Fevers in Cats: Is It Possible

Fevers in cats can be a concerning sign of illness, but it's important to understand that a fever is often just a symptom of an underlying health issue. A fever in a cat is not a random occurrence but rather a sign that something may be amiss within its body. It is the body's natural response to various internal and external factors. Cats, like humans, can experience fevers as part of their body’s natural response to infection or inflammation. In this article, we’ll explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments for fevers in cats, as well as when to seek veterinary help.

What is a Fever in Cats?

A fever in cats is defined as a body temperature higher than the normal range of 101-102.5°F (38.3-39.2°C). Cats' body temperatures can fluctuate slightly throughout the day, but a sustained temperature above 103°F (39.4°C) is considered a fever and requires attention. Fever is typically a response to infection or inflammation, indicating that the cat's immune system is fighting something off.

Symptoms of a Fever in Cats

1. Lethargy
   • A cat with a fever may seem less active than usual. It may spend more time sleeping or resting and show less interest in playing or exploring.
2. Loss of Appetite
   • Fevers can suppress a cat's appetite. The cat may turn away from its food or eat much less than normal.
3. Increased Thirst
   • To help cool down its body, a cat with a fever may drink more water than usual. However, this is not always the case and some cats may also show a decreased interest in drinking.
4. Warm Ears and Body
   • One of the most obvious signs is that the cat's ears, paws, and body may feel warmer to the touch compared to normal.

What Cause Fever in Cats?

There are many reasons why cats have a fever, here are some common causes.

• Viral infections

Viral infections such as feline viral colds, feline rhinotracheitis, feline distemper, etc. These viruses attack the cat's respiratory system or other organs, triggering an immune response, including an increase in body temperature. 

• Bacterial infections

Examples of bacterial infections include urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, etc. The toxins released by the bacteria will stimulate the cat's immune system, leading to a rise in body temperature. 

Also Read: Understanding and Managing Cat Urinary Tract Infections

• Fungal Infections

Although less common, certain fungal infections can also lead to fever in cats, for example, cats inhaling specific fungal spores may trigger an infection, which in turn leads to a fever. 

• Inflammation

Inflammation in any part of the body can cause a fever, such as gingivitis, arthritis, and enteritis. Inflammation triggers the body's immune response, leading to an increase in body temperature. 

• External factors

Heat stroke, poisoning, and vaccine reactions may also cause a cat's temperature to rise. 

• Parasite Infection

Certain parasites may invade the internal organs during their survival and reproduction in the cat's body, causing inflammation, fever and other symptoms. 

• Endocrine system disorders

Disorders of the endocrine system may lead to an imbalance in thermoregulation, thus causing fever. 

• Diseases of the locomotor system

Inflammation of the muscles, bones or joints may also cause your cat's body to become feverish. 

If your cat shows symptoms of fever, it is recommended to contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible to determine the exact cause and take appropriate treatment measures.

How to Treat Fever in Cats?

The main treatment methods for cat fever include the following:

1. Physical cooling

If the cat has a low fever, you can help it to cool down by physical cooling methods. For example, wet a towel with ice water and apply it to the cat's body, or use alcohol to wipe the cat's foot pads, groin and other parts of the body to help dissipate heat and cool down. 

2. Timely hydration

When cats have a fever, their bodies will lose water rapidly, and they need to be rehydrated in time to avoid dehydration. 

3. Medical treatment

If the cat has a high fever or the fever lasts for a long time, it needs to be sent to the pet hospital for professional treatment. The earlier the treatment, the faster the cat's condition will improve. 

4. Medication

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Under the guidance of the vet, you can use pet-specific fever-reducing drugs for treatment. It should be noted that cats should not use human fever-reducing drugs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which may cause poisoning in cats. 

5. Ensure nutritional intake

Fever can use up a lot of energy and make your cat very weak. Make sure your cat is eating all the time by offering some soft food or highly nutritious food to supplement his energy intake. Adding vitamin B complexes and energy supplements to the diet can also increase your cat's ability to fight off fevers.  

6. Avoid cold baths

Whilst cold baths can reduce body temperature quickly, they may lead to hypothermia or shock in cats and are therefore not recommended. 

When taking any cooling measures, the cat's symptoms and temperature changes should be closely observed. If the cat's symptoms do not improve or the temperature continues to rise, immediate veterinary help needs to be sought.

When treating your cat for fever, be sure to monitor your cat's symptoms and temperature changes and adjust your treatment plan in a timely manner. If your cat's symptoms do not improve or the temperature continues to rise, you need to seek veterinary help immediately.

How to Hydrate a Cat with a Fever?

