Cat Pulse
Discover How To Check For A Cat Pulse

Knowing how to check for a cat pulse and knowing what the proper cat heart rate is important cat care topics.  Veterinarians refer to cat heart rate and her temperature as cat care vital statistics.  You can also amaze your friends with this bit of cat trivia. ;>

The normal resting cat heart rate is 150 - 200 beats per minute (bpm).  The normal human resting heart rate is 60-70 beats per minute.  So the cat heart rate is nearly 2.5 times that of a humans.   

Best Place To Check Her Pulse

The easiest place to check for your cat's pulse is the femoral artery in the groin area.

Place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide your hand upward until the back of your fingers touches the abdomen. Gently move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the pulsing blood.

Is your cat looking at you funny? 

Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. This will give you the beats per minute (bpm).

If the pulse is elevated, then you may be dealing with a nervous pet, an underlying metabolic disease, such as hyperthyroidism, or a primary heart problem.

If you have a rectal thermometer you can take your cat's temperature.  A normal cat's temperature is 102 F (38.5 C).  Get assistance holding your cat in order to take her temperature.  Taking your cat's temperature involves placing a rectal thermometer in their rectum. If your pet has a temperature of 103.5 F (39.5 C) or more, she has a fever.

The thermometer should be almost clean when removed.  Abnormalities are indicated by blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool on the thermometer or in the litter box.

Don't Let Your Cat Dehydrate

If your cat's pulse is slow and weak or she is running a fever, then prepare your cat for a trip to the vet.

It is critical to get her attention if she has stopped drinking fluids as felines dehydrate very quickly.  Look for other clues to her condition in the area like plants that may have been eaten or any poisonous products left out accidentally.