What temperature should a dog have and how to measure it correctly

Maintaining the health of your dog requires you to be aware of their body temperature. Since dogs are unable to communicate their health to us, being aware of their typical body temperature can help you identify any symptoms of illness early on. A dog’s temperature, like that of a human, can provide valuable insight into their health.

This post will describe the ideal temperature range for dogs and provide instructions on how to measure it at home. Don’t worry, if you follow the right procedures, taking your dog’s temperature is easy. When taking care of your pet, it’s a helpful skill that can ease your mind.

Topic	Description
Normal Dog Temperature	A healthy dog"s temperature should be between 100.5°F and 102.5°F (38°C to 39.2°C).
How to Measure	Use a digital rectal thermometer for the most accurate reading.
Steps to Measure	Gently insert the thermometer into the dog’s rectum and wait for the reading, usually in 60 seconds.
Signs of Fever	Look for signs like lethargy, warm ears, or shivering if the temperature is over 103°F.

When to measure temperature

Since only illnesses are signs of a dog’s body temperature, pet owners shouldn’t find out what their dog’s daily temperature is. An animal’s normalcy is determined by the veterinarian when the animal is examined at a clinic after it has just appeared at home.

Puppies raised for breeding have their body temperatures taken every day to track their health. Owners can use the special charts provided by breeders as a reference.

The indicator is also checked often during pregnancy, even after the puppies have emerged. The body temperature drops shortly before birth, but this is normal.

Crucial! The dog’s body temperature is taken twice a day in case of illness, and doctors occasionally suggest writing down the indicators to monitor the dynamics.

The typical range of a dog’s body temperature is 38.3 to 39.2°C, or 101 to 102.5°F. It’s critical to keep an eye on their temperature if they appear ill or seem unwell. Use a pet-specific digital thermometer to measure it accurately; for best results, take the reading rectally. Keep your cool and be kind to your dog at all times to prevent upset.

What should the temperature be

Prior to taking the dog’s temperature at home, you should learn which signs point to a good level of health. The pet’s temperature is normal if its indicator falls between 37.3 and 39.3. As the range is wide and diagnosing a disease in a dog can be challenging, it is best to first ascertain what is typical for that specific pet. It is dependent upon multiple factors:

• breed;
• physiological characteristics;
• age, weight, body size.

Dogs in good health experience daily variations in body temperature of no more than 0.5 degrees. These kinds of changes are normal, so visiting a doctor is not necessary.

If the vet said nothing concerning this indicator, it will be simpler to determine the breed-appropriate temperature for the dog.

Large breeds

Because of their larger bodies, large dogs always have a lower body temperature than small dogs. Their body does not produce as much energy and their metabolism is slower, which already has an impact on the indicator.

Large dogs typically have a body temperature of 37.3 to 38.5 degrees. Dogs over 28 kg or taller than 60 cm are classified as large. Great Danes, Labradors, Mastiffs, Dobermans, Shepherds, and Dalmatians are a few examples of these.

Medium

The ideal temperature for medium-sized animals, which include pets weighing between 10 and 28 kg and measuring 40 to 60 cm at the withers, should be discussed separately. Sheltie, collie, spanie, husky, and shar pei are regarded as medium breeds. The ideal body temperature range for these dogs is 37.6–39 degrees.

Small

Since small breed dogs have the highest temperature readings, ranging from 38.4 to 39.3 degrees, it is important to know ahead of time what is considered normal for them.

This category comprises all breeds, such as dachshunds, pugs, spitz, lapdogs, Yorkshire terriers, shih tzus, and cresteds, that weigh no more than 10 kg and 40 cm at the withers. The highest readings are typically found in terriers and Chihuahuas; in healthy humans, the reading is about 39 degrees.

Puppies

Puppies of nearly all dog breeds typically have a body temperature between 37.5 and 39 degrees. It can occasionally be 33 degrees in newborns, but this is also regarded as normal. Puppies’ fast metabolism means that their readings need to be checked frequently because they fluctuate so much.

