Treating a Dog’s Fever at Home: The Best Remedies

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Dog fever symptoms, causes, and treatments

Co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: July 17, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Reduce a Dog’s Fever

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What to Give a Dog for Fever

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Fever Symptoms

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Causes

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Normal Temperature

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How to Check Temperature

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Dogs normally have a temperature between 99.5 °F (37.5 °C) and 102.5 °F (39.2 °C), but they can develop a fever due to an injury, infection, poisonous substance, or as a reaction to a vaccine. A fever could make your dog excessively pant, hot to the touch, or lethargic. Thankfully, there are ways you can help treat a fever at home. We’ve explained everything you need to know about dog fevers and how to treat them in this article, so keep reading to learn how you can help your furry friend recover quickly and safely.

The Best Way to Treat Fever in Dogs

If your dog has a fever of 104 °F (40 °C) or higher, immediately take them to the vet. If you can't get medical care right away, wet a cloth with tepid water and wipe down their ears, paws, and chest. Encourage your dog to drink water often so they don't get dehydrated.

Section 1 of 6:

How to Reduce a Dog’s Fever

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1
Wet a cloth with water, and wipe your dog’s ears and paws. This is one of the easiest and safest ways to gradually help bring your dog’s temperature down. Make sure the cloth isn’t too cold, wring out the excess water, and then wipe the ears and paws gently several times until their temperature is below 103 °F (39 °C).^{[1]
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- Try to also rub your dog’s chest with the cool cloth.
- Similarly, you can also place a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth on your dog or put them in a dog cooling vest.^{[2]
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  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  
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Give your dog a lukewarm bath. Check that the bath water is not ice cold but a bit colder than lukewarm. This creates a welcoming environment for your feverish dog, which won’t make them too warm or cold. Place them in the bath and dab water on them with a cloth or sponge.^{[3]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- Dry your dog well so they don’t catch a chill right out of the bath.
- Remove your dog from the bath when their temperature is below 103 °F (39 °C).
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Place a fan near your dog. If your dog is panting excessively or is hot to the touch, set up a fan near them to help them cool down. This is an easy and inexpensive way to see if your dog’s fever will fade on its own.^{[4]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- Similarly, move your dog to a cooler area or room to help reduce their temperature naturally.
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Offer your dog small drinks of water. Make sure your dog has fresh water at their disposal when they’re feverish. Keep their water bowl filled with clean water and bring it closer to them if needed. Ensuring your dog drinks water can help them stay hydrated and cool.^{[5]
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- While coaxing your dog to drink is okay, avoid forcing them to. If they don’t drink on their own, bring them to the vet, as dehydration could be a sign of a more serious health condition.
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Seek veterinarian care if your dog’s fever is over 104 °F (40 °C). Bring your dog to the vet if their fever goes above 104 °F (40 °C) or doesn’t lessen with time, as this could be a sign of a more serious medical condition or infection. The vet will be able to examine and perform tests on your dog to ensure they start feeling better soon.<refhttps://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-take-your-dog-s-temperature/</ref>
- It’s always best to bring your dog to the vet sooner rather than later, as a temperature of 106 °F (41 °C) could be fatal.^{[6]
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- Never give human medication to your dog without your vet’s permission, as they can be toxic to dogs and worsen a fever.

Section 2 of 6:

What can you give a dog for a fever?

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Only give your dog fever medication if your vet recommends it. As a general rule, never give your dog human medication without your vet’s permission.^{[7]
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Research source} Human medication can be toxic for dogs and may worsen their fever.^{[8]
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US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health

Go to source} If your dog is feverish, call or visit your vet. They can prescribe pet-friendly medication to help reduce your dog’s fever and aid in whatever’s causing an infection or inflammation.
- In some cases, a vet may give dogs Tylenol (acetaminophen); however, you should only give your dog Tylenol if specifically told to do so by your vet and in the amount they recommend.^{[9]
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Section 3 of 6:

Signs of Fever in Dogs

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A dog with a fever may have warm ears, a warm nose, and fatigue. There are many symptoms and signs of a fever that can show in your dog. Overall, your dog will act differently if they have a fever and may display one or more general signs of sickness, such as:^{[10]
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- Warm ears
- Warm, dry nose
- Skin feels hot to the touch^{[11]
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  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  
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- Excessive panting
- Shivering
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Red eyes
- Loss of appetite^{[12]
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- Coughing
- Vomiting

Section 4 of 6:

Causes of Fever in Dogs

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Infections and inflammation are the leading causes of fever in dogs. If your dog has a fever, it’s likely because their body is trying to fight off an infection and protect itself. Think of it like when you get a fever when you’re sick—your dog’s body is doing the same thing. The infection or inflammation can be internal or external, so it’s important to examine your dog’s body closely and bring them to the vet for further care. Here are some examples of what could lead to a fever:^{[13]
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- An infected wound, scratch, or cut
- Ear infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Infected or abscessed tooth
- Ongoing bacterial or viral disease
- Getting vaccinated
- Ingesting poisonous materials (toxic plants, human medications, etc.)

Section 5 of 6:

What is a dog’s normal temperature?

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A dog’s normal temperature is between 99.5 °F (37.5 °C) and 102.5 °F (39.2 °C). This is drastically different from a normal human temperature range, which is between 97.6 °F (36.4 °C) and 99.6 °F (37.6 °C). If your dog’s temperature goes above 102.5 °F (39.2 °C), they have a fever, and it’s important to bring them to the vet and take the necessary precautions to reduce the fever.^{[14]
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- A dog’s size can also affect a dog’s normal temperature. For instance, if you have a smaller dog, they may have an average temperature of 102 °F (39 °C) because they have a faster metabolism.^{[15]
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  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  
  Go to source}

Section 6 of 6:

How do you check a dog’s temperature?

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Use a pet thermometer to check your dog’s temperature. Place the thermometer in your dog’s rectal or ear cavity (this will depend on the type of thermometer you have, so read the instructions and packaging carefully). This is ideally a 2-person job, so ask a trusted loved one to help hold or calm your dog down while you take their temperature.^{[16]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- If you’re using a rectal thermometer, apply plenty of lubricating jelly to the thermometer before inserting it to ease your dog’s discomfort.
- Avoid putting a thermometer in your dog’s mouth, as this can put them at risk of injury and mercury poisoning.

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Warnings

In some cases, a dog’s fever can go away on its own; however, it’s best to take the necessary precautions and bring your dog to the vet right away. This can prevent lingering infections and help them feel better faster.

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