Normal Animal Body Temperatures: What's Healthy?

Understanding the Normal Body Temperature Range of Healthy Animals

Dogs typically have a normal body temperature ranging from 37.5℃ to 39℃.

Cats usually maintain a body temperature between 38.5℃ and 39.5℃.

Rabbits also fall within the same temperature range as cats, with readings from 38.5℃ to 39.5℃.

Chickens have a higher normal body temperature, typically ranging from 40℃ to 42℃.

Pigs, on the other hand, have a normal body temperature that spans from 38℃ to 39.5℃.

These values represent rectal temperatures, and there can be slight variations depending on the breed and size of the animal. To illustrate the importance of temperature in dogs, let's delve into how their physiological state changes with different temperatures.

Dog temperatures are not static; they fluctuate with the seasons and the time of day. As long as your dog is eating, drinking, and eliminating normally, a slightly higher or lower temperature can be considered within the realm of normal. Generally, dogs have lower temperatures in the morning, peaking around noon to evening, with a difference of about 0.5℃. Additionally, after exercise or during periods of stress, temperatures may vary slightly, but as long as these changes are within a certain range, they are typically not a cause for concern. A 1℃ difference between day and night temperatures is considered a normal variation.

Fever is a common pathological sign, and different temperatures can indicate various states of illness within the body. Generally:

An increase of 1.0℃ indicates a slight fever, often associated with localized inflammation or a mild course of illness.

A rise of 12.0°C is considered a moderate fever, which may be indicative of general inflammation in the digestive or respiratory systems.

A temperature increase of 23℃ is classified as a high fever, often pointing to acute infections or widespread inflammation, such as canine distemper, parvovirus, or pyometra.

A temperature increase of ≥3.0℃ is considered a very high fever, which may signal severe acute infectious diseases.

Lower temperatures are generally seen in cases of severe anemia, malnutrition, shock, massive bleeding, or poisoning.

While temperatures within the normal range are ideal, a slightly higher temperature can be beneficial. A slightly elevated temperature can signify a more vigorous metabolism, stronger detoxification abilities, and better resistance. To maintain health, it's important to encourage regular exercise, aiming for at least an hour a day. Exercise generates heat, raises body temperature, boosts metabolism, and strengthens resistance. Moreover, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can promote frequent urination, aiding in detoxification and reducing the likelihood of contracting infectious diseases.