Dog Owner's Manual › Chapter 8: Dog Health Care › Measuring Your Dog's Core Temperature ›

Measuring Your Dog's Core Temperature

Use only a digital thermometer. Be aware that ear thermometers are incompatible with the structure of the canine ear canal.

  1. Have an assistant hold the head and front of the dog.
  2. Lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly or some other commercial lubricant.
  3. Lift the tail and insert the thermometer into the rectum about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Hold it in place until the thermometer beeps.

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Chapter 8: Dog Health Care

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What is the normal temperature range? Need to edit this entry.

barked by Aggie Poupon Harry Winton on Apr 25, 2008 AT 5:45 am PDT
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The normal ear or rectal temperature range of dogs, cats (and virtually all companion animals with fur) is between 100.0 and 103.0 F. The normal average temperature is 101.5 F. Please note the statement above about ear thermometers is correct for human ear thermometers, but incorrect for ear thermometers specifically designed for animals. Our company, Advanced Monitors Corporation, makes a one-second ear thermometer for animals that has been clinically proven accurate. The website is www.pet-temp.com.

barked by Rick Ferlito on Jun 2, 2008 AT 10:45 am PDT
3 people found this comment helpful.
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Actually, the normal temperature for dogs is 99.5 to 102.5. A temperature of 103.0 for a dog would be considered a fever.

barked by M J on Oct 6, 2008 AT 10:39 am PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Dog Owner's Manual is a basic guide to dog care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides dog owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!