Knowing how to take your dog's temperature at home is one of the most useful skills an owner can have. It gives your vet real information rather than "he seems a bit off", and it can tell you quickly whether something needs urgent attention. First, the number that matters. A dog's normal temperature is higher than ours, around 38.3 to 39.2°C (101 to 102.5°F). Anything above 39.4°C is a fever, and above 40.5°C is an emergency. Below 37.8°C is also a red flag and needs a vet. Forget the myths first. A wet, cold nose tells you nothing about whether a dog has a fever, and neither do warm ears. The only reliable reading is a proper thermometer. How to do it: - Use a digital thermometer, ideally one kept just for the dog, and lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly or a water-based lubricant. - Have someone gently hold and steady your dog, and talk to them calmly throughout. - Lift the tail and insert the tip about 2.5cm (1 inch) into the rectum, angled slightly, never forced. - Hold it there until it beeps, then withdraw, read, and clean it thoroughly. - Reward them afterwards. Making it a non-event pays off next time. A word on ear thermometers: they're better tolerated, but you need one designed for dogs and correct positioning, and they're less reliable than rectal. If you get an odd reading, confirm it properly. Never use a glass mercury thermometer, and don't attempt this if your dog is distressed, aggressive or in pain around the back end. It isn't worth a bite or making a frightened dog worse. Ring your vet instead. Take a reading now, while your dog is well, so you know their normal. Then if they're ever unwell, you'll have a number worth reporting rather than a guess. #doghealth #dogfirstaid #petcare #dogwellbeing #veterinary
@alex_thevet
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