops a dangerous fever.
Normal and Low-Grade Fever Temperatures
Cats, like humans, have temperatures that vary slightly over the course of a day, as well as when they're waking up from a nap. It can also vary based upon age, breed, and whether or not a cat is pregnant. However, in general, a cat's temperature should range somewhere between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
A cat becomes feverish once their temperature rises above the normal range. Anything above this temperature should be considered a fever. However, if your cat's temperature is wavering between normal and barely classified as a fever, you don't need to worry too much. Keep in mind that if it continues to reach low-grade fever temperatures after a few days, you should consider seeing a veterinarian.
When It Becomes Dangerous
Fevers are designed to help the body by killing off bacteria and viruses by making the body rise to intolerable temperatures for these organisms. However, fevers can be dangerous if they rise so high that the cat's own body can't tolerate them anymore.
In general, fevers of 105-106 degrees Fahrenheit are where a cat's temperature reaches critical levels and severe bodily harm can occur. If your cat reaches this temperature, you should call a local animal hospital and seek help from a veterinarian immediately.
What To Do
If your cat's fever is mild, there are steps you can take at home to help bring it down.
Cooling your kitty by dabbing their paw pads with an alcohol swab can help. As the alcohol evaporates, it will bring your cat's body temperature down somewhat.
In addition, you can offer your cat a cooling mat to lie down on. Not all cats will enjoy a cooling mat, but it's worth a try, as some cats do.
If your cat's fever is severe, you should make an effort to bring their temperature down while you're heading to the vet. The above steps are a good idea; you can also try holding your kitty in a refrigerated towel while you're on the way to the vet.
Fevers aren't always dangerous, but they can become serious very quickly. Make sure to monitor your cat's temperature regularly if you detect even a mild fever, and get help from a vet if it goes on too long or becomes too high.
