Step-by-Step Guide: How to Measure Your Dog's Temperatu

Understanding Normal Body Temperature

Before you embark on the task of taking a dog's temperature, it's crucial to be aware of the normal range for a canine's body heat.

Canines typically have a normal body temperature that ranges from 37.5 to 38.5 degrees Celsius. Puppies often have higher temperatures, usually around 38 degrees, and dogs in an excited state may also exhibit slightly elevated temperatures.

Female dogs may see their temperatures drop to around 36 degrees Celsius as they approach labor, and many veterinary hospitals use this temperature as a significant factor in deciding whether a cesarean section is necessary.

What Kind of Thermometer Should You Use for Your Dog?

Mercury Thermometer: The most accurate and highly recommended option. The rectum is the most precise location for measuring a dog's temperature, and the mercury thermometer is more accurate than newer digital alternatives.

Some dogs may feel violated by the sudden rectal insertion and may twist, even attack. If your dog is large, highly energetic, or restless, or if you're single and might struggle to control your dog, it's strongly advised to have an assistant when using a mercury thermometer. A muzzle can be used if necessary to prevent accidental harm to the person handling the dog.

Digital Thermometer: While digital thermometers are still recommended for rectal use for accuracy, they can also be used under the armpit or in the ear canal, though the readings are less accurate than rectal measurements.

Infrared Thermometer: Yes, the same type you might have seen during the recent pandemic.

Unfortunately, there isn't a genuinely dogspecific infrared thermometer yet. These thermometers require the use of the dog's ear canal to obtain temperature data, which involves the infrared light reflecting off the eardrum and onto the thermometer to calculate the temperature. However, the complexity of a dog's ear canal makes it difficult for infrared light to reach the eardrum, resulting in less accurate readings.

So, how do you elegantly perform a rectal temperature check on your furry friend?

Once again, if you cannot control your dog on your own, make sure to have someone assist you. By the way, even though mercury thermometers are soon to be discontinued, it's still not advisable to use a digital thermometer alone; get help if possible to avoid struggling alone.

Let's get to the nittygritty. First, prepare some Vaseline or, in a pinch, a small amount of cooking oil. Yes, the kind you use for cooking.

After disinfecting the thermometer, apply a generous amount of Vaseline to the tip and about 5 cm of the thermometer's surface. Take the thermometer in one hand and your dog's tail in the other. If your dog doesn't have a tail, use the extra hand to comfort and support it, gently placing it under the chest or abdomen to prevent it from becoming anxious and sitting or moving around.

Generally, inserting the thermometer about 3 to 4 cm into the rectum is sufficient. Keep in mind that this is not a onesizefitsall rule; smaller dogs may require less, while larger dogs should not have the thermometer inserted more than 5 cm.

After 2 minutes, remove the thermometer to confirm the temperature.

Some may ask, "Why do I need someone to help if I can just make my dog lie down and be still?"

There are good reasons for needing two people. The most important is to prevent the thermometer from being damaged by the dog's movements. Another crucial reason is that a dog's rectum is most straight when the dog is standing, reducing the risk of injury to the rectal walls if the thermometer is inserted incorrectly.