What’s a Normal Cat Temperature, Heart and Breathing Rate?

Cat Temperature

How can I take my cat’s temperature?

Use a digital thermometer. Lubricate the thermometer with a water-based lubricant or petroleum jelly. Insert the tip into the rectum (just beneath the tail). When the thermometer beeps, remove it and read the number.

Normal body temperature for a cat is 99.5—102.5°F (37.5°C to 39.17°C)

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Cat Breathing Rate

How can I determine my cat’s breathing rate?

Watch your cat and count the number of times the chest rises and falls in one minute.

Normal beathing rate is 20 – 30 breaths per minute.

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Cat Heart Rate

How can I determine my cat’s heart rate?

You can feel your cat’s heartbeat at the point where the left elbow touches the chest (about the fifth rib). Lay your cat down on her right side and place your hand over this area to feel and count heartbeats.

Normal heart rate is 160-220 beats per minute.

Cat Pulse Rate

How can I check my cat’s pulse rate?

You can feel your cat’s pulse by lightly touching your middle and index fingers to the inner thigh. Lay your cat down, gently lift her upper hind leg away from the lower hind leg, place your two fingers as high up as possible on the inside of either leg, just where the leg meets the body wall. Feel for a recess in the middle of the leg approximately halfway between the front and back; this recess is where the blood vessels run and where you will find the pulse.

Normal pulse rate is 160-220 beats per minute.

Cat Capillary Refill Time

How can I check my cat’s capillary refill time?

Press on the gums and observe how soon the gums return to their normal pink color.

Normal capillary refill time is 1 to 2 seconds.

Cat Mucous Membrane Color

How can you check the mucous membrane of a cat?

To check the color of the mucous membranes, life your cat’s upper or lower lip, and observe the color of his gums or inner lip. They should be pink.

Cat Dehydration

How can I determine if my cat is dehydrated?

Pull up on the skin between the shoulder blades and it should spring right back. If it stays tented this is a sign of dehydration.

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Information Provided Deborah C. Mandell, BS, VMD

Pet First Aid information provided by Dr. Debbie Mandell, Professor of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; American Red Cross National Pet Care Advisor for the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. Visit redcross.org/take-a-class/scientific-advisory-council to see how we work, members, sub councils, scientific reviews, and recent research.

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