Being a dog owner, you must learn how to know if a dog has a fever. It is quite tough to detect dog fevers at home as a dog’s temperature is higher than a human’s temperature. It’s important to spot the signs and symptoms of fever in dogs. In today’s post, I will teach you how to know if a dog has fever. There are several reasons dogs can have fevers such as viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. You must get the appropriate treatment and care to ensure their fever doesn’t go bad. Keep on reading to learn more about how to know if a dog has a fever.

How To Know If A Dog Has A Fever?

In this section, I will explain how to know if a dog has a fever. Detecting fevers in dogs can be challenging for new pet owners. 

You can follow these methods to learn how to know if a dog has a fever.

1. Check Body Temperature With A Veterinary Thermometer

The normal body temperature of a dog ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pet dog’s body temperature rises above 103 F, then your dog has a fever. Also, 106F is a very high fever in dogs and indicates that your pet is very sick and weak.

Do you know how to check a dog’s temperature? Simply rinse the thermometer, clean it, and apply petroleum jelly on the tip of the thermometer. Now, carefully insert the thermometer under your dog’s rectum about 1 inch. Note down the reading and gently remove the thermometer.

You can keep on reading to know how to know if a dog has a fever without a thermometer.

2. Observe Other Symptoms

When your pet dog is weak and sick, you’ll notice a significant change in its behavior. This will be your first sign that your pet dog is unwell. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog and note down its symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms of a fever in dogs.

• Red or glassy-looking eyes
• Warm ears
• Warm and runny nose
• Shivering
• Panting
• Decreased energy
• Loss of appetite
• Coughing
• Vomiting

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is better to take your dog to the vet right away.

3. Check and Feel Your Dog’s Ears

Now, how to know if a dog has a fever less than a year old? You can check your pet’s ears whether it is abnormally hot. Generally, a dog’s ear is warm but cold on the tip. Feel your dog’s ears to determine if your dog’s temperature is above average. If you feel hot, then they have a fever.

4. Check and Feel Your Dog’s Nose

Make sure you even check your dog’s nose if you suspect they are having a fever. If they have a yellow or green nasal discharge, they are suffering from some type of infection. This can cause fever in dogs if left unattended. Make sure you visit your pet as soon as possible.

You can keep on reading to learn more about how to know if a dog has a fever.

5. Check Your Dog’s Gums

When your dog is suffering from a high fever, their gums will be dry, warm, and red. Usually, a dog’s gums are pink in color. You can take your dog to the vet to get over-the-counter medicine for dog fever.

6. Check Your Dog’s Body

Many people complain that my dog feels hot to touch. Make sure you thoroughly inspect your dog’s entire body. Check their groin area and armpits. If they are hot and appear swollen, then your dog is having a fever.

Causes Of Fever In Dogs

I hope now you’ve understood how to know if a dog has a fever without a thermometer by observing a dog. Do you know what causes fever in dogs? There are numerous reasons that could develop a high fever in your dog. Here, I’ve listed down common reasons that cause fever in dogs.

• A bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
• Ear infection
• Infected bite, scratch, or cut
• Tooth infection
• Abscess
• Urinary tract infection
• Ingestion of poisonous materials
• Infection of organs like kidneys or lungs

Sometimes, your dog can experience a low-grade fever for 24 to 48 hours after vaccination. Do not worry! This will resolve after a day or so but make sure you monitor them regularly for a couple of days.

It is very crucial to learn how to comfort a dog with a fever. You can bring their body temperature down with a simple dog fever treatment at home. Apply cool water to their fur around the ears and feet to bring down their temperature. You can even use a fan on the damp fur to keep them cool.

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FAQ

Can You Tell If A Dog Has A Fever By Touch?

Dog fevers can be very difficult to detect at home and are often discovered at the veterinary office. This is because a dog’s temperature is naturally higher than a human’s, and it is almost impossible to detect a fever by touching a dog’s skin.

How Can I Check My Dog’s Fever At Home?

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.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has A Fever Without A Thermometer?

You’re probably familiar with the tried and true method many dog owners have relied on to see if their dog has a fever: Feel his nose. If it’s wet and cold, he’s fine. If it’s hot and dry, he probably has a fever.

Can I Give Paracetamol To My Dog?

Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects.

Conclusion

In the above post, I’ve discussed how to know if the dog has a fever in detail. When your dog has a high fever, it will have warm ears/nose, red eyes, shivering, poor appetite, and a temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit. If your vet gives antibiotics to help recover the fever, ensure that your pet swallows the pills properly. You can make them drink lots of water to bring down their body temperature. Or else apply cool water around their paws and ears. Once you understand how to know if a dog has a fever, you can diagnose the cause and treat the fever.