How do I know if my dog is running a fever without a thermometer?
Natalia Bruen
2025-07-31 08:50:59
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One reason it can be difficult to detect fevers in dogs is that their normal body temperature is naturally higher than in humans.
The normal body temperature for dogs is between 101 and 102.5 F, compared to 97.6 to 99.6 F for humans.
This means your dog may feel feverish to you even when their temperature is completely normal.
Although there are no definite signs, some symptoms that might indicate illness and fever in dogs include:
Lethargy
Depressed mood
Shivering
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Coughing
Nasal discharge.
The only accurate way to tell if your dog has an increased body temperature is to take their rectal temperature.
Experts recommend using a digital thermometer specifically designed for rectal use in dogs.
Most thermometers intended for use in human ears do not work well for this purpose.
To take your dog’s temperature, first coat the thermometer with a lubricant such as petroleum gel or baby oil.
Next, gently insert the thermometer about one inch into your dog’s anus and wait for results.
Most thermometers sold for this purpose will take less than 60 seconds to register.
Beatrice Hauck
2025-07-31 08:31:34
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Fevers in dogs can be difficult to detect at home on your own, and are often discovered at the veterinary office. This is because a dog’s temperature is naturally higher than a human’s temperature—it’s impossible to detect a fever by touching a dog’s skin. The only way of accurately knowing if your dog has a fever is to take their rectal temperature with a digital thermometer. If a dog does not seem ill, there’s no benefit to taking your dog’s temperature at home on a regular basis, because it can also go up with overactivity, stress, anxiety or if your dog has been outside in a warm environment. If you think that your dog may be ill, taking his temperature at home is a good start. If your dog has a fever above 102.5 F, that warrants a visit to the veterinarian. It’s considered an emergency if your dog is extremely lethargic, has blood in their stool or vomit, stops eating, or has a fever above 104.5 F.
Meta Purdy
2025-07-31 07:56:09
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Some people believe that if you feel your dog’s nose and if it’s wet and cold your dog’s temperature is fine, and if it is hot and dry it means a fever. However, this is not an accurate indicator that your dog has a fever. The most common symptoms of a fever in dogs are: Red or glassy-looking eyes Warm ears and/or nose Shivering Panting Runny nose Decreased energy Loss of appetite Coughing Vomiting. If you notice a significant change in your dog’s behavior this will be your first sign that your dog is not well. You should keep a careful eye on your dog and take note of your dog's symptoms. Any combination of the following symptoms is a good indication that you should check your dog’s temperature.
Victoria Konopelski
2025-07-31 06:53:50
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Many people believe that if you feel your dog’s nose and if it’s wet and cold your dog’s temperature is fine, and if it is hot and dry it means a fever. However, this is not an accurate indicator that your dog has a fever. The most common symptoms of a fever in dogs are: Red or glassy-looking eyes Warm ears and/or nose Shivering Panting Runny nose Decreased energy Loss of appetite Coughing Vomiting. If you notice a significant change in your pup’s behavior this will be your first sign that your dog is not well. You should keep a careful eye on your dog and take note of your pet's symptoms. Any combination of the following symptoms is a good indication that you should check your dog’s temperature or contact your vet right away. Detecting fevers in dogs can be challenging because their body temperatures can increase when they are very excited or stressed. Also, a dog’s temperature can vary throughout the day and sometimes at night. Therefore, it is important to understand your dog’s healthy temperature. You can determine this by noting your dog's temperature at various times of the day, for several days. It is also the case that no-touch thermometers designed for people do not give an accurate reading of your dog's temperature.
Mercedes Stoltenberg
2025-07-31 04:42:30
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If you are seeing any of the above symptoms or think your dog may have a temperature, it is best to take them to the vet. They can take your dog’s temperature, look at any other symptoms and suggest any treatment if necessary. When humans suffer from a temperature, we may combat it with some paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, this should not be administered to your dog as you should only give medication that has been prescribed by your vet.
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