How to Take a Cat's Temperature

To many people, their pets are essential parts of their family. To some, they are practically children. It follows, then, that they become concerned when their furry kin show signs of illness. Unlike human children, pets are hard to cover with insurance and veterinarian bills are expensive. Therefore, it's an advantage to be able to check for symptoms of illness, such as fever, at home to avoid unneeded veterinarian visits.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Secure the cat. It may be easiest to have a second person assist you by keeping the front of the cat immobile. Do this by grasping the skin at the base of the neck, holding the cat under her arm or wrapping the head and front paws gently in a towel with the rear end exposed.

2. Prepare the thermometer. If you're using a digital thermometer, turn it on and make sure it has proper batteries. If you're using a mercury or alcohol thermometer, shake it down until the mercury or alcohol reading is below 94 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Lubricate the thermometer tip well with petroleum jelly or some other lubricant. Lift the base of the tail and slowly and gently insert the thermometer an inch into the rectum. Gently twist the thermometer to aid the insertion process.

4. Hold the thermometer in place for two minutes or until the digital thermometer beeps. Gently remove the thermometer once the reading is over and clean it with rubbing alcohol after reading the temperature.

5. Understand the temperature. The normal temperature range for cats is between 100 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit for juvenile and adult cats and between 97 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit for kittens up to a week old.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to read the temperature before you clean the thermometer if you use a mercury/alcohol thermometer. Rubbing alcohol cools the tip quickly and you won't get an accurate reading.
• Cats have strong rectal muscles. If you meet with resistance when inserting the thermometer, don't force it. This can damage the internal tissues in the rectal area. If you can't achieve a reading by ample lubrication and gentle twisting of the thermometer, take the cat to a veterinarian for a professional temperature reading.