Cats | Normal Physiological Parameters | Evidence chain

FAQ

What should I note about body temperature (rectal temperature) in cats?

38.1–39.2°C (100.5–102.5°F) (Merck Veterinary Manual: "38.1–39.2°C" "100.5–102.5°F" <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/reference-values-and-conversion-tables/reference-guides/normal-rectal-temperature-ranges>, verified 2026-07-30) ｜ Rectal temperature is the standard; aural temperature has a large error in cats ｜ Hypothermia is more dangerous than hyperthermia in cats (shock, terminal stages, urethral obstruction, post-anesthesia); high temperature = inflammation / infection / heatstroke. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

猫の体温（rectal temperature）について何に注意すべきですか？ — 38.1–39.2°C（100.5–102.5°F）（Merck Veterinary Manual：「38.1–39.2°C」「100.5–102.5°F」<https://www.merckvetmanual.com/reference-values-and-conversion-tables/reference-guides/normal-rectal-temperature-ranges>、確認 2026-07-30） ｜ 直腸温を基準とする；猫では耳温の誤差が大きい ｜ 猫では低体温のほうが高体温より危険です（ショック、終末期、尿道閉塞、麻酔後）；高体温＝炎症／感染／熱中症。実際の判断は獣医師が個別の症例に応じて行う必要があり、本記事は薬剤名と用量を記載しません。

What should I note about body temperature (rectal temperature) in cats? — 38.1–39.2°C (100.5–102.5°F) (Merck Veterinary Manual: "38.1–39.2°C" "100.5–102.5°F" <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/reference-values-and-conversion-tables/reference-guides/normal-rectal-temperature-ranges>, verified 2026-07-30) ｜ Rectal temperature is the standard; aural temperature has a large error in cats ｜ Hypothermia is more dangerous than hyperthermia in cats (shock, terminal stages, urethral obstruction, post-anesthesia); high temperature = inflammation / infection / heatstroke. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What should I note about heart rate in cats?

Resting baseline 120–140 beats/min (Merck Veterinary Manual Resting Heart Rates table: "120–140" bpm, <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-heart-rates>, verified 2026-07-30); values are commonly higher when the cat is awake and stressed in the consulting room, so this is for a quiet home baseline only ｜ Palpate the chest wall or auscultate, count for 15 seconds × 4; in-clinic values are raised by stress ｜ Too fast = pain / hyperthyroidism / heart disease / anemia; too slow + hypothermia = critical (think hyperkalemia, urethral obstruction). The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

猫の心拍数（heart rate）について何に注意すべきですか？ — 安静時のベースライン 120–140 回/分（Merck Veterinary Manual Resting Heart Rates 表：「120–140」bpm、<https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-heart-rates>、確認 2026-07-30）；診察室で覚醒しストレス下にあるとより高い値が一般的で、あくまで自宅の安静時ベースラインの参考です ｜ 胸壁の触診または聴診で 15 秒×4；診察室の値はストレスで上昇します ｜ 速すぎる＝疼痛／甲状腺機能亢進／心疾患／貧血；遅すぎる＋低体温＝危篤（高カリウム血症、尿道閉塞を想起）。実際の判断は獣医師が個別の症例に応じて行う必要があり、本記事は薬剤名と用量を記載しません。

What should I note about heart rate in cats? — Resting baseline 120–140 beats/min (Merck Veterinary Manual Resting Heart Rates table: "120–140" bpm, <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-heart-rates>, verified 2026-07-30); values are commonly higher when the cat is awake and stressed in the consulting room, so this is for a quiet home baseline only ｜ Palpate the chest wall or auscultate, count for 15 seconds × 4; in-clinic values are raised by stress ｜ Too fast = pain / hyperthyroidism / heart disease / anemia; too slow + hypothermia = critical (think hyperkalemia, urethral obstruction). The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What should I note about respiratory rate in cats?

16–40 breaths/min (Merck Veterinary Manual Resting Respiratory Rates table: "16–40" breaths/min, <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-respiratory-rates>, verified 2026-07-30) ｜ Sleeping respiratory rate (SRR) at home is the most practical home monitor for heart disease (✅ existence verified: Porciello F, Rishniw M, Ljungvall I, et al. "Sleeping and resting respiratory rates in dogs and cats with medically-controlled left-sided congestive heart failure." *Vet J* 2016;207:164-168. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

猫の呼吸数（respiratory rate）について何に注意すべきですか？ — 16–40 回/分（Merck Veterinary Manual Resting Respiratory Rates 表：「16–40」breaths/min、<https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-respiratory-rates>、確認 2026-07-30） ｜ 自宅での睡眠時呼吸数（sleeping respiratory rate, SRR）は心疾患に対する最も実用的な自宅モニタリングです（✅存在確認済み：Porciello F, Rishniw M, Ljungvall I, et al. "Sleeping and resting respiratory rates in dogs and cats with medically-controlled left-sided congestive heart failure." *Vet J* 2016;207:164-168。実際の判断は獣医師が個別の症例に応じて行う必要があり、本記事は薬剤名と用量を記載しません。

What should I note about respiratory rate in cats? — 16–40 breaths/min (Merck Veterinary Manual Resting Respiratory Rates table: "16–40" breaths/min, <https://www.merckvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-respiratory-rates>, verified 2026-07-30) ｜ Sleeping respiratory rate (SRR) at home is the most practical home monitor for heart disease (✅ existence verified: Porciello F, Rishniw M, Ljungvall I, et al. "Sleeping and resting respiratory rates in dogs and cats with medically-controlled left-sided congestive heart failure." *Vet J* 2016;207:164-168. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.