Having a dog thermometer in your home could one day save your dog’s life, and for such a minimal investment, isn’t it worth it?
When looking at any kind of medical equipment, it can get confusing – so we’re here to take away the jargon, and run through the facts. Read on to find out about the four best dog thermometers on the market.
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Best Dog Thermometer
| iCare-Pet Clinic Thermometer
| |
Best Compact
| iProven Digital Medical Pet Thermometer
| |
Best Ear
| iProven Ear Thermometer
| |
Best Rectal
| Hurinan Animal Electronic Pet Thermometer
|
Product Reviews
WHAT IS A DOG THERMOMETER?
A dog thermometer is a device used to measure your dog’s temperature. It comes in handy more often than you’d think!
Want to check whether your dog is feeling under the weather? Whip out the thermometer! Want to know whether he gets too cold on the porch at night? Nip out there and give him a quick temperature check!
And hey, some nifty thermometers even measure surface temperature and liquid temperature. Handy for checking whether your clipper blades are running too hot as you’re clipping, or to check that your pup’s homemade dog food isn’t too hot to serve.
TOP TIP – Make sure to use separate thermometers for food, unless you’re using a non-contact thermometer, because, you know… bacteria.
In the summer, it’s a good idea to periodically check on your poochies temperature — especially if you spot him panting heavily. Many owners are unaware of the life-threatening issues that can occur if their dog’s temperature exceeds 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
At this temperature, your dog’s organs can start to go into failure, but if you catch your dog getting too hot before it can get to this stage – everything will be A-OK, so please be a responsible dog owner and keep an eye on your hot-diggity-dog in the warmer months.
What Are The Different Types Of Dog Thermometers
Ear: The second most common type of temperature measurement for us humans (after oral measurement), and this can make it incredibly easy to measure your dog’s temperature at home.
Rectal: This is the most effective form of temperature measurement but does require a bit of prep, and a helper to calm your dog – especially if your dog has never had their temperature measured before. And remember – keeping everything sterile while measuring the temperature rectally is vital.
Non-contact: A popular choice with new owners of rescue dogs, or for dogs that hate having their temperature measured in the traditional way. This works by aiming an infrared thermometer into the ear canal, essentially as you would with the regular ear thermometer, except for the fact that this doesn’t require anything to be inserted into the ear.
What To Look For In A Good Dog Thermometer
Suitable for Multiple Pets: A thermometer, in theory, would work for any animal – but it’s all about whether the design will fit your other pets. A non-contact thermometer is a good choice if you’re hoping to use it for multiple animals.
Measures in Celsius or Fahrenheit: Depending on where in the world you’re located – you might prefer to have your temperature reading in Celsius. Most thermometers do come with both options; you just need to toggle the settings.
Speed of Measurement: If your dog isn’t the biggest fan of standing still – it’s best to go for a thermometer that measures their temperature as quickly as possible. As otherwise, if they begin to move, this can make the reading less accurate.
Accuracy: The most accurate thermometers tend to be those designed for rectal use; however – not every thermometer is accurate. When looking to buy any type of thermometer, it’s important to read the fine print, and see just how accurate it is!
Easy to Read Display: There’s nothing worse than finally convincing your rambunctious pup to sit still while you take their temperature, only for you to have to do it over, because you couldn’t read the results on the dimly lit display.
Digital displays tend to be the easiest to read, but if you’re planning on doing this in a poorly lit area, like your porch – you should probably make sure that it has a light-up feature.
Guarantee: As with any electrical item, it’s worth buying one that comes with a warranty, or guarantee. Often a manufacturer will give you a certain number of days to try out a product, and if necessary, return the item – if it’s faulty. Make sure you read the terms, and if your product does come with a guarantee – check how long for, and make sure to try it out well before the time is up.
Easy to Use: Some thermometers are downright difficult to figure out. Do I press this button? Or hold it down? It can be baffling, to say the least. And while that might be OK when checking your own temperature – dogs don’t tend to be quite so patient! Pick up an easy to use thermometer that works in just the click of a button to save yourself any hassle.
Ergonomic Design: For owners that suffer from joint problems like arthritis, it can be such hard work to do something as simple as measuring your dog’s temperature. Luckily, companies around the world have heard your pleas, and many now design their products to be ergonomic to use!
Simple to Clean: Whether you’re using a non-contact, ear, or rectal thermometer, you want to keep it free from germs, and ready to go as soon as you think your dog is running a little warm.
Product Reviews
1. iCare-Pet Clinic Thermometer:
Best For Nervous dogs
- Category: Non-contact thermometer
- Weight: 5.8oz
- Celsius Or Fahrenheit: Both
- Accuracy: +/- 0.4
PROS:
- Backlit display for easy results reading.
- Air mode – for measuring air temperature.
- Object mode – for measuring surface temperature (handy for dog clippers).
- Memory recall for 32 temperature readings.
- Lightweight and ergonomic.
CONS:
- Not as accurate as a contact thermometer.
- Readings tend to vary.
This infrared thermometer from iCare-Pet offers a great solution for measuring your dog’s temperature if he’s nervous of the in-ear or rectal versions. If your dog is especially timid, you can also mute the device so that it doesn’t beep when the reading has successfully been taken.
As such a non-invasive, lightweight, quiet, and altogether friendly looking device – this could be a good choice for doggie foster parents who look after previously neglected or mistreated canines who need some time to rebuild their trust.
With a light up display and large lettering on the screen, it makes it quick and easy to check whether your pet is in good health. And if you happen to have a dog with a medical condition that requires frequent checks, you’ll be happy to hear that this thermometer comes with a memory that goes back for a whopping 32 measurements!
For owners of multi-pet households, you’ll be able to utilize this thermometer for all of your big-eared buddies, from rabbits and horses to cats and koalas – side note, if you have a pet koala, please can I come and visit?!
