Like humans, dogs can get a fever when they have a disease or struggle with inflammation or an infection. Your dog could also have a fever of unknown origin, but just because you don’t know the cause doesn’t mean it’s any less alarming.
Dogs who have a fever often lack energy and appetite. They can be coughing, shivering and vomiting, or even have diarrhea or blood in their stool, meaning it’s not too difficult to notice something is wrong.
However, it’s best to consult vet urgent care. Leave the responsibility of taking your dog’s temperature to the professionals. It has to be done with an ear or rectal thermometer made for dogs, and it’s an invasive procedure.
However, touching your dog’s nose can give you a good idea of whether or not he has a fever. If his nose is cold and wet, everything is fine. If it’s hot and dry, something is wrong.
It’s time to learn what to do if your dog has a fever.
1. Cool down your dog
If your dog’s nose is hot and dry, you can try to cool down your dog, which might bring his fever down. To do this, get a cloth with lukewarm water and gently wipe your dog’s ears and paws.
You can also wipe his chest and abdomen with a wet cloth, which will be easier if your dog has short hair.
This might help bring down your dog’s body temperature, and it could be enough to make him feel better.
2. Give your dog a lukewarm bath
When your dog has a fever, you could give him a bath to help bring his temperature down. Be sure your water is not cold, but it could be just a bit colder than lukewarm.
Place your dog in your bathtub or a large plastic tub, and use a cloth or a sponge to apply water to his chest, abdomen, ears and paws.
When you get your dog out of the tub, towel dries him so he doesn’t stay wet. You don’t want him to feel cold, shiver, or get worse.
Instead of using a towel to dry him, you could use a hair dryer. Be sure to put it on the lower setting and not shoot air in your dog’s face.
3. Give your dog plenty of water to drink
Keep the water bowl of your dog filled with fresh water, and encourage him to drink often during the day. If your dog doesn’t drink enough water while he has a fever, he could become dehydrated, which could be dangerous for his health.
Convincing him to drink water could be difficult if he has gotten lethargic and lost his appetite. You could get him to drink water from your cupped hands or get him a dog water fountain.
Adding some bone broth could make his water bowl seem more appealing if this doesn’t work.
4. Don’t give him medication made for humans
We have been discussing what to do if your dog has a fever. Now, let’s mention one thing you should not do.
Don’t give your dog medication made for humans unless your veterinarian tells you it’s safe. Pills such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are toxic to dogs and could worsen things for your furry friend.
You should also avoid giving him natural remedies that are made for humans. Remember that what is good for you is not necessarily good for your dog.
5. Bring your dog to the vet as soon as possible
When you notice your dog has a fever, it’s a good idea to take him to the vet as soon as possible, especially if he refuses to eat or drink. The veterinarian will be able to take your dog’s temperature and examine him to determine the cause of his fever.
They will then recommend a treatment for your dog and perhaps prescribe oral medication to help him feel better. And if you anticipate that giving this medication to your dog will be a struggle, you can ask for suggestions that will help you make sure your dog will ingest the pills he needs to take.
If necessary, the vet might decide to keep your dog for a moment so they can run tests and figure out the best way to bring his fever down.
Then, when you bring your dog back home, you can keep taking good care of him and allowing him to rest until he returns to his normal behaviour.
