How to Take Your Puppy's Temperature Properly

In this guide

Knowing whether a puppy actually has a fever, rather than just seeming warm or lethargic, is one of the most useful pieces of information you can hand a vet over the phone. It is a slightly awkward task the first time, but a straightforward one to learn.

Why touching the nose or ears does not work

A common myth holds that a warm, dry nose means a dog is unwell, but nose temperature is influenced by far too many factors, room temperature, recent sleep, hydration, to be a reliable fever indicator. The only accurate way to check is a rectal temperature reading, and while it sounds unpleasant, most puppies tolerate it far better than owners expect.

What you need

• A digital thermometer, kept clearly separate from any human thermometer in the house
• A water based lubricant, such as petroleum jelly or a similar pet safe gel
• A second person to gently hold and reassure the puppy, if possible

Step by step

• Have your puppy lie down on its side or stand calmly, with someone holding the front of the body steady
• Lubricate the tip of the thermometer generously
• Lift the tail gently and insert the thermometer about one to two inches into the rectum with a slight twisting motion, adjusting for the puppy's size
• Hold it in place until the thermometer beeps, or for the manufacturer's recommended time
• Remove gently, note the reading, and reward your puppy generously for tolerating it

What counts as normal

A healthy dog's normal temperature runs higher than a human's, typically somewhere between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 37.8 to 39.2 degrees Celsius. Excitement, recent activity, or a stressful vet visit can nudge this slightly higher without indicating illness, which is why context matters alongside the number itself.

When a reading means it is time to call the vet

A temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, or 39.4 Celsius, alongside other signs of illness such as lethargy or loss of appetite, warrants a vet call, and anything above 106 Fahrenheit, or 41 Celsius, is an emergency requiring immediate care. On the low end, a temperature below 99 Fahrenheit, or 37.2 Celsius, particularly in a puppy that seems weak or unresponsive, is equally urgent, since a very low temperature can signal a serious underlying problem rather than simply being cold.

What to do while heading to the vet

For a high temperature, applying cool, damp cloths to the paws and ears and offering small sips of water can help while arranging transport, but avoid ice baths or aggressive cooling, which can cause temperature to drop too fast. For a low temperature, wrap the puppy in a warm towel or blanket, never a heating pad directly against the skin, which risks burns, and get to the vet promptly.

If your puppy will not tolerate a rectal reading

Some puppies, particularly nervous or squirmy ones, make a rectal reading genuinely difficult to get safely. A digital ear thermometer designed for pets is a reasonable second choice in this situation, inserted gently into the horizontal ear canal, though readings tend to be slightly less precise than a rectal one. If neither method is possible without real struggle or risk of injury to you or the puppy, skip the attempt and describe the puppy's symptoms to your vet instead, they can guide next steps without an exact number.

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