Dogs Can Also Get Fevers

Dogs can get fevers, just like humans. Fever in dogs is usually a sign of illness, but it’s not always clear what the illness is or what the treatment should entail.

How Do You Know If Your Dog Has a Fever?

It’s a common myth that if a dog’s nose is warm, it has a fever. However, a warm nose does not necessarily mean the dog has a fever, as nose temperature can vary quite a lot. If you want to accurately determine if your dog has a fever, you should measure its temperature using a thermometer, preferably rectally.

A dog’s normal temperature typically ranges between 37.5°C and 39°C, but it can vary significantly from one dog to another. It’s therefore advisable to measure your dog’s temperature at various times throughout the day when it is healthy. Additionally, normal temperature measurements should be taken when the dog is relaxed and calm, as physical activity such as playing, walking, or running can temporarily elevate its temperature. Knowing your dog’s normal temperature will help you determine if it has a fever.

Symptoms of fever in dogs can include shivering, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, and weight loss.

How to Measure Your Dog’s Temperature

Clearly, dogs generally don’t enjoy having their temperature taken. Ensure your dog is relaxed and calm during the process. Applying a bit of petroleum jelly to the thermometer can help make the procedure less uncomfortable.

When inserting the thermometer, gently lift the dog’s tail and speak calmly to your dog. Insert the thermometer about 2 centimeters into the rectum and wait until the temperature reading is complete before carefully removing the thermometer.

What Causes Fever in Dogs?

If your dog has a higher-than-normal temperature, you should always contact a veterinarian to identify the cause of the fever. If your dog has recently exercised or been on a walk, wait until it has calmed down before taking its temperature again.

Fever in dogs is usually indicative of illness, and only a veterinarian can determine the underlying cause. Often, a urine or blood test is necessary to identify the reason for the elevated temperature and to ensure proper treatment.

How to Bring Your Dog’s Fever Down

It can be tempting to immediately try to reduce your dog’s fever. However, there have been instances where dog owners have given their dogs fever-reducing medications intended for humans, such as Panodil or Ipren. Never do this. Such medications are toxic to dogs and can be very harmful.

Instead of administering human medications, contact your veterinarian for appropriate guidance.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.