2. iProven Digital Medical Pet Thermometer:
Best For Traveling With
- Category: Rectal
- Weight: 1.6oz
- Celsius Or Fahrenheit: Both
- Accuracy: Unknown
PROS:
- Fast results.
- Incredibly lightweight.
- Flexible tip.
- Waterproof.
- Very durable.
CONS:
- Comes with low power batteries that need replacing quickly.
- Not always accurate.
Incredibly lightweight and small – a great option for dog owners that want to bring a thermometer with them on the go! Just pop it in your purse, and you’re ready to go – although, you’ll also need the accompanying lubrication and disinfectant for after use.
Waterproof, so you can be fully sure that you’ve adequately disinfected. After all, taking a dog’s temperature is all about making sure that they’re healthy – so you don’t want to introduce any bacteria or parasites inadvertently.
With a flexible tip, if your dog is nervous and struggling to stay still, you don’t have to worry about causing him any internal injuries – as the tip of this thermometer is entirely flexible, meaning that if necessary it will bend with his movement.
3. iProven Ear Thermometer With Forehead Function:
Best For Comfort
- Category: Ear thermometer
- Weight: 2.4oz
Celsius Or - Fahrenheit: Both
- Accuracy: Unknown
PROS:
- FDA approved.
- Special comfortable probe design.
- Lights up with multiple colors for easy reading.
- Dual temperature reading.
- Speedy results.
CONS:
- As it gets older, it becomes less accurate.
- Won’t give a reading if held in the wrong position.
Designed for use with children, but works just as well with pets. This thermometer has been crafted to possess a super comfortable probe that sits just in the ear for temperature measurement.
The idea behind the design was to make children and babies more comfortable as they’re having their temperature read – and wouldn’t you know it, our fluffy kids appreciate that design feature too!
FDA approved, you can use this in the ear in the exact same way that you would a dog specific thermometer. With fast results, a light up screen — featuring multi-colored lights – and dual temperature readings, you’ll know whether your pooch is feeling under the weather in two shakes of his fluffy tail.
Do watch out for accuracy as this unit becomes older.
4. Hurinan Animal Electronic Pet Thermometer:
Best For Accuracy
- Category: Rectal Thermometer
- Weight: 6.2oz
- Celsius Or Fahrenheit: Both
- Accuracy: +/- 0.2
PROS:
- Safe and easy to use.
- An LCD screen for clear results.
- 90-day money back guarantee.
- Switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit easily.
- Can also be used for farm animals!
CONS:
- Takes a while to register a temperature.
- The batteries it comes with aren’t the strongest.
An easy to use rectal thermometer, with small diameter 3-inch probe for safe and comfortable temperature readings from your dog.
The shape of the product lends itself to being used without the use of a helper, by staying at your dog’s side, and using one hand to hold them still; you can use the other hand to insert the thermometer, and you should easily be able to get a reading. Having said that, if this is the first time that your dog is having his temperature measured, it’s best to find someone to assist.
An LCD screen means that reading the results won’t call for a magnifying glass and flashlight! And can even be done outdoors, or in a dimly lit area. Speaking of, not only can you use this for your canine companion, but if you are the owner of a smallholding – you might be pleased to hear that this can also be taken out to the barn and used on horses, sheep, pigs, and even cows!
The makers – Hurinan, are so confident in their electronic pet thermometer, that they even give you a generous ninety-day money back guarantee.
It is worth noting that the time to measure can be quite lengthy, so it might not suit a very nervous or impatient animal.
Why You May Need A Dog Thermometer
Keep a Track of Your Dog’s Health: Whether your pooch is the vision of health or suffers from a medical condition – it’s a great idea to be astute, and give them the occasional good ol’ home check-up. In fact, many veterinarians recommend this, as it really trains you to spot any irregularities as soon as they occur.
Check for Overheating: In the hot summer months, it’s easy to take for granted the fact that your dog just can’t regulate his body temperature in the same way that we do, and my goodness is it easy for them to overheat. Seriously, people, I can’t say it enough.
If this does happen, your dog can suffer from irreparable damage, so rather than assuming that they’re fine lying under that big shady tree in the yard – why not pop out, and give them a quick temperature check? And if need be – bring out some ice cubes for them to eat, or fill up your dog paddling pool for them to cool down in.
Avoid Expensive Vets Visits: Catching and diagnosing medical problems quickly can not only save your dog’s life – but can save you a fortune in veterinary bills. There are countless medical issues that dogs can face in their lifetimes, but some breeds are more vulnerable than others.
A quick search for your dog’s most common hereditary medical conditions will give you a good starting point of issues to actively keep an eye out for.
Provide Fast Treatment: Taking your dog to the vet isn’t the only thing you can do when you find a problem; you can start to provide treatment – or avoid things that will exacerbate the issue while you’re still at home.
Once you notice that something is wrong with your dog, phone your veterinary clinic, let them know what’s happening – and ask what you can do to immediately help.
They may suggest withholding water, exercise, or wrapping a wet towel around your dog – these are all just examples, and only relevant to specific medical conditions. Do not try these without specific instructions from your veterinarian or veterinary nurse.
Quarantine Sick Pets: If one dog starts looking under the weather, you take their temperature and find that they’re running a fever – make sure to keep your poorly pup quarantined away from all of your other animals and even your kids.
Many canine illnesses are contagious and can be passed on very easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Well, that depends on the specific thermometer category that you ended up choosing.
For a non-contact thermometer, you’re going to want to lift your dog’s ear out of the way – to give you a clear look into the ear canal. You should then aim the thermometer into the canal, and wait for the correct period of time for results to come back.
Ear thermometers work in the same way that human ones do, you take the small cone-shaped doo-dad, place a hygienic