Maintaining your cat’s health in good shape is not usually easy, especially if your feline friend is so adept at masking an illness. However, being familiar with basic vitals, such as a cat’s normal temperature and the number of heartbeats per minute, can help you have a pulse on your kitty’s health. To make sure you are checking these vital signs correctly, you will need some guidance from your vet. Here are some essential tips on how to take your cat’s vitals at home, the tools you need to check each vital sign, and what unusual readings could indicate.

5 Ways to Check Your Cat’s Vitals

  1. Take Your Cat’s Temperature image credit: cynoclub, Shutterstock One of the easiest ways to take your cat’s body temperature is to use an ideal, traditional rectal thermometer. However, since some cats will refuse to submit willingly to having something inserted into their anus, so you will need to calmly restrain it. Use a towel to protect yourself from scratches and ideally get a second person’s help to minimize the risk of injury. Training your cat to voluntary allow the temperature measurement will take time and dedication but it is possible with positive reinforcement methods. Using the cat’s favorite treats as a reward for allowing the procedure helps some cat owners successfully achieved this, however it requires time and consistency. Ensure you lubricate the thermometer end well and insert it about 1 to 2 inches. If you are using a digital thermometer, hold it there until it beeps to indicate it is done. But to ensure you get an accurate reading, wait for about 2 minutes. However, if you or your cat are not comfortable with that particular method, the alternative tool is an ear thermometer or touch-free infrared thermometer made particularly for pets. Once you have taken your cat’s temperature, record their normal readings. You can use a smartphone application to keep this information or store it in your pet’s first aid kit, together with more details about their medical history and insurance information. The normal body temperature for a cat is around 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your kitty’s temperature is lower or higher than that, make sure to check with your vet.

  2. Check Your Cat’s Heart or Pulse Rate The best place to check the heart rate is on the femoral artery, located inside your cat’s thigh near the crotch area. Using your fingers, put a little pressure on the leg’s middle part to feel the pulse. Press down for about 15 seconds and multiply by four to get the total number of heartbeats in a minute. If you can’t feel the pulse, check behind their elbow, over the rib aviary where the heart is located. The normal pulse of a cat is between 140 to 220 beats per minute. If your feline friend has been resting, their heart rate will be on the lower side of the scale. When your kitty’s rate is too fast, too low, or non-uniform, there is a call for concern, and you should check with your vet.

  3. Take Your Cat’s Respiratory Rate Image Credit: Piqsels To check your kitty’s respiratory rate, count the number of breaths your cat takes in a minute. The ideal time to do this is when they are relaxed but standing. You will know your cat has taken a breath every time you see its sides move in and out. Alternatively, you can place your hands on their sides to feel the movement. Observe your cat and count her breaths for one minute. A standard respiratory rate for a cat is between 20 to 30 breaths per minute. If your cat is breathing quickly or appears to be panting and the kitty has not been playing strenuously, this could signal an issue. The two leading causes of breathing difficulties in cats are congestive heart failure and asthma. To be safe, consider taking your kitty to your vet when you notice any shortness of breath. Just like humans, cats are prone to flu, colds, and upper respiratory infections, so watch out for a runny nose, sneezing, breathing abnormalities, and lethargy.

  4. Check Your Cat’s Eyes Image Credit: Piqsels Eyes can be another sign of health issues or illness. Examine your cat’s eyes and check whether the pupils are of equal size in both eyes. If one is taller or smaller, it may indicate a head injury or a potential health issue. Another area to examine is under the eyelids plus the inner and outer eye, which should be white but not red or pink. To check this, gently pull down the outer and inner eyelid a bit. The eyes should be free from any discharge or tears. Ensure your kitty is not pawing or scratching their eye, which may indicate an infection, pain, or something lodged in their eyes. Typically, your cat eyes should be open, clear, bright, and with no discharge. Eyes are particularly painful and sensitive for cats if they have an issue, and the problems worsen rapidly without vet care. So, make sure to take your kitty to your vet if any of these concerns occur.

  5. Check on Your Cat’s Dental Health Image Credit: jasna.B, Shutterstock Gum disease leads to pain and can hurt your kitty’s overall health and well-being. Health cat gums should be bright or light pink, but not red, bleeding, or swollen. And just like humans, your cat teeth should be clean, white, and free from chipping. The main symptom of dental issues in cats is usually bad breath. However, they can also cause pawing at the mouth, trouble eating, and drooling. When you notice any problems in your kitty’s mouth, talk to your vet about having them resolved. In the first place, you can avoid dental problems with a simple oral care routine. Daily brushing will help keep your cat’s gums and teeth healthy. However, ensure to use toothpaste meant particularly for cats.

