How to Take a Dog's Temperature at Home (Safely)
Updated July 2026
To take a dog's temperature at home, use a digital rectal thermometer: coat the tip with petroleum jelly, have a helper hold your dog steady, gently insert it about an inch, and hold for 10–15 seconds until it beeps. A normal dog temperature is about 101–102.5 °F (38.3–39.2 °C). A reading of 104 °F or higher, or 99 °F or lower, is an emergency — call your vet right away.
What is a normal temperature for a dog?
Dogs run warmer than people. A healthy dog's normal body temperature is roughly 101 to 102.5 °F (38.3 to 39.2 °C), compared with about 98.6 °F in humans — so a dog who feels "warm" to you is usually just normal. Cats sit in a very similar range, so the same targets apply if you are checking a cat instead. Because the healthy range is fairly narrow, a thermometer reading tells you far more than touch ever can, and knowing your pet's usual baseline makes an unusual number easy to spot.
How to take your dog's temperature, step by step
A rectal reading with a digital thermometer is the most accurate method you can do at home. It sounds daunting, but with a calm approach and a helper it takes under a minute.
- Get your kit ready. Use a digital thermometer — ideally one kept just for your pet — plus petroleum jelly or a water-based lubricant, and a towel to wipe up afterward.
- Lubricate the tip. Coat the end of the thermometer generously so it slides in comfortably.
- Have a helper steady your dog. One person gently holds the dog's head and body, ideally standing or lying on their side, and offers calm reassurance.
- Insert gently. Lift the tail and slide the thermometer about one inch (a little less for small dogs) into the rectum, angled slightly toward the wall rather than straight in.
- Wait for the beep. Hold it in place for about 10–15 seconds until a digital thermometer signals it is done, then remove and read.
- Clean up and reward. Wipe and disinfect the thermometer, then praise your dog warmly and offer a treat so the experience ends on a positive note.
Ear (tympanic) thermometers made for pets are less invasive but generally less accurate and need correct positioning, so treat an ear reading as a rough guide rather than the final word.
Never do this: Do not take a dog's temperature by mouth the way you would for a person, and never use an old mercury thermometer — it can break and is dangerous. A digital rectal (or dedicated pet ear) thermometer is the only safe option at home.
Signs your dog may have a fever
You cannot reliably judge a fever by feeling your dog's nose — the "warm, dry nose" myth is just that. Instead, watch for the whole picture of how your dog is behaving. Common signs of a fever include:
- Lethargy or unusual sleepiness
- Warm ears and a warm, dry nose
- Shivering or trembling
- Loss of appetite
- Red or glassy-looking eyes
- Reduced interest in play or walks
If you notice several of these together, that is your cue to reach for the thermometer and get an actual number rather than guessing.
When a temperature is an emergency
Some readings mean you should not wait. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately if your dog's temperature is:
- 104 °F (40 °C) or higher — a high fever, or possible heatstroke if your dog has been hot or over-exercised. A temperature of 106 °F or above is a life-threatening emergency.
- 99 °F (37.2 °C) or lower — an abnormally low temperature can be just as serious as a high one and needs prompt attention.
Between those extremes, a mildly raised temperature paired with other symptoms still warrants a call to your vet for advice. When in doubt, a phone call is always the safe move — and having the actual numbers ready helps your vet decide how urgently your dog needs to be seen.
The easy way: track your dog's temperature with PetnotePlus
A single reading is useful, but a series of readings tells the real story — especially when you are monitoring a recovering pet or a fever that comes and goes. Here is how to keep track in the free PetnotePlus app:
- Log the reading in Today's Entries. Record each temperature in seconds, with the date and time captured automatically.
- Watch the trend on a chart. Open the temperature chart to see whether a fever is climbing, holding steady or coming down over hours and days.
- Compare it with other signs. Put temperature and weight (or condition notes) on one chart to see how they move together while your pet recovers.
- Set a reminder to re-check. Turn on a routine so you remember to take the next reading when your vet asks you to monitor at set intervals.
- Share readings with family and your vet. Share the pet with up to 15 family members so everyone sees the latest numbers, and show the history at your appointment (or hand over a CSV export with Premium).
Keep an eye on your pet's temperature
Log readings, chart the trend, and share with family — free on the App Store.
This guide is for general information only — always consult your veterinarian about your pet's health.