I. Provide fresh drinking water

• Place more water bowls

Place more clean water bowls in the areas where the cat is often active, such as near the litter box, by the window sill, and in the corner of the living room. This will make it easier for the cat to drink water at any time and increase its chances of drinking.

• Change the type of drinking water

Try offering different types of water to your cat. In addition to regular cool white water, you can offer a small amount of pet-friendly electrolyte water if your cat doesn't usually reject it. This type of water contains certain minerals and nutrients that help to replenish the electrolytes lost by the cat due to fever.

II. Using wet food or canned food

• Increase the proportion of wet food

If cats usually eat mainly dry food, you can increase the proportion of wet food (e.g. canned food, meat packs, etc.) during the fever period. Wet food contains a high level of water, which can replenish a certain amount of water while the cat is eating.

• Making meat soup

Cook some light broth with meat such as chicken or beef. Cut the meat into small pieces, add water and boil until the meat is cooked, then skim off the grease on the surface, let it cool to the right temperature and give it to your cat. The flavour of the broth can attract cats to drink water and also replenish nutrients.

III. Auxiliary Drinking Tools

• Use a syringe or dropper

If the cat is unwilling to drink water voluntarily, you can use a syringe (remove the needle) or dropper. Inject the water slowly into the corner of the cat's mouth and let the cat swallow little by little. However, be careful to operate gently to avoid choking the cat.

• Pet waterer

Pet-specific water dispensers, such as automatic circulation water dispensers or water dispensers with a running water effect, may attract your cat's interest. The sound and dynamics of running water may stimulate the cat's curiosity and motivate it to drink.

FAQs

What is a natural pain reliever for cats?

I. Catnip

Catnip contains ingredients such as thujaplicin lactone that have special effects on cats. When a cat comes into contact with catnip, it may display behaviours such as excitement and rolling. Catnip can distract the cat's attention to a certain extent, reduce the cat's perception of pain, and act like a natural painkiller. However, the exact mechanism of this effect is not entirely clear.

II. Valerian

Valerian has a calming and soothing effect on cats. It contains some active ingredients that can help cats relax. For some mild pains, such as muscle aches or pains caused by minor discomforts, valerian can indirectly provide pain relief by reducing the cat's tension. Although valerian is natural, caution is needed when using it. Excessive use may adversely affect your cat's health, so it's best to use it under the guidance of your veterinarian.

III. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega - 3 fatty acids mainly come from fish oil and so on. It has anti-inflammatory properties. For some inflammatory pain that may exist in cats, such as pain caused by arthritis, omega - 3 fatty acids can relieve pain by reducing the inflammatory response. This can be done by feeding your cat fish oil supplements for pets that contain omega - 3 fatty acids. When choosing a supplement, make sure it is a suitable product for your cat.

It is important to note that these natural pain relievers will only provide some relief for mild pain in cats. If your cat has severe pain symptoms, such as those caused by trauma or serious illness, you should take your cat to the veterinarian for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Can cats recover from fever on their own?

In some mild cases, cats may recover on their own. For example, if the cat is suffering from a mild stress reaction (e.g. mild discomfort caused by a brief environmental change) or a mild viral infection and has a strong immune system, it may be able to regulate its body temperature through its own immune system and gradually return to normal. The cat's immune system recognises the invading pathogen and produces antibodies to fight the infection, and as the infection is controlled, the body temperature will slowly come down.

However, in most cases, if a cat has a fever, especially a high fever or a fever that lasts for a long time, it will not recover on its own. For example, if the cat is infected with a serious bacterial infectious disease, the bacteria multiply in the body and continuously release toxins, which will continue to stimulate the thermoregulatory centre and keep the body temperature high. Without timely medical intervention, such as the use of appropriate antibiotics to control the infection, the cat's condition will gradually worsen and may lead to other complications, such as dehydration and organ function damage, or even life-threatening.

If your cat is hot to the touch, it probably has a fever. As mentioned earlier, when a cat is affected by infection or inflammation, the body's immune response will cause the body temperature to rise. For example, if your cat has a bacterial infection that triggers oral inflammation, the inflammation will release inflammatory mediators that stimulate the thermoregulatory centre and raise the body temperature, so it will feel hot to the touch.

However, it is also possible that the environmental temperature is too high or the cat has just finished strenuous exercise. If the cat has been in a hot environment for a long time, such as being exposed to the hot sun or staying in a stuffy room for a long time, the body will absorb heat and will feel hot to the touch. After strenuous exercise, the cat's body metabolism is accelerated and blood circulation is accelerated, and it will also temporarily feel hot, but this situation will usually return to normal after the cat rests for a period of time and its body temperature will return to normal.

Conclusion