Choosing a thermometer

Sometimes pet owners don’t know how to take their pets’ temperatures; they only learn that it’s done rectally after speaking with a veterinarian. It is therefore preferable to purchase her a separate thermometer so that you can take her body temperature on a regular basis.

The thermometer is either left where the combs and other grooming supplies are located, or it is placed in the dog’s first aid kit.

You should select a thermometer before taking a dog’s temperature at home. Both an electronic and a mercury thermometer work well for this, although the electronic thermometer has more features.

Mercury

Mercury-filled glass tubes have been in use for a very long time. Because of their mere 0.1 degree error, mercury thermometers are thought to be more accurate. It is inexpensive—it costs no more than 60 rubles—and it will last for decades. It is also simple to handle.

This thermometer’s fragility and the requirement to time it for thirty minutes in order to determine the indicator are its drawbacks. When it comes to animals, this isn’t always the best course of action because not everyone knows how to take a dog’s temperature and maintain it there for ten minutes. Calm pets can use it, but only if their owner knows how to handle them carefully.

Electronic

Because it emits a sound signal when the process is finished, this device can quickly determine the pet’s temperature. It is thought to be safe because it won’t break under an animal’s sharp movements, but its accuracy isn’t that great and the devices cost up to 200,000 rubles.

How to measure

You should move on to the procedure itself after someone has measured a dog’s normal body temperature and taken a thermometer for that purpose.

The position of the pet

Because it is more convenient to keep the dog on its side or stomach, the veterinarian typically requests that the dog lie there before taking its temperature. On the other hand, a standing position is acceptable if the owner can maintain control over it.

How to put a thermometer

If someone else uses a thermometer, it is cleaned with alcohol or another substance before use. Vaseline or cream is used to lubricate the device’s tip so the animal won’t feel uncomfortable.

The dog’s tail is raised prior to taking its temperature, and the device is then inserted into the anus. The device’s depth varies with the size of the dog: puppies should not have it deeper than 1 cm, large dogs should have it deeper than 2 cm, and small dogs should have it no deeper than 1.5 cm.

How long to wait

The electronic thermometer indicates when the process is finished, and the mercury thermometer must be held for ten minutes.

How to behave

The owner shouldn’t tense up and act strangely because the dog can sense when they are afraid. Invite a second person to assist you with this procedure so they can hold the dog close to your head if you’re afraid it will suddenly wave its paw or try to escape.

Counseling! To prevent the pet from thinking about the thermometer, you should talk to it and stroke its head while measuring the temperature.

Is it possible to find out the temperature without a thermometer

Some dog owners believe that touching a dog’s nose will easily reveal how it feels. Excellent health is not indicated by a cold nose. Dogs are olfactory animals, and their sense of smell is enhanced in colder weather. They lick it frequently in an attempt to improve their scent as a result.

A pet’s nose stays dry and warm while it sleeps because it uses its hearing alone to assess its surroundings. For this reason, when they first wake up, some pet owners worry about their animals’ health.

You shouldn’t rely on the nose because it might be hot and wet in the summer or when the pet is dehydrated; doing so will only lead to confusion.

In the event that a thermometer is not available, you can determine the condition of the animal’s health by looking at the skin behind its ears or paws. They get hot at high temperatures; even in the absence of a thermometer, this is apparent.

Reduced body temperature causes slower, shallower breathing than usual. Additionally, there is a lightening of the skin, limb tremors, and enlarging of the pupils.

Maintaining the health of your dog depends in large part on knowing what their typical temperature is. Consistent observation can assist you in identifying possible problems before they worsen.

Using an ear or rectal thermometer to take a dog’s temperature is easy. To ensure your pet feels comfortable throughout the procedure, just keep your composure and be gentle.

Never hesitate to see a veterinarian if you think your dog’s temperature is abnormally high or low. It can significantly impact your dog’s health and wellbeing to take swift action.

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