Watch Out for Behavior Changes Although cats are known to be quirky, sometimes erratic behavior may be signs of underlying health issues. When your feline starts to show any abnormal change in behavior, it is worth consulting with your vet. Although there can be a perfectly usual explanation for your cat’s behavior, it can also be the start of more adverse problems, such as kidney disease, cat UTI or diabetes. Don’t wait until the symptoms are more evident since treatment could become much more difficult. Changes to watch for:

Increased water intake

Refusal to eat

Reduced activity

Hiding for long periods

Aggressive toward other pets and people

Watch Out for Your Cat’s Weight According to some estimates, half of the cats are overweight, while a quarter of cats are obese. Since having excess weight can lead to some severe health conditions, it is good for cat owners to watch for their furry friend’s waistline. A healthy kitty is often between 8 to 10 pounds on average, but there is room for variation between individual cats. The easiest way to test whether your kitty is at a healthy weight is to place your hands firmly over their ribs or on their sides. If you can’t feel the ribs, then your cat is overweight. Perhaps, if you can see the ribs, then your kitty is underweight. If your kitty could stand to lose some pounds, your vet can help you create a healthy plan to manage the cat’s weight. Or else, you can use a digital scale to weigh your cat at home and keep track of their progress. Even if your cat has a healthy weight, it is crucial to observe their body condition because gaining or losing weight may indicate underlying health problems. Weight loss despite healthy eating may be a sign of cat diabetes. Summary Taking your cat’s vital signs offers you a better picture of their overall health and may give peace of mind. In addition, annual vet checkups are essential to maintaining your kitty’s health. Senior cats should undergo biannual exams since as they age, their body changes more quickly. If your kitty’s vital signs seem okay, that is, a standard cat temperature, no breathing difficulties, and the like, but you suspect they are not feeling well, don’t hesitate to consult your vet. No one understands your furry friend as you do, so trust your instinct so that they can get the help they require in time.

Related read: Do Cat’s Whiskers Grow Back? How Long Does It Take?

Featured Image Credit: sandryriveraa, Pixabay

Maintaining your cat’s health in good shape is not usually easy, especially if your feline friend is so adept at masking an illness. However, being familiar with basic vitals, such as a cat’s normal temperature and the number of heartbeats per minute, can help you have a pulse on your kitty’s health.

To make sure you are checking these vital signs correctly, you will need some guidance from your vet. Here are some essential tips on how to take your cat’s vitals at home, the tools you need to check each vital sign, and what unusual readings could indicate.

5 Ways to Check Your Cat’s Vitals

1. Take Your Cat’s Temperature

One of the easiest ways to take your cat’s body temperature is to use an ideal, traditional rectal thermometer. However, since some cats will refuse to submit willingly to having something inserted into their anus, so you will need to calmly restrain it. Use a towel to protect yourself from scratches and ideally get a second person’s help to minimize the risk of injury. Training your cat to voluntary allow the temperature measurement will take time and dedication but it is possible with positive reinforcement methods. Using the cat’s favorite treats as a reward for allowing the procedure helps some cat owners successfully achieved this, however it requires time and consistency.

Ensure you lubricate the thermometer end well and insert it about 1 to 2 inches. If you are using a digital thermometer, hold it there until it beeps to indicate it is done. But to ensure you get an accurate reading, wait for about 2 minutes.

However, if you or your cat are not comfortable with that particular method, the alternative tool is an ear thermometer or touch-free infrared thermometer made particularly for pets.

Once you have taken your cat’s temperature, record their normal readings. You can use a smartphone application to keep this information or store it in your pet’s first aid kit, together with more details about their medical history and insurance information.

The normal body temperature for a cat is around 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your kitty’s temperature is lower or higher than that, make sure to check with your vet.

2. Check Your Cat’s Heart or Pulse Rate

The best place to check the heart rate is on the femoral artery, located inside your cat’s thigh near the crotch area. Using your fingers, put a little pressure on the leg’s middle part to feel the pulse. Press down for about 15 seconds and multiply by four to get the total number of heartbeats in a minute.

If you can’t feel the pulse, check behind their elbow, over the rib aviary where the heart is located.

The normal pulse of a cat is between 140 to 220 beats per minute. If your feline friend has been resting, their heart rate will be on the lower side of the scale. When your kitty’s rate is too fast, too low, or non-uniform, there is a call for concern, and you should check with your vet.

