You may have heard that you can tell whether your dog has a fever by feeling their nose -- cool and wet is good, hot and dry means fever -- but it’s not true. In fact, dog fever often goes unrecognized or undetected. One reason it can be difficult to detect fevers in dogs is that their normal body temperature is naturally higher than in humans.

What Is a Dog Fever? The normal body temperature for dogs is between 101 and 102.5 F, compared to 97.6 to 99.6 F for humans. This means your dog may feel feverish to you even when their temperature is completely normal. The word “fever” is typically used to describe elevated body temperature caused by infection or inflammation. A temperature of more than 103 F is considered a dog fever, although it can be 103 if a dog is very excited or stressed. When dogs have high temperatures that are the result of hot external temperatures or excessive exercise in humid conditions, the condition is referred to as hyperthermia or heat stroke. When temperatures reach 106 F, serious and fatal complications can occur.

Dog Fever Symptoms Although there are no definite signs, some symptoms that might indicate illness and fever in dogs include: Lethargy

Depressed mood

Shivering

Loss of appetite

Vomiting

Coughing

Nasal discharge The only accurate way to tell if your dog has an increased body temperature is to take their rectal temperature. Experts recommend using a digital thermometer specifically designed for rectal use in dogs. Most thermometers intended for use in human ears do not work well for this purpose. To take your dog’s temperature, first coat the thermometer with a lubricant such as petroleum gel or baby oil. Next, gently insert the thermometer about one inch into your dog’s anus and wait for results. Most thermometers sold for this purpose will take less than 60 seconds to register.