How to Measure a Dog's Body Temperature Without a Thermometer

Touch the Ears and Paw Pads of the Dog. Dogs with a fever often have very hot ears and paws. You can estimate your dog's temperature by using sensitive areas like your cheek or the back of your hand to touch their ears and paws. Are those areas warmer than your body temperature? Healthy dogs typically have a body temperature slightly higher than humans.

• The ears and paw pads of dogs contain many blood vessels. When a dog has a fever, these areas warm up as immune cells in the blood move to inflamed parts of the body. The increased circulation of immune cells generates heat in the blood vessels.
• It is also not uncommon for a dog's left and right ears to have different temperatures. If one ear is warmer than the other, it is usually a sign of an ear infection rather than a fever.

Feel the Dog's Nose. If the dog's nose is hot and accompanied by greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, it is highly likely that the dog has a fever and an infection. Your dog might be battling a respiratory infection, although this symptom may only appear in severe cases. Conditions like kennel cough or canine distemper can also present these signs. Therefore, it is crucial to take your dog to a veterinarian immediately if you notice green or yellow nasal discharge.

• The body temperature and moisture levels of a healthy dog can vary – Interestingly, a dog's nose is usually cold and wet. In reality, a dog's nose can become dry in certain situations, such as lying in the sun, sleeping near a heater, exercising, or when dehydrated. What is your dog's nose normally like? Has your dog recently engaged in any of the above activities that might cause the nose to become hot and dry?

Feel the Dog's Armpits and Groin Area. These areas often become swollen and warm when the dog has a fever or an infection. You can use the back of your hand to check the temperature of the lymph nodes in the armpits and groin. However, ensure your hand is at a normal temperature, neither cold nor hot, as you will use it as a reference.

• Lymph nodes contain immune cells that fight bacteria and viruses, filtering infectious microorganisms from the blood. During an infection, lymph nodes act as defense glands. Immune cells gather in these areas and release substances that stimulate the brain to cause a fever. The lymph nodes become warm and swollen due to inflammation from various immune reactions occurring simultaneously.
• Since the skin in the armpits and groin has less fur, it is easier to feel the dog's temperature in these areas.

Check the Dog's Gums. The gums may feel warm and dry if the dog has a fever. Another important sign to observe is if the gums appear redder than usual, especially if they are bright red like brick. This could indicate a high fever or even sepsis.

• A healthy dog without dental issues will have moist, shiny, and pink gums, similar to humans. You can lift the dog's upper lip behind the canine teeth and place your index finger on the gums to check temperature and moisture. Do the color, temperature, and moisture of the gums resemble yours? If not, an infection might be present.

Check for Signs of Hypothermia. Unwell or shocked dogs may have a low body temperature. In addition to cold extremities, dogs may exhibit temperature regulation behaviors like shivering or goosebumps. Dogs with dangerously low body temperatures will be very weak and may collapse. In such cases, you must take the dog to a veterinarian immediately.

• Note that not all shivering dogs are cold; this can also be a response to stress, anxiety, or pain. Contact a veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog is shivering without an apparent reason.

Observe Other Signs Indicating a Fever in Dogs. Besides measuring your dog's body temperature, one of the first things you can do is observe other signs. It is crucial to note changes in behavior, from difficulty defecating to coughing or a runny nose, as these can provide critical information about an infection. Possible symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy, sluggishness, or reduced activity
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sleeping all day
• Avoiding other dogs

Observe the Dog's Appearance and Behavior. When a dog has a high fever, you can feel the heat radiating from its body even from a meter away without touching it. Other observable symptoms include:

• The dog may pant heavily for extended periods, and you can feel its hot breath on your cheek.
• The dog might be thirstier and drink more than usual due to dehydration from excessive panting.
• The fever can cause joint pain, leading to reluctance to move, difficulty standing, and an unsteady or limping gait.
• A feverish dog may withdraw, become quiet, and lethargic. It might also be unusually irritable when touched due to discomfort.
• The dog may groom itself less, resulting in a messy, patchy, or dry and dull coat.

Pet, Comfort, and Encourage the Dog to Engage in Play. Try to assess the dog's body when it is not sick. Are its eyes dull? Is its coat no longer shiny? Is the dog less noisy and enthusiastic than usual? Any changes in physical traits or behavior could indicate illness.

If the Dog Seems Fine, Check Again After an Hour. If the dog behaves normally, feels warm but appears healthy, let it rest in a cool place for an hour, then recheck its temperature to see if the earlier signs have normalized. Fever is a natural immune response, and you may need to wait to determine if it is serious.

• Remember, if the dog feels hot in its extremities and exhibits abnormal behavior, the condition might be more severe than if it is just warm and appears fine. The concern is the infection, not the fever itself.

Understand That Fever is a Normal Immune Response. In most cases, fever is not a cause for concern. It indicates that the body is fighting an infection or undergoing healing. However, in some instances, fever can signal a bacterial infection. If your dog exhibits any unusual symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately.

• When the body is infected with gram-negative bacteria, toxins released from the bacterial cell walls act as signals to the brain, triggering a fever. Severe infections can lead to high fever, which may harm organs like the testes and brain, potentially causing seizures, coma, or even infertility. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent complications.

Call a Veterinarian. When in doubt, consult a veterinarian for professional advice. Besides seeking treatment for unusual symptoms, monitor your dog's temperature if the fever persists for more than 24 hours. A vet may prescribe fever-reducing medication to quickly lower your dog's temperature.

Consider Related Illnesses. If the fever is accompanied by other conditions, often more serious, you may notice additional symptoms. These could indicate respiratory infections or gastrointestinal issues. Watch for the following:

• Respiratory infections may cause coughing, sneezing, and nasal or eye discharge, affecting your dog's behavior and sleep.
• Gastrointestinal issues may lead to loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Monitor your dog's bathroom habits for signs of diarrhea or blood in urine.
• If you notice anything unusual related to these conditions, contact a vet immediately; fever is just one of many symptoms that need attention.