Spotting Fever in Your Puppy: A Complete Guide for Worried Pet Parents

Are you sitting there, staring at your little furball, wondering if something’s not quite right? Maybe your puppy seems a bit off, and you’re worried they might have a fever It’s a common concern for us pet parents, especially with new puppies I’ve been there too, frantically Googling “how can you tell if puppy has a fever” at 2 AM while my pup looked miserable.

Let’s cut through the confusion and get you some real answers about puppy fevers – what to look for, how to check, and when it’s time to call the vet.

What’s Actually “Normal” for a Puppy’s Temperature?

Before we panic about fevers, we need to know what’s normal. Here’s something many new dog owners don’t realize – dogs naturally run hotter than humans!

• Normal human temperature: 97.6°F – 99.6°F
• Normal dog temperature: 100°F – 102.5°F

So if your puppy feels warm to your touch, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re sick. Dogs are just naturally warmer creatures than we are!

A true fever in dogs is defined as a temperature above 102.5°F. Once it reaches 103°F or higher, veterinarians consider it an official fever that requires attention. And if it gets as high as 106°F? That’s an emergency situation that can potentially damage your puppy’s organs or even be fatal.

The Old “Nose Test” Myth: Does It Actually Work?

We’ve all heard the old saying – if your dog’s nose is cold and wet, they’re healthy, but if it’s hot and dry, they have a fever. Is there any truth to this?

While there’s nothing wrong with giving the nose a quick check, this method alone isn’t reliable for determining if your puppy has a fever. A dog’s nose can be warm and dry for many normal reasons:

• They just woke up from a nap
• The environment is dry
• They’ve been laying near a heater
• They’re dehydrated but otherwise fine

Similarly, a dog with a fever might still have a cool, wet nose. Don’t rely on this old-time method as your only fever detector!

Real Signs Your Puppy Might Have a Fever

Instead of just checking the nose look for these more reliable symptoms that could indicate your puppy has a fever

• Red or glassy-looking eyes – One of the most common fever signs
• Warm ears – The ears often feel notably warmer than usual
• Lethargy or lack of energy – Unusually quiet or inactive behavior
• Shivering – Even when it’s not cold
• Loss of appetite – Refusing favorite treats or meals
• Panting – Excessive panting when not hot or active
• Vomiting – May accompany fever in some cases
• Coughing – Could indicate respiratory infection
• Runny nose – Possible sign of infection
• Decreased energy – Less playful than usual

I remember when my puppy Max was sick – he wouldn’t touch his favorite chicken treats (which NEVER happens normally), and his little ears felt like warm toast. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.

The Only Accurate Way to Check: Taking Your Puppy’s Temperature

Let’s be honest – this part isn’t fun for anyone involved, but it’s the only way to know for sure if your puppy has a fever You’ll need a digital thermometer specifically designed for pets (don’t use a glass thermometer as it could break)

You have two main options:

Rectal Thermometer Method:

1. Lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly, baby oil, or water-soluble lubricant
2. Gently lift your puppy’s tail
3. Insert the thermometer about 1 inch into the rectum
4. Wait for the thermometer to beep (usually about 60 seconds)
5. Remove and check the reading

Ear Thermometer Method:

If available, ear thermometers designed for pets are less invasive and more comfortable for your puppy. They measure infrared heat waves from the area around the eardrum.

1. Place the thermometer deep into the horizontal ear canal
2. Wait for the reading
3. These are more expensive but much less stressful for your pup

Pro tip: Have a second person help by gently holding your puppy while you take their temperature. This makes it safer and less stressful for everyone!

What Causes Fevers in Puppies Anyway?

Puppies can develop fevers for several reasons:

Infections and Inflammation

• Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
• Ear infections (very common in floppy-eared breeds)
• Urinary tract infections
• Infected bite wounds, scratches or cuts
• Tooth infections or abscesses
• Infections in internal organs like kidneys or lungs

Toxic Ingestion

• Poisonous plants
• Human medications
• Toxic human foods (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, etc.)
• Chemicals like antifreeze

Post-Vaccination Response

Many puppies experience a mild, low-grade fever within 24-48 hours after receiving vaccinations. This is usually normal and resolves on its own as the immune system responds to the vaccine.

Other Causes

Sometimes, the cause of fever can’t be determined right away – vets even have an acronym for this: FUO (Fever of Unknown Origin). This could be related to immune system disorders or even certain cancers, though these are less common in puppies.

