Fever In Cats

Although our feline little furry friends are extremely vocal and expressive, they are unable to communicate when they are feeling unwell, making cat parents be continuously wary of cat fevers or other ailments. 

Figuring out if your little kitty is running a fever can be challenging, as you cannot tell if your cat has fever just by feeling for a dry, warm nose. The only way of telling if your feline has cat fever is by checking the cats body temperature. Under normal circumstances, cats have a body temperature ranging between 100.4°F to 102.5°F. Having body temperatures higher than 102.5°F indicates fever in cats.

What is fever in cats?

Cat fever is a health anomaly that causes the body temperature to temporarily rise when the cat has a cold. For cats, normal body temperature generally ranges between 100.4°F to 102.5°F. It can be considered cat fever if the body temperature shoots up beyond 102.5°F. Although fever in cats can be a result of several different factors, it commonly indicates that the body is fighting against infections or allergens, or other causes of cat fevers.

In fact, the typical cat fever is one of the common, and prominent symptoms of fever in cats and underlying physical concerns. Veterinarians often insist on determining a cat's body temperature and ensure if it is feverish before they can begin a proper diagnosis and confirm any potential causes. In addition to certain infections, cat fever is also a result of different causes such as anxiety, pain, sickness, and excitement. Fever can also occur from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or as reactions to certain medications.

Causes of Fever in Cats

Cats have a complex physiological structure that can be disrupted by causes of cat fevers such as infections and allergens present in their system, leading to fevers and discomfort. A fever in cats is most commonly caused by the presence of pyrogens in the body, which initiates the cats normal temperature to suddenly shoot up. Pyrogens are a fever-inducing substance that can both be exogenous (produced outside the body, and is ingested) or endogenous in nature (is generated within the body) when the cat has a cold.

The presence of pyrogens in the body can trigger the immune system in cats, releasing white blood cells more frequently to battle any infections or allergies. The release of white blood cells also affects the region regulating the cats normal temperature located in the hypothalamus, resulting in the body's thermostat being reset and inducing a fever in cats, causing the cats normal temperature to shoot up.

Symptoms of Fever in Cats

Although not all cat fevers call for immediate professional attention, you should still look out for the common symptoms of fever in cats.

When your cat has a fever, they may:

• Feel lethargic
• Sleep more than usual
• Have a reduced appetite
• Hide
• Avoid activities they normally enjoy
• Shivering
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Dehydration
• Vomiting or Diarrhoea
• Decreased Activity or Grooming

What To Do If Your Cat Has A Fever?

Avoid giving human medication to felines with cat fever. This is because cats have a widely different kind of metabolism than humans and even a tiny dosage of over-the-counter medications for humans can result in medication poisoning for cats.

Since fever in cats is often accompanied with vomiting and diarrhoea, your furry kitty can get dehydrated. So, it is important to make sure they stay well hydrated. Feeding them broth or wet cat food in small amounts can help.

While most cases of cat fever are harmless and subsides quickly, some cases of feline fever may indicate serious health anomalies. If your munchkin's fever persists for over 24 hours, consult a vet. Vets often run tests to determine the cause of feline fever and confirm if your cat is suffering from an underlying health concern. They can suggest how to treat a cat fever or how to treat cat fever at home.

Recovery and Management of Fever in Cats

Worried about how to treat a cat with fever and weakness? Most cats with fevers respond well to home remedies and cat fever treatment and recover within 1 to 5 days. Although being feverish can make your kitty feel weak and lethargic, cats are usually quick to return to their adventurous lifestyle as soon as the underlying cause of the fever is cured.

However, if your kitty has a cat fever for more than a day, or is in and out of fever often, it is important to seek professional consultation and get started on cat fever treatment as soon as possible.

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