How to Read a Cat's Vital Signs
Buy a rectal thermometer., Lubricate the thermometer., Insert the thermometer., Clean the thermometer., Start practicing when your cat is healthy and relaxed., Measure your cat’s heart rate., Determine your cat’s respiratory rate., Ask your vet for...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Buy a rectal thermometer.
When shopping for a thermometer to take your cat’s temperature, opt for a digital rectal thermometer to get the most accurate reading.
Oral thermometers can be bitten or swallowed, and do not offer as close of a reading of your pet’s temperature.
For safety purposes, buy a plastic thermometer, which will not pose the risk of breaking that a glass model would., Lubricate the tip of the thermometer so that you can insert it easily without pain or discomfort to your cat.
Use Vaseline or KY jelly, which you can find at most pharmacies.
Avoid using the thermometer without lubrication, which could be painful for your cat and create negative associations with having its temperature taken., Have your cat lie on its side and gently move its tail aside.
Gently insert the thermometer into the anus, about the length of your cat’s foot (approximately 1-1.5 inches).
Brace your cat while waiting for the digital thermometer to beep, indicating that your cat’s temperature has been reached.Note that a normal temperature for your cat should be between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 38-39 degrees Celsius).
If your cat’s temperature is higher, contact your veterinarian., After using a rectal thermometer, clean it thoroughly before putting it away.
Be sure to remove any traces of fecal matter and wipe the thermometer down thoroughly with a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol to disinfect it.
Note that 50-70% rubbing alcohol will disinfect better than 90% alcohol., Start practicing how to check your cat’s heart and respiratory rates when it is calm and in good health, so that you know what you are doing in case of an emergency.
This will also provide you with a good picture of your cat’s normal vital signs to use as a comparison when it might be sick or unwell. , Use your smart phone or a stopwatch to monitor the time.
Place your left hand over your cat’s left side, underneath its front leg.
Count the number of beats over fifteen seconds, then multiply the number by four to get the reading.A normal range for your cat’s heart rate would be between 150 and 220 beats per minute.
If you get a reading much higher or lower than this, consult your veterinarian., Position yourself in front of your cat with a clear view of its chest while it is sitting up.
Watch your cat’s chest moving up and down, and count either inhalations or exhalations for 15 seconds.
Multiply by four to get your cat’s respiratory rate, which should fall between 15-30 breaths per minute.Regardless of the respiratory values, contact your veterinarian if your cat’s breathing is labored, shallow, rapid, or irregular. , If you are unsure about how to take an accurate reading, ask your veterinarian if they can show you how to check your cat’s heart rate and respiratory rate at your cat’s next appointment.
Ask any questions you might have (e.g. “Where exactly should I position my hand to feel my cat’s heart rate?”).
In addition, ask your vet what values fall within the normal range for your cat., To make the process of checking your cat’s vital signs easier, calm it by applying constant, gentle pressure to its torso.
Grasp your cat’s torso firmly with one arm while checking its vitals with the opposite hand, or have a friend or family member assist you.
You can also purchase a pressure shirt for your cat, a weighted pet garment designed to reduce your cat’s anxiety during trips to the veterinarian and other stressful situations., Ask your veterinarian if a pheromone spray would be a suitable way to relax your cat.
Synthetic pheromone sprays mimic a cheek pheromone that cats release when bonding with each other and their owners.
Popular brands like Feliway are available online or through veterinary clinics., There are many herbs that have a calming effect on cats and can make them more amenable to having their vital signs checked.
These non-toxic plants are best given to cats in loose, dried form, either sprinkled in their play area or inserted into a refillable toy (approximately 1 tsp or
0.5 oz.).
Visit a pet store or natural health store to purchase:
Catnip, which can make your cat excitable for a brief period of time and eventually relax it.
Valerian, which can induce relaxation and sleep after a short period of heightened energy.
Chamomile, which reduces stress and anxiety. -
Step 2: Lubricate the thermometer.
-
Step 3: Insert the thermometer.
-
Step 4: Clean the thermometer.
