Normal Cat Body Temperature: What’s Normal, How to Check It, and When to Worry
Normal cat body temperature is important to know in order to determine your cat’s health. Cats naturally run warmer than humans - you might have noticed how they always seek out the warmest spot in the room. Knowing an accurate baseline could help you spot illness sooner.
“Warm ears” is not a reliable diagnostic for this, but proper temperature measurement is a useful check. In this post, we go in-depth into normal cat body temperature ranges, how to measure safely, and when to call the vet.
Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Is a Normal Cat Body Temperature?
The normal temperature range for a healthy cat is listed as 38–39°C. This is equal to a range of 100–102.5°F. You can measure this body temperature with a lubricated digital rectal thermometer - this is usually best left to the vets.
It is not unusual for there to be variation within this range. With some cats, you will find that their individual baseline is a little different. There are also times when a cat’s body temperature can temporarily change, such as:
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During intense activity: Exercise can temporarily raise a cat’s body temperature as muscle activity increases heat production.
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When stressed or excited: These can cause a short-term temperature increase, so it’s best to check when your cat is calm.
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At different times of the day: It is natural for a cat’s temperature to fluctuate slightly over the day as part of normal biological rhythms.
As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that you book an appointment with your vet if you notice any concerning symptoms in your cat. If you do want to check its temperature yourself, confirm with a thermometer rather than guessing by touch.
How to Check Your Cat’s Temperature Safely at Home
If you are going to check your cat’s temperature yourself, you will need a few things first. It helps to be prepared, so you will need to get:
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A dedicated pet thermometer (rectal is best)
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Lubricant (petroleum jelly is good)
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Disinfectant wipes
We recommend that you have a second person with you to help, and that you do the work in a calm environment. It is always best to do this in a low-stress situation to minimise the risk of injury to the cat. If it is already highly distressed, the best choice is to stop and call the vet.
Here is a brief step-by-step process for how to check your cat’s temperature safely:
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Pick a calm, quiet room and prepare with someone else to help. Gently restrain and comfort the cat to prepare.
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Turn on the thermometer and lubricate the tip with some petroleum jelly.
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With your helper gently holding the cat, lift the tail and gently insert the thermometer. Do not force it if the cat resists.
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Wait for the thermometer to beep then remove it.
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Take the temperature reading then wipe the thermometer clean before packing away.
It is also possible to take an ear temperature with the right type of thermometer, though this method is not always as accurate. In all cases, we strongly recommend taking your cat to the vet for this process, as they are experienced in normal cat body temperature and techniques for getting accurate measurements.
Cat Fever Basics: Signs, Common Causes, and “Fever of Unknown Origin”
The term “fever” basically means that the cat’s temperature is above the normal range. This is all we need to know to suspect that something may be wrong. There are certain symptoms that suggest a cat may be feeling unwell if they are not normal behaviour for your animal:
Things to look out for include:
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Lethargy and low energy: This is commonly seen with fever or other illness and may indicate a cat is unwell.
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Hiding: Cats often hide when sick, stressed, or in pain.
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Refusing to eat: Reduced appetite is a common red flag for illness.
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Shivering: This can occur with fever or pain and may indicate a cat is struggling to regulate its body temperature.
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Faster breathing: This can be associated with fever, stress, pain, or more serious problems, so it is wise to contact a vet.
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Feeling hotter than usual to the touch on the ears, feet and face: This may be a clue that your cat has a temperature, but it needs to be confirmed.
While none of these things is evidence of a fever, they are all signs that it might be a good idea to check.
If you find that your cat does have a fever, it is best to book an appointment with your vet. They will be able to determine the cause of the high temperature. There are many things that can cause it, including:
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Infection or inflammation
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Abscesses
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Toxins or poisons
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Reactions to medication
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Stress or anxiety
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Other underlying disease processes
You know your cat, and you know when something is not right. In most cases, a vet will be able to pinpoint the cause of the fever. There are times when they find it is a “fever of unknown origin”, which usually requires further investigation. This is unusual, but it happens.
When to Call The Vet (and What The Vet May Do Next)
If you take your cat’s temperature and it is higher than 40°C (104°F) or lower than 37.2°C (99°F), it is time to book an appointment to see the vet as soon as possible. This way, if there is a more serious underlying cause, you will be able to get the right treatment.
In many cases, the cat will have an illness that simply passes on its own. However, there are conditions that require medicine to get better. There are also some symptoms to look out for that should be treated as urgent if you find them alongside a fever:
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Not eating
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Extreme lethargy
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Breathing changes
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Ongoing vomiting/diarrhoea
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Underlying long-term conditions
We also recommend treating it as more urgent if your cat is very young or old.
What to Expect At The Appointment
When you take your cat to its appointment, you will first report to the reception and wait to be seen. Once you get your cat into the consultation, they will ask about why you are there. They will then proceed to do a work-up to examine the cat.
The work-up may consist of:
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A physical exam and confirmation of body temperature
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A discussion of likely causes and a recommended treatment
Depending on their findings from the initial work-up, the vet may want to investigate further with blood or urine tests. The vet’s goal is to identify the cause of the fever and recommend the most effective treatment.
Vets are usually friendly, comfortable environments where your cat will be well looked after, and your concerns will be listened to. It is always best to take your cat to the vet if you are worried about its health.
Final Thoughts About Normal Cat Body Temperature
It is never a good idea to simply ignore unusual behaviour in cats. It is usually a sign of something and further investigation is best.
If you are concerned that your cat may have a fever, a DIY approach to taking its temperature is an option, using the method we have described. However, if you are not confident, we strongly recommend taking the animal to the vet instead for experienced handling and treatment.
The normal cat body temperature range is between 38–39°C or 100–102.5°F. If your pet’s temperature is above or below those levels, it is important to find the underlying cause and get the right treatment.