When to Call the Vet About Your Puppy’s Fever

Not every elevated temperature requires an immediate vet visit, but here are the situations when you should definitely seek professional help:

• Temperature of 103°F or higher
• Temperature of 106°F or higher (EMERGENCY – go immediately!)
• Fever accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy
• Fever that lasts more than 24 hours
• Fever that goes away but returns
• Recent trauma, injury, or exposure to toxins
• Puppy seems to be in pain

Remember, puppies can decline quickly when they’re sick, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution. I once waited an extra day to take my puppy in for what I thought was just a mild fever, and it turned out to be an abscess that needed immediate treatment. Trust your instincts!

First Aid for a Feverish Puppy (Before Seeing the Vet)

If your puppy has a mild fever (103°F-104°F) and you can’t get to a vet immediately, here are some things you can do to help make them more comfortable:

1. Cool down their paws and ears – Apply cool (not cold) water with a soaked towel to their paws and ears. These areas help regulate body temperature.

2. Use a fan – Place a fan near your puppy to help cool them through evaporation.

3. Encourage drinking – Try to get your puppy to drink small amounts of water, but don’t force them.

4. Monitor temperature – Continue checking their temperature. Once it drops below 103°F, stop the cooling measures.

5. Keep monitoring – Watch your puppy closely to ensure the fever doesn’t return.

IMPORTANT: What NOT to Do When Your Puppy Has a Fever

• NEVER give your puppy human medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin – These can be toxic to dogs and cause serious harm or death
• Don’t use ice baths or very cold water – This can cause shock
• Don’t force-feed your puppy if they’re refusing food
• Don’t wait too long to seek veterinary care if symptoms persist or worsen

What Will Happen at the Vet?

When you take your feverish puppy to the vet, here’s what you can expect:

1. Temperature check – They’ll confirm the fever
2. Physical examination – Looking for visible signs of infection or injury
3. Medical history questions – Recent activities, exposures, vaccinations, etc.
4. Diagnostic tests – May include:
   • Blood tests (complete blood count, biochemistry profile)
   • Urinalysis
   • X-rays if needed
   • Other specific tests based on symptoms

Treatment will depend on the cause but might include:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• IV fluids if dehydrated
• Other treatments specific to the diagnosis

My Own Experience with a Feverish Puppy

Last year my puppy Bella had her first fever, and I totally panicked. She was just 4 months old and suddenly became super lethargic. When I felt her ears, they were burning hot. I took her temperature (which she absolutely hated) and it was 103.8°F.

We rushed to the vet, and it turned out she had a urinary tract infection. After a course of antibiotics, she was back to her normal, playful self within days. The key was catching it early before it could spread to her kidneys.

Prevention: Keeping Fevers at Bay

While you can’t prevent every fever, you can reduce the risk:

• Stay current on vaccinations – Prevents many infectious diseases
• Regular vet check-ups – Catches issues before they become serious
• Proper hygiene – Clean wounds properly, bathe regularly
• Watch what they eat – Keep toxic substances out of reach
• Clean water – Always provide fresh, clean water
• Dental care – Brush teeth regularly to prevent dental infections

Final Thoughts

Figuring out if your puppy has a fever isn’t always straightforward, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can make an informed decision about when to seek veterinary care. Remember that a digital thermometer is your most reliable tool, and watching for behavioral changes is just as important as checking for physical symptoms.

When in doubt, call your vet. Most veterinary offices are happy to give advice over the phone about whether your puppy needs to be seen immediately.

Has your puppy ever had a fever? What symptoms did you notice first? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!

No, you cannot accurately tell if a dog has a fever by just touching them, as their normal body temperature is higher than humans’. While you may notice their ears, paws, or body feel unusually warm, this is not a reliable diagnostic method.

To check for a fever in a dog without a thermometer, observe behavioral changes like lethargy and loss of appetite, and feel for warmth on their ears, nose, armpits, and groin area, which may indicate elevated body temperature.

If a puppy has a fever, the first step is to contact your veterinarian immediately, as fevers can indicate serious underlying conditions like infection or inflammation. Do not give human medication like aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, as these are toxic to dogs. While waiting for veterinary advice, you can offer your puppy water and a quiet place to rest, and apply a cool (not cold) towel to their abdomen or armpits, checking their temperature every 15 minutes.