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As dog parents, it’s very common to apply what works for humans but not necessarily for dogs. For example you might notice that your dog’s head is hot. Is this something to worry about? Should you be bringing your dog to the vet right now? Let’s slow down and look at some of the common reasons why your dog’s head is warm and see what you should do.
Digital Ear | Digital Rectal | Mercury Rectal |
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What is the Normal Temperature Range for a Dog?
The first thing you should understand is that your dog likely feels a bit warm all the time. One reason for this is your dog has fur, which means that you’re not getting an accurate temperature when touching his or her head.
The other reason for this is that a dog’s normal temperature range is different from a human’s. A human should be around 97 to 99 degrees. Dogs though have a temperature range of 100 degrees to 102.5 degrees.
So it only makes sense that your dog feels warmer because they really have a warmer temperature than you. At the same time though, you’re probably used to feeling your dog at a certain temperature and you might be noticing that they feel a little warmer than you’re used to.
You should also be aware that dogs are often warmer after some playtime. If their temperature stays above 102.7 degrees, then it might be a good idea to contact your vet and schedule an appointment.
How to Check a Dog’s Temperature
If your dog’s head is hot, then the first thing you should do is check its temperature. While regular human thermometers might work, it’s much better to have a dog thermometer. They work much better with their biology, and they will help you get the right temperature.
If your dog’s head is warm, then you can use either a digital thermometer or mercury dog thermometer. The different thermometers are: digital ear thermometer, digital rectal thermometer, and mercury rectal thermometer.
Digital Ear Thermometer for Dogs
Dog digital ear thermometers are the easiest to use and also the most comfortable. This goes both for your pup and you. Just place the thermometer in the dog’s ear canal, and wait a few seconds. Keep your dog still as you don’t want to accidentally hurt their ear canal. Be sure to read the instructions beforehand as well just to make sure that you’re safe and that you get an accurate reading.
Keep in mind that while this tends to be accurate, a dog’s ear might change temperature due to weather or other factors. You might want to get two or so readings to ensure that it’s accurate.
Digital Rectal Thermometer for Dogs
Rectal thermometers aren’t that comfortable for humans, and unfortunately they aren’t that comfortable for dogs either. Their big advantage though is that they’re very accurate. That’s because you’re taking your dog’s internal temperature, which changes much less than the temperature from their ears.
When using a dog digital rectal thermometer, it’s important to keep them as comfortable as possible. Do not scold or make negative comments. Praise them and keep a treat or toys nearby so that they are distracted and happy. It’s also best when the space is calm and there’s no one around to make them fidget.
Many people also find that just a little bit of peanut butter on a lick matt can make this much easier.
How to Use a Digital Rectal Thermometer for Dogs
Lubricate the thermometer tip with vegetable oil, petroleum jelly, or any other safe lubricant. This makes it less uncomfortable for your dog. Make sure you follow all the instructions as well.
Lift your dog’s tail gently and insert the metal tip about one inch into their rectum. At this point you can lower the dog’s tail. You might need another person if your dog tends to fidget, but it’s best to have someone that they trust. Wait until the thermometer beeps and then gently remove it.
Digital Ear | Digital Rectal | Mercury Rectal |
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Mercury Rectal Thermometer for Dogs
A dog mercury rectal thermometer is very similar to its digital counterpart. It’s usually recommended to use the digital ones because they tend to be safer and take less time to get an accurate reading.
The only difference between this and a digital one is that you must wait until the mercury stops moving.
Taking a Dog’s Temperature Without a Thermometer
It’s best in hindsight to have a dog thermometer, but you may not have one or even have a human thermometer on hand. How do you know if your dog has a fever? As we said before, dogs have fur and this will make them feel warmer than they really are. That means that it’s best to feel places where they have little or no fur.
This could be areas such as the paws, ears, armpits, nose, and any other similar areas. If your dog is warmer than usual, then this could mean that they have a fever. Look at their gums as well and see if they look brighter or dryer. Another sign of infection could be green or yellow colored discharge from their nose. This may not mean that they have a fever, but they are sick to some extent.
If you think your dog has a fever and you don’t have a thermometer for dogs on hand, then it might be best to contact your vet and schedule an appointment. Much like with humans, a high fever can become dangerous.
10 reasons Why Your Dog’s Head Feels Hot
We’re going to go over 10 reasons why your dog’s head feels warm so that you know what the common culprits are. Let’s take a look at all these areas to know just how much you should worry about them.
1. Dog Fever
Can dogs get a fever? A dog with fever symptoms is very similar to a human with fever symptoms. Just like with us, this is most commonly due to inflammation or infections. It can also be due to toxins or bad food that they’ve ingested. Infections can include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and other infections caused by viruses or bacteria. It might also be due to a general illness, infected wounds, bites, and more.
Dog Dry Nose and Fever
One warning sign of a fever could be a dry nose, but that doesn’t necessarily mean this is indicative of a fever. A healthy dog can have a dry nose while a sick dog can have a wet one. A common example is that when your dog is sleeping, they typically won’t lick their nose. It means it might feel warm and dry after it wakes up.