3. Take Your Cat’s Respiratory Rate

To check your kitty’s respiratory rate, count the number of breaths your cat takes in a minute. The ideal time to do this is when they are relaxed but standing. You will know your cat has taken a breath every time you see its sides move in and out.

Alternatively, you can place your hands on their sides to feel the movement.

Observe your cat and count her breaths for one minute. A standard respiratory rate for a cat is between 20 to 30 breaths per minute. If your cat is breathing quickly or appears to be panting and the kitty has not been playing strenuously, this could signal an issue.

The two leading causes of breathing difficulties in cats are congestive heart failure and asthma. To be safe, consider taking your kitty to your vet when you notice any shortness of breath. Just like humans, cats are prone to flu, colds, and upper respiratory infections, so watch out for a runny nose, sneezing, breathing abnormalities, and lethargy.

4. Check Your Cat’s Eyes

Eyes can be another sign of health issues or illness. Examine your cat’s eyes and check whether the pupils are of equal size in both eyes. If one is taller or smaller, it may indicate a head injury or a potential health issue.

Another area to examine is under the eyelids plus the inner and outer eye, which should be white but not red or pink. To check this, gently pull down the outer and inner eyelid a bit. The eyes should be free from any discharge or tears.

Ensure your kitty is not pawing or scratching their eye, which may indicate an infection, pain, or something lodged in their eyes. Typically, your cat eyes should be open, clear, bright, and with no discharge.

Eyes are particularly painful and sensitive for cats if they have an issue, and the problems worsen rapidly without vet care. So, make sure to take your kitty to your vet if any of these concerns occur.

5. Check on Your Cat’s Dental Health

Gum disease leads to pain and can hurt your kitty’s overall health and well-being. Health cat gums should be bright or light pink, but not red, bleeding, or swollen. And just like humans, your cat teeth should be clean, white, and free from chipping.

The main symptom of dental issues in cats is usually bad breath. However, they can also cause pawing at the mouth, trouble eating, and drooling. When you notice any problems in your kitty’s mouth, talk to your vet about having them resolved.

In the first place, you can avoid dental problems with a simple oral care routine. Daily brushing will help keep your cat’s gums and teeth healthy. However, ensure to use toothpaste meant particularly for cats.

Watch Out for Behavior Changes

Although cats are known to be quirky, sometimes erratic behavior may be signs of underlying health issues. When your feline starts to show any abnormal change in behavior, it is worth consulting with your vet. Although there can be a perfectly usual explanation for your cat’s behavior, it can also be the start of more adverse problems, such as kidney disease, cat UTI or diabetes.

Don’t wait until the symptoms are more evident since treatment could become much more difficult.

Changes to watch for:

Increased water intake

Refusal to eat

Reduced activity

Hiding for long periods

Aggressive toward other pets and people

Watch Out for Your Cat’s Weight

According to some estimates, half of the cats are overweight, while a quarter of cats are obese. Since having excess weight can lead to some severe health conditions, it is good for cat owners to watch for their furry friend’s waistline.

Increased water intake

Refusal to eat

Reduced activity

Hiding for long periods

Aggressive toward other pets and people

  • Increased water intake
  • Refusal to eat
  • Reduced activity
  • Hiding for long periods
  • Aggressive toward other pets and people

A healthy kitty is often between 8 to 10 pounds on average, but there is room for variation between individual cats.

The easiest way to test whether your kitty is at a healthy weight is to place your hands firmly over their ribs or on their sides. If you can’t feel the ribs, then your cat is overweight. Perhaps, if you can see the ribs, then your kitty is underweight.

If your kitty could stand to lose some pounds, your vet can help you create a healthy plan to manage the cat’s weight. Or else, you can use a digital scale to weigh your cat at home and keep track of their progress.

Even if your cat has a healthy weight, it is crucial to observe their body condition because gaining or losing weight may indicate underlying health problems. Weight loss despite healthy eating may be a sign of cat diabetes.

Summary

Taking your cat’s vital signs offers you a better picture of their overall health and may give peace of mind. In addition, annual vet checkups are essential to maintaining your kitty’s health. Senior cats should undergo biannual exams since as they age, their body changes more quickly.

If your kitty’s vital signs seem okay, that is, a standard cat temperature, no breathing difficulties, and the like, but you suspect they are not feeling well, don’t hesitate to consult your vet. No one understands your furry friend as you do, so trust your instinct so that they can get the help they require in time.

  • Related read: Do Cat’s Whiskers Grow Back? How Long Does It Take?

Featured Image Credit: sandryriveraa, Pixabay