Dogs' normal temperature is different from that of humans. Dogs are generally "hotter" than humans. It's important for pet owners to understand this, as temperature is one of the indicators of their pet's health.
Temperature standards
A normal body temperature for dogs is considered to be between 37.5 and 39 °C. These are general figures, as the indicator depends on such parameters as:
- age and breed;
- state of the body.
For example, the normal temperature for small-breed dogs is 38.5–39.2°C, which is slightly higher than for large-breed dogs. This is due to their metabolic characteristics.
In addition, the temperature indicator can increase by 0.1–0.3 °C during stress, in the summer, when traveling in a hot and stuffy car, and in bitches also during estrus.
It is noteworthy that during the period of pregnancy (pregnancy in dogs), the expectant mother becomes 0.5–1 °C cooler.
This means that to determine whether your pet's body temperature is within the correct range or not, a number of factors must be taken into account.
How to measure
It is important to keep the dog's discomfort to a minimum so that it behaves calmly next time.
It is important to know that a dry dog's nose is not an indication of a fever. It must be measured by inserting a thermometer (preferably an electronic one) into the animal’s anus for 20–30 seconds.This procedure is challenging for the owner and unpleasant for the pet, so it requires preparation and strict adherence to the following procedure:
- You should prepare a thermometer and cream (you can use “Children’s”) in advance, which will make its insertion easier.
- Calm the dog, lay it on its side and move its tail.
- Insert the thermometer to a depth of 2 cm and hold it against the rectal wall. Monitor your pet's position.
- After the allotted time, remove the thermometer and record the readings.
What to do if you have high or low blood pressure
The best thing a caring owner can do is wrap a sick pet in a soft blanket and immediately take it to the vet.
Any deviation in the indicators should be a cause for concern.
High readings may indicate an inflammatory process. It's important to understand that a hot body temperature is only a symptom of the disease, so there's no need to treat the fever until a diagnosis is made.
The reason for a dog's abnormally cool body may be:
- hypothermia;
- general decrease in tone;
- intoxication;
- significant blood loss;
- dehydration.
If your pet's body temperature is abnormal, don't wait for it to resolve on its own. Sometimes, the price of a dog's life is the human's long deliberation.
