What to do if your cat has a fever
Recently, pet health issues have become one of the hot topics, especially how to deal with cat fever, which has triggered widespread discussion. Here's a detailed guide to identifying symptoms, treatment, and prevention of fever in cats.
1. Common symptoms of cat fever

When cats have a fever, they usually show the following symptoms:
| Symptoms | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased body temperature | The normal body temperature of a cat is 38-39.2℃. If it exceeds 39.5℃, it means a fever. |
| listless | Reduced activity, lethargy |
| decreased appetite | Refusing to eat or eating significantly less |
| Shortness of breath | Increased respiratory rate |
| Dry nose | Normally a cat’s nose should be moist |
2. Common causes of fever in cats
Understanding the cause of your cat’s fever can help with symptomatic treatment:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| infection | Bacterial, viral or parasitic infection |
| inflammation | Such as gingivitis, enteritis, etc. |
| heat stroke | Caused by high temperature environment |
| drug reaction | Certain medicines may cause fever |
| immune system diseases | such as autoimmune diseases |
3. Emergency treatment for cats with fever
After discovering that your cat has a fever, you can take the following emergency measures:
| measures | Specific operations |
|---|---|
| Measure body temperature | Use a pet-specific thermometer to measure rectal temperature |
| physical cooling | Wipe foot pads and ears with a damp towel |
| Keep the environment cool | Adjust room temperature to appropriate temperature |
| hydration | Provide fresh drinking water |
| Seek medical attention promptly | If the body temperature exceeds 40°C or lasts for more than 24 hours, seek medical attention immediately |
4. Preventive measures for cats with fever
Prevention is better than cure, here are some tips for preventing fever in cats:
| Precautions | Description |
|---|---|
| Regular physical examination | Have a comprehensive physical examination at least once a year |
| Vaccination | Get core vaccinations on time |
| Environmental health | Keep living areas clean |
| Eat properly | Provide nutritionally balanced food |
| avoid stress | Reduce stress caused by environmental changes |
5. Common misunderstandings about cats having fever
When dealing with cat fever, you should avoid the following misunderstandings:
| Misunderstanding | Correct approach |
|---|---|
| Use human fever reducers | Never give your cat human medications, they can be fatal |
| Ignore mild fever | Even a mild fever may indicate a serious problem |
| Overreliance on physical cooling | Physical cooling can only be used as an emergency measure |
| Delay in seeking medical treatment | If fever persists for more than 24 hours, you must seek medical attention |
6. When you need immediate medical attention
You should take your cat to the doctor immediately if:
| situation | Description |
|---|---|
| Body temperature exceeds 40℃ | High fever may cause organ damage |
| Lasts more than 24 hours | Prolonged fever requires professional treatment |
| accompanied by other severe symptoms | Such as vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, etc. |
| Fever in a kitten or older cat | Lower immunity, higher risk |
Cat fever is a common health problem, but it needs to be taken seriously. By understanding the symptoms, mastering emergency treatment methods, and taking appropriate preventive measures, you can help your cat stay away from fever problems. Remember, when you are unsure of what to do or if symptoms are severe, prompt consultation with a professional veterinarian is the safest option.
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