-
Step 5: Start practicing when your cat is healthy and relaxed.
-
Step 6: Measure your cat’s heart rate.
-
Step 7: Determine your cat’s respiratory rate.
-
Step 8: Ask your vet for a demonstration.
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Step 9: Apply gentle pressure.
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Step 10: Use a pheromone spray.
-
Step 11: Give your cat a calming herb.
Detailed Guide
When shopping for a thermometer to take your cat’s temperature, opt for a digital rectal thermometer to get the most accurate reading.
Oral thermometers can be bitten or swallowed, and do not offer as close of a reading of your pet’s temperature.
For safety purposes, buy a plastic thermometer, which will not pose the risk of breaking that a glass model would., Lubricate the tip of the thermometer so that you can insert it easily without pain or discomfort to your cat.
Use Vaseline or KY jelly, which you can find at most pharmacies.
Avoid using the thermometer without lubrication, which could be painful for your cat and create negative associations with having its temperature taken., Have your cat lie on its side and gently move its tail aside.
Gently insert the thermometer into the anus, about the length of your cat’s foot (approximately 1-1.5 inches).
Brace your cat while waiting for the digital thermometer to beep, indicating that your cat’s temperature has been reached.Note that a normal temperature for your cat should be between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 38-39 degrees Celsius).
If your cat’s temperature is higher, contact your veterinarian., After using a rectal thermometer, clean it thoroughly before putting it away.
Be sure to remove any traces of fecal matter and wipe the thermometer down thoroughly with a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol to disinfect it.
Note that 50-70% rubbing alcohol will disinfect better than 90% alcohol., Start practicing how to check your cat’s heart and respiratory rates when it is calm and in good health, so that you know what you are doing in case of an emergency.
This will also provide you with a good picture of your cat’s normal vital signs to use as a comparison when it might be sick or unwell. , Use your smart phone or a stopwatch to monitor the time.
Place your left hand over your cat’s left side, underneath its front leg.
Count the number of beats over fifteen seconds, then multiply the number by four to get the reading.A normal range for your cat’s heart rate would be between 150 and 220 beats per minute.
If you get a reading much higher or lower than this, consult your veterinarian., Position yourself in front of your cat with a clear view of its chest while it is sitting up.
Watch your cat’s chest moving up and down, and count either inhalations or exhalations for 15 seconds.
Multiply by four to get your cat’s respiratory rate, which should fall between 15-30 breaths per minute.Regardless of the respiratory values, contact your veterinarian if your cat’s breathing is labored, shallow, rapid, or irregular. , If you are unsure about how to take an accurate reading, ask your veterinarian if they can show you how to check your cat’s heart rate and respiratory rate at your cat’s next appointment.
Ask any questions you might have (e.g. “Where exactly should I position my hand to feel my cat’s heart rate?”).
In addition, ask your vet what values fall within the normal range for your cat., To make the process of checking your cat’s vital signs easier, calm it by applying constant, gentle pressure to its torso.
Grasp your cat’s torso firmly with one arm while checking its vitals with the opposite hand, or have a friend or family member assist you.
You can also purchase a pressure shirt for your cat, a weighted pet garment designed to reduce your cat’s anxiety during trips to the veterinarian and other stressful situations., Ask your veterinarian if a pheromone spray would be a suitable way to relax your cat.
Synthetic pheromone sprays mimic a cheek pheromone that cats release when bonding with each other and their owners.
Popular brands like Feliway are available online or through veterinary clinics., There are many herbs that have a calming effect on cats and can make them more amenable to having their vital signs checked.
These non-toxic plants are best given to cats in loose, dried form, either sprinkled in their play area or inserted into a refillable toy (approximately 1 tsp or
0.5 oz.).
Visit a pet store or natural health store to purchase:
Catnip, which can make your cat excitable for a brief period of time and eventually relax it.
Valerian, which can induce relaxation and sleep after a short period of heightened energy.
Chamomile, which reduces stress and anxiety.
About the Author
Jonathan Ruiz
Creates helpful guides on practical skills to inspire and educate readers.
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