HOW HOT SHOULD MY DOG BE?

On cold nights, there’s nothing better than snuggling up on the couch with your dog; you’ve probably noticed that hugging your furry companion is a lot like hugging a small hot water bottle. Because a dog’s normal core temperature is higher than that of a human’s, your dog will usually always feel comfortable being cuddled.

A small deviation in temperature from your dog’s typical body temperature can have a devastating effect on their health. Keeping tabs on your dog’s health and recognizing signs of illness, like a fever or heatstroke, can be as simple as taking their temperature and comparing it to the normal range for dogs.

Exactly what is the ideal temperature for a dog, and how can you determine whether Fido is there?

WHAT SHOULD A DOG’S TEMPERATURE BE?

The ideal body temperature for an adult dog is between 38.3 and 39.2 degrees Celsius (101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Depending on what’s “normal” for your dog, your dog’s temperature may occasionally be a touch higher or lower than this ideal. It should still be between 37.2 and 39.4 degrees Celsius (99 and 103 Fahrenheit).

Dogs show some outward signs of hypothermia and hyperthermia, but by the time you notice any change in your dog’s behavior or appearance, their temperature is already dangerously low or high. In order to determine whether or not your dog’s temperature is abnormal, you should use a thermometer rather than relying on your own senses.

WHEN IS A DOG’S TEMPERATURE TOO LOW?

There is probably not much cause for panic if your dog’s temperature drops to 37.2 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit). On the other hand, if their temperature drops below that mark, you should seek veterinary attention immediately. Hypothermia is characterized by an abnormally low core body temperature.

Mild hypothermia is characterized by a core body temperature between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius (90 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit). When your dog’s body temperature lowers to between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius (82 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit), they are experiencing moderate hypothermia.

Your dog’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems will be negatively impacted by hypothermia, making breathing harder and creating heart and blood pressure problems. Extremely low body temperatures in dogs can cause them to become unconscious and very feeble. In extreme circumstances, hypothermia can be lethal.

How cold or hot should I keep my dog?

The temperature of my dog is…
Shaking, weakness, and decreased reflexes and awareness are among symptoms of hypothermia. Dogs suffering from hypothermia will be rigid and listless, with a slow, shallow breathing rate and a low heart rate.

It’s important to gently reheat a dog with a low fever and get them to the vet as soon as possible. Cover your dog with a blanket to stop his body heat from escaping. Wrapping a hot water bottle in a blanket or towel can prevent it from burning the recipient and will help them feel warmer. If they start to feel too warm, they should be able to get out from under the covers or other heat sources.

In order to avoid sending your dog into shock, it is important to slowly raise their body temperature.

WHEN IS A DOG’S TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH?

When the temperature of a dog reaches 39.4 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit), we consider it to be excessively high. Although it is not uncommon for a dog’s temperature to rise slightly above normal when it is experiencing intense emotions like excitement or stress, a temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius or more is considered a fever or an indication of heatstroke.

Extreme panting, dehydration, lethargy, difficulty breathing, an elevated heart rate, vomiting, and weakness are all signs that your dog’s temperature may be too high.

When your dog’s internal organs start shutting down due to a temperature higher than 40.5°C (105°F), the situation is critical.

If your dog has a high temperature, you should always take precautions to bring it down before taking it to the clinic. Extreme heat can swiftly kill a dog or cause severe organ damage. The prognosis for your dog improves, though, if you begin trying to cool it down and bring it to the clinic as soon as possible.

What temperature is ideal for my dog to be in?

What temperature is ideal for my dog?
If your hot dog is conscious enough, you should try to get it to sip some water. If they can’t, it could be a good idea to spritz their gums with water or rub some water on them. Misting them with a spray bottle of water or dribbling a small amount of water on their fur is another option. Another method to cool off your dog is to wet a towel and lay it on them.

If your dog has overheated, you should never spritz them with cold water or submerge them in water. This is because a sudden drop in temperature might send their body into shock.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOG’S TEMPERATURE

If your dog is a fidget, you may need assistance holding it still while you take its temperature, but otherwise, taking your dog’s temperature at home is a breeze. A digital rectal thermometer and some petroleum jelly, such as basic vaseline, are all that is required. A lubricant that is simply water-based can also be employed.

A digital thermometer should never be used on anything other than a human. Take your dog’s temperature, and I guarantee you’ll never want to use that thermometer again for yourself! If you want to avoid unintentionally taking your own temperature with your pet’s thermometer, it’s a good idea to buy a separate thermometer for them and label it “PET” or “DOG” with marker pen. Very soon, you’ll realize why.

Rectal temperature measurement with a digital thermometer inserted into your dog’s bottom will yield the most precise results. It’s the most convenient approach to get an accurate temperature reading from your dog, as the dog can be held still while you take the reading.

When taking a temperature, a rectal thermometer is preferred to an aural thermometer (which is placed in the ear) if the user is unsure of how to take the temperature. The L-shaped ear canal of a dog makes it tricky to get an accurate reading with a thermometer because the animal would likely toss its head if you push it in there. Conversely, oral thermometers are notoriously inaccurate since the dog is more likely to bite you or the thermometer, in addition to tossing its head violently.

HOW TO TAKE YOUR DOG’S TEMPERATURE

Taking a dog’s temperature is easiest when the animal is lying on its side. Even if you have to stand your dog still while you take his temperature, he may still try to move away from or even sit on the thermometer. They’ll be less likely to move around if you lay them on their side, so you can keep the thermometer in place more easily.

The thermometer can be inserted more easily if you rub some petroleum jelly on its tip. After that, you’ll want to carefully place the thermometer’s tip in your dog’s rectum. Push it in just enough so the thermometer’s tip is submerged. For toy and medium-sized dogs, insert it roughly an inch; for larger dogs, up to two inches.

The thermometer needs to be kept in the rectum for 30-60 seconds, or until the reading begins to rise and then levels off. After taking a reading, the vast majority of thermometers also emit a beep. Then take a look at the temperature reading on the screen after removing the thermometer (and perhaps wiping the probe with a tissue or antibacterial wet wipe).

Many dogs will flinch or turn their head to see what’s going on because this is clearly not the most pleasant or comfortable experience for them. Having a second person there who can hold your dog still and fuss over them can be helpful. Once the thermometer is in place, however, most dogs calm down and accept the procedure with relative ease.

Lessening your dog’s anxiety will make life easier for both you and your pet. You could also try deconditioning your dog by offering treats while you take its temperature in the hopes that it will learn that getting its temperature taken isn’t so bad and that it will get a nice reward if it sits still. Many dogs become accustomed to having their temperature taken without showing any anxiety.

You can take your dog to the vet if you’re worried about whether or not he’s too hot or cold, as vets are equipped to do so.