# Normal Temperature, Heart Rate & Respiratory Rate of Cats

> Normal vital signs of cats: rectal temperature 38.1–39.2 °C (100.5–102.5 °F), resting heart rate 120–140 beats/min, respiratory rate 16–40 breaths/min — with the ranges of two references compared.

- Source page: https://wevet.in/normal-values/cat-2/
- Type: Normal values
- Publisher: WeVet
- Updated: 2026-11-01
- Audience: veterinarians and veterinary students

Reference ranges for the vital signs of the cat from the MSD Veterinary Manual tables, adapted from *Dukes' Physiology of Domestic Animals* [1][2][3], compared with the UC Davis California Veterinary Emergency Team chart [4].

## Reference ranges

| Parameter | Cat | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rectal temperature | 38.1–39.2 °C (100.5–102.5 °F) | [1] |
| Resting heart rate | 120–140 beats/min | [2] |
| Resting respiratory rate | 16–40 breaths/min | [3] |
| Estimated blood volume (used in transfusion calculations) | 40–60 mL/kg | [5] |

## How the references compare

Published reference ranges differ between sources. Each range below is printed as its source gives it; °C values marked * are converted from the source's °F.

| Parameter | MSD Veterinary Manual [1][2][3] | UC Davis CVET [4] |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 38.1–39.2 °C (100.5–102.5 °F) | 100.0–102.5 °F (37.8–39.2 °C*) |
| Heart rate (beats/min) | 120–140 | 100–140 |
| Respiratory rate (breaths/min) | 16–40 | 20–30 |

## Other findings in a healthy cat

The UC Davis chart lists as normal: pink, moist mucous membranes; a capillary refill time under 2 seconds; and a bright, alert, responsive (BAR) demeanour [4].

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the normal temperature of a cat?

The MSD Veterinary Manual table gives 38.1–39.2 °C (100.5–102.5 °F) [1]; the UC Davis chart lists 100.0–102.5 °F [4].

### What is a normal heart rate for a cat?

120–140 beats per minute at rest in the MSD table [2]; 100–140 in the UC Davis chart [4].

### What is the normal respiratory rate of a cat?

16–40 breaths per minute in the MSD table [3]; 20–30 in the UC Davis chart [4].

## References

[1] Normal Rectal Temperature Ranges (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/normal-rectal-temperature-ranges
[2] Resting Heart Rates (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-heart-rates
[3] Resting Respiratory Rates (table) — MSD Veterinary Manual. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/resting-respiratory-rates
[4] Normal Vital Signs (vitals chart) — California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET), University of California, Davis (June 2024). https://cvet.sf.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk13661/files/inline-files/CVET%20Vital%20Signs%2006_2024.pdf
[5] Blood Transfusions in Dogs and Cats — Blois S — Merck Veterinary Manual (reviewed 2024). https://www.merckvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/blood-groups-and-blood-transfusions/blood-transfusions-in-animals

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Numbers in [brackets] cite the references above. For veterinary professionals. Information supports — never replaces — clinical judgement; always check the current product label and local regulations.
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