Tips for taking your cat's temp by yourself

As we all know, no cat likes having their temperature taken. Currently my kittens are on a antibiotic for an uri, and over the last couple of days I noticed that my 2 year old boy was exhibiting some symptoms that make me think he has picked up their uri. So I decided a call to the vet was necessary. Before calling I decided that having all information that I could provide would be good including his temp incase running a fever. I have a themometer that is dedicated for the cat. What I am wondering is if anyone has any good tips for taking their cat's temp when you don't have a helper. I know it is not a pleasant experience for them and want to make as unstressful as possible.

Personally speaking I would let the vet do it, esp if you're off to see him anyway! I don't think I would trust myself not to hurt him accidentally.  However, could you get some help from a neighbour for a couple of mins to help hold your cat down? if not, roll him up in a towel.  I suspect youtube here may be your friend!  Hope all of your cats get better soon..

You CAN take the temp in the armpit too...  Pretend it is a new play.

say the foreleg-armpit.

The temperature is lower there, compared with the usual measuring in the behind.

count with 3 grades Fahrenheit  lesser, about 99F, or just a a grade and a trifle Celsius grade lesser, about 37,4C.

I wont swear you will get the exact pinpoint of temp, but you will see the tendencies...  so it is wise to measure your cats temp when everything is calm and all right, so you do have a reference temp - and see the changes...

If you take it in the behind, warm up the thermometer to your body temp, and also smear a little food oil or butter, so it goes in easily and not bothering so much.

Good luck!

ps. with a severlely cooled down cat it wont work, the core temp is most important in these cases.

but in a normal home situation it should do OK, measuring in the armpit.

I use an ear canal thermometer.  That's what they use at the cat only vet, and I've been using one for the past several years.  If you've got young kittens, you can get the baby size one.  I use the regular adult size one on my cats.  Just gently pull the ear flap up, gently insert the thermometer into the ear and wait for the beep telling you the temp has registered.

Thanks StefanZ for the information on temp under the arm. For a quick check with little trauma this probably will be the easiest for now.

Stephanietx, I will definitly need to look into investing in an ear canal thermometer. The prices have become more affordable on them, definitly an a worthy investment.

For the most part my cats are usually healthy, this latest uri I believe came from the shelter where I got my kittens from. The last uri I dealt with was 2 years ago when I got Taz from the humane society. Other wise expect for Riley's diagnoises of ckd it has been a healthy household.