Every dog owner worries when their pup isnât well. Knowing what to do and how to help them can put your mind at ease, especially when youâre in a crisis. Dog fever symptoms can be caused by various conditions, so itâs worth knowing the signs. If your dog gets too far outside of the normal dog temperature range, then itâs time to call the vet. So, what are the symptoms and signs of dog fever?
Key takeaways:
A normal dog temperature ranges from 101â102.5°F (38.3â39.2°C).
A fever is typically a temperature above 103°F (39.4°C).
Signs include lethargy, warm ears or nose, glassy eyes, and loss of appetite.
Causes can include infections, inflammatory diseases, toxins, or vaccine reactions.
Temperatures over 106°F (41.1°C) are a medical emergency.
What Is a Fever in Dogs?
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, a fever is an elevated dog body temperature. What youâd expect to see when measuring dog temperature is 101-102.5°F (38.3-39.2°C), with 102.6-103°F (39.2-39.4°C) being a high temperature and with temperatures over 103°F (39.4°C) considered a fever, and those over 106°F (41.1°C) potentially lethal. Worried owners sometimes think a fever is hyperthermia (which is technically true within scientific studies), but donât panic because there is a major difference. A fever is a controlled rise in temperature caused by an immune response, and hyperthermia is a rise in temperature because the dogâs cooling systems failed to respond reasonably.
What Counts as a Fever in Dogs?
Temperature (°F / °C) | Classification | Notes |
101â102.5°F / 38.3â39.2°C | Normal | Typical healthy dog temperature |
102.6â103°F / 39.2â39.4°C | Elevated (High Temperature) | May or may not indicate illness |
Over 103°F / 39.4°C | Fever | Suggests an immune responseâcontact your vet |
Over 106°F / 41.1°C | Potentially Lethal Fever | Medical emergencyâseek immediate veterinary care |
How to Tell If Your Dog Has a Fever
Dogs have both behavioral and physical symptoms when they get a fever. If you think your dog has a fever but you havenât taken their temperature yet, look out for these symptoms:
Lethargy or decreased energy
Shivering or trembling
Warm ears or nose
Red or glassy eyes
Loss of appetite
Panting or breathing changes
Coughing
Vomiting or diarrhea
How to Measure Your Dogâs Temperature
The most obvious way of checking if your dog has a fever is by checking their temperature. The best way to do this is with a digital rectal thermometer. You can also find ear thermometers out on the market, but because of the shape of a dog's ear canal and the likelihood of earwax, debris, or infection being present, it can be less accurate than a rectal thermometer. Using a rectal thermometer might get you some side-eye from your canine companion but treats should earn you some forgiveness. For their comfort (and your own), make sure to lubricate the thermometer (usually with petroleum jelly, baby oil, or a water-based lubricant) and do it in a calm environment.Â
After that, follow these instructions to take their temperature:
Gently lift your dogâs tail.
Insert the thermometer about 1-2 inches into their rectum.
Hold the thermometer against the rectal wall until the thermometer indicates a reading (it might beep).
Remove the thermometer and clean it.
Common Causes of Fever in Dogs
Like in humans, there are some really common ways for dogs to get a fever, even if theyâre not obvious to the average person.
Infections
Dogs can get a fever when they have an infection â itâs their body attempting to kill the infection invading their system. There are three main forms of infection:
Bacterial
Just like humans, dogs are at risk of a whole host of bacterial infections, from skin infections and ear infections to stomach bugs or urinary tract infections. If your canine companion has recently had surgery or gotten hurt, be on high alert for fever! Post-operative infections and infected wounds can be life-threatening depending on what the infection targets and its severity.
ViralÂ
Some of the viruses that dogs can get, like influenza or coronavirus, might sound familiar, but donât worry, your canine companion canât get sick from our infections. Instead, there are canine versions of these illnesses. While these canât cross the species barrier, so you arenât at risk of getting sick from your dog, canine influenza, canine distemper, canine coronavirus, and infections like kennel cough in unvaccinated dogs should all be worrying for pet owners. Get them to a vet as soon as possible if you think your dog has contracted any of these illnesses.
Fungal
Fungal infections are a little more of a concern to pet owners, as some of them can be transferred from dog to human, like ringworm. Fungal infections can be treated with medications and antifungal baths. These infections can cause fever as the body is trying to kill the fungus.
Inflammatory DiseasesÂ
Some inflammatory diseases, like pancreatitis, can cause a fever in dogs. Vets can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to help treat these illnesses, and fever management may be a part of the treatment plan.