Dog Fever Symptoms
Some symptoms you should look out for if you believe your dog has a fever include:
- Low appetite
- Shivering
- Lethargy
- Vomiting or diarrhea due to infection
- Excessive panting
Dog Fever Reducer
Should you give medicine to your dog if their head feels hot? While some people try human medications such as ibuprofen oh, these can actually be very toxic for pets. Only get medication that your vet has prescribed, or after you’ve cleared another medication with them.
When Should You Bring Your Dog to the Vet?
If you do not have a thermometer, then we suggest calling your vet and seeing if they suggest making an appointment. If you do have a thermometer and the dog’s temperature is 103° or over, then contact your vet immediately. If you’re getting a reading of 105 degrees or higher, then this is an emergency and you should go to the local emergency vet.
2. Dog Cooling Off
Believe it or not, your dog’s head might be hot because they’re actually regulating their temperature and trying to cool down. Dogs cool down differently than humans and this can be done by transferring warm blood to their head. If this is the case, then they should only feel warm temporarily.
You might be wondering why their head feels warm because of this. The ears and nose lose heat faster than the head, so their head is going to be warm for a bit longer before they completely cool off.
3. Warm Rooms or Locations
Just like with humans, being in direct sunlight or a warm location will temporarily make you feel warmer than you really are. This will be especially true if your dog was napping in direct sunlight.
Make sure your dog has a cooler space that they can nap or lounge in if needed. They’ll often move of their own accord if they need to cool down.
Best Temperature for Dog Sleeping and Napping
In general, most dogs prefer room temperature of about 69 degrees to 72 degrees. Those with thicker coats will likely want cooler rooms, while those with thin coats might prefer warmer.
Digital Ear | Digital Rectal | Mercury Rectal |
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4. Dog Stress
You might believe that there’s no reason for your pet pal to feel stress, but there’s actually a lot of reasons why dogs can get stressed out. Usually these situations pass pretty quickly, but they can still lead to your dog having a higher temperature. The most common things to stress the dogs out are:
- Fireworks
- Thunderstorms
- Changes in home or environment
- Meeting new animals like other dogs or cats
- Seeing unexpected animals like groundhogs and squirrels
- Being attacked by other animals or fellow dogs
5. Side Effects from Canine Vaccinations
Much like with people, it’s fairly common for dogs to have side effects from vaccines. You’ll probably notice that your pet pal is feeling a little warmer right after getting their shot.
The good news is that this often lasts 24 to 48 hours. If the temperature seems extreme or if it feels like something else is off, then consider contacting your vet. If the temperature lasts longer than 48 hours, then you’ll also want to contact your vet.
6. Medication Side Effects
There are times when your vet will prescribe medications for your dog. Much like the people, this can be for many things such as pain relief, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, anti seizure medication, and much more.
Be sure to ask your vet about any potential side effects before giving these medications. A fever or increased temperature might be a common side effect of medication.
7. Red Flags for Other Illnesses
Thankfully this reason isn’t that common, but it’s still something that you should be aware of. If your dog’s head is hot, then this might mean that there is an underlying illness. This can include kidney problems, leukemia, and more.
Not only is this rare, but you’ll often be able to tell because a fever is rarely the only symptom. There’s usually a cluster of symptoms that they’ll be experiencing at the same time. Try getting a professional opinion to see if there is an underlying cause for the fever.
Try not to jump to conclusions. It’s easy to worry about your furry friend, but you don’t want to do too much.
8. Canine Fever and Seizure Disorders
If your pet has a seizure disorder, then you might notice that your dog’s head is hot shortly after the seizure is finished. Some of these reasons have been explained above, but there could also be a complication as well.
Similar to cooling down or having a stress response, this might be an after effect of your pet trying to calm down. It could also be a complication from the seizure. If your dog’s head remains hot for an extended amount of time, then this might mean that the dog experienced head trauma. Getting a vet’s opinion would be your safest bet now.
9. Tooth Infection or Abscess
We’ve mentioned bacterial and viral infections earlier, but some people may not realize that a tooth infection can also lead to a fever in their dogs. you often notice as well that one or more teeth look discolored, or that your dog’s breath is consistently awful.
Even if you’ve been keeping up with your dog’s dental routine, you might want to schedule an appointment just to have your teeth looked at.
10. Toxic Human Foods
There are many foods that are perfectly fine for humans to ingest, but that are poisonous to dogs. This can include chocolate, Xylitol, grapes, and more. Just like with toxic plants, this can lead to a variety of symptoms such as a fever.
If you think your dog ate something that it shouldn’t, then try calling your local poison control number to see if you should be worried.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons why your dog’s head is hot, and not all of them are that concerning. Sometimes your pet was just sleeping in direct sunlight or they’re trying to cool off. Other times though they might be suffering from an infection or have ingested a toxic substance. If you feel that there is cause for concern, then we suggest calling your local poison control number or your vet to get a professional opinion.
It’s also a good idea to have a dog thermometer on hand just in case your dog feels warmer. This can tell you if they’re truly experiencing a fever or not.