Learn How To Check Your Dog's Temperature Without A Pet Thermometer

Learn How To Check Your Dog's Temperature Without A Pet Thermometer

If you don’t have a pet thermometer at home but suspect your dog is running a fever, you may believe the old myth that you just need to check your dog’s nose. If the nose is moist, it’s all good, and if it’s dry and warm, it’s bad.

This is totally false and there is no correlation between a dog’s nose and their temperature! So if you want to know if your dog is truly sick without a thermometer, you’ll need to rely on your senses and ability to detect symptoms.

A fever in a dog is 103 °F and above, higher than a standard human fever. Symptoms of a canine fever include:

  • Vomiting
  • Shivering
  • Appetite loss
  • Decreased urination
  • Nasal discharge
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Lethargy
  • Coughing
  • Shock
  • Depression

You can attempt to lower a fever in your dog by:

  • Maintaining hydration; if your dog doesn’t want to drink, use a dropper to feed them
  • Apply a cool compress on the stomach area where your dog’s skin shows
  • Contact a vet and ask about possible medications

It is recommended that you purchase a rectal or ear thermometer for your dog anyway, as it’s a good item to have in a medical kit for your dog at home. If you suspect a serious fever, take your dog to the vet immediately.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

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