Vaccination Reaction
Vaccines are an essential part of a dogâs welfare, but they can come along with some unpleasant side effects. One of those is a fever. In these cases, the fever should be temporary, but if it gets to a dangerous level or it goes on for more than 24-48 hours, take them back to the vet to get checked over.
Toxin Ingestion
If a dog is to ingest something they shouldnât like antifreeze, human medications, chocolate, xylitol, or toxic plants, then their body will react with a fever as the brain believes the body is under attack. Be especially careful with seasonal flowers. As lovely as flowers are as a gift, many like daffodils, tulips, or azaleas can be toxic.
UnknownÂ
Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) is a condition that can sound concerning, because surely something that raises a dogâs body temperature has to have a cause, right? Yes and no. While diagnosing the cause of a fever can take time, sometimes a fever needs immediate attention, so until the cause is found, it may be labeled as FUO so the vet can treat it. Once they have the root cause (which, according to Davies Veterinary specialists, could be from any of the kinds of infections listed above, drug reactions, or even cancer), then they can treat that.
When to Call the Vet
Sometimes a mild fever on its own isnât anything to worry about. However, knowing when to call your vet is imperative when faced with more serious symptoms.
If your dog is experiencing:
A fever above 103.5°F (39.7°C)
A fever lasting more than 24-48 hours
A fever that is accompanied by vomiting, seizures, or disorientation
If your dog appears to be in pain, is collapsing, or is refusing to eat or drink
If the dog with a fever is a puppy, senior, or immunocompromised for any reason
In any of these cases, you must get your dog seen by a vet as soon as possible. Seizures and temperatures over 106°F (41.1°C) should be treated as an emergency.
How Vets Diagnose and Treat Dog Fevers
Vets have a variety of different ways of diagnosing and treating a fever, a lot of which most people donât have access to at home.
Diagnostic process
Bloodwork is often the first line of defense, giving vets a clear view of if there is infection present. The next line would be urinalysis (a urine analysis), which might show other illnesses and also indicate the presence of other substances in the dog's body. The last most common port of call would be doing imaging work.
Common treatments
Your vetâs goal will be to find the source of the fever and reduce the dogâs body temperature. Depending on what is causing the fever, this could involve antibiotics or antiviral medication, or anti-inflammatory medication.Â
If youâre looking at your own pills after reading that, please never give your dog human medication!Â
While NSAIDs and acetaminophen can be highly effective for us, depending on the medication and dose, they can be fatal to your pet. Let your vet handle the medicines used. Your vet may also give your dog IV fluids as the extra fluid not only keeps them hydrated, but it also helps to reduce their temperature. Finally, they may enforce supportive care and rest. A fever is often a sign that there is something wrong, and your dog needs all the energy they can get to recover.
What You Can (and Canât) Do at Home
Do | Donât |
Encourage water and rest | Encourage hard play or running |
Use a cool, damp cloth on paws/ears (with vet approval) | Give ice cubes if your dog has a fever |
Move dog to calm, quiet space | Give human medications |
Keep a record of temperature and behavior | â |
Note new symptoms with context and documentation | â |
Take photos/videos for vet | â |
Conclusion: Spotting and Responding to Fever in Dogs
Spotting a dog fever can be the key to getting your dog help. Remember, the sooner your vet can find the cause of the fever, the sooner they can help your pet get back down to a dog normal temperature. While a mild fever can be a natural response to infection, persistent and severe fevers need medical attention. If youâre ever unsure or worried, a quick temperature check and a vet call can put your mind at ease and get your dog the treatment they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible for a dog's fever to resolve on its own without treatment?
It is possible, however, if the fever lasts for more than 24-48 hours, or is higher than 103.5°F, take them to see a vet.
What medicine can you give a dog for a fever?
You should never give a dog human medication, as they can be toxic to dogs. Always speak to your vet if you think your dog needs medication for their fever.
What happens when a dog gets a fever?
They might show symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, shivering, increased heart and breathing rates, vomiting, diarrhea, panting, red or glassy eyes, and they might have warm ears and a warm nose.
What is the normal body temperature for dogs?
The normal dog temperature is 101-102.5°F (38.3â39.2°C).
Can dogs get the flu from humans?
No, dogs canât get the human version of the flu, but they can catch the canine version of the influenza virus. Rest assured, itâs safe to cuddle your canine companion when you have a cold.
