Common Causes of Cat Fever: What You Need to Know

Section 1: Feline Infectious Fever

1. Upper Respiratory Infection

The most common cause of fever in cats is an upper respiratory infection, often due to viral colds. When cats are suffering from a cold, the most noticeable symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Fever typically occurs when the body responds to inflammation and infection.

2. Bacterial Infection

When cats sustain injuries and the wounds are not properly cleaned, they can become susceptible to bacterial infections when exposed to the air for an extended period. Such infections can lead to inflammation, which in turn can cause fever.

3. Parasitic Infection

Both internal and external parasitic infections can cause fever in cats. External parasites, such as fleas, can lead to constant scratching and open wounds, making cats prone to bacterial infections. Internally, parasites can chew on the cat's intestines, causing bleeding and internal infections that result in fever.

4. Feline Viral Diseases

The most classic example is feline infectious peritonitis, which can cause cats to have persistent lowgrade fever along with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

Section 2: NonInfectious Fever

1. Vaccine Side Effects

After vaccination, some cats with weaker constitutions may experience a lowgrade fever due to the side effects of the immune response. Typically, this does not require medical intervention, and the cat should recover within 12 days.

2. Poisoning

Both drug and food poisoning can lead to sudden high fevers in cats, such as when they ingest an excessive amount of caffeine, resulting in a high fever.

3. Stress Response

Cats under stress can affect their immune system, leading to increased mental stress that can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. This can manifest as unexplained vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, or irregular urination, and in severe cases, trigger feline herpesvirus. Before understanding the reasons behind a cat's fever, it's important to know what temperature constitutes a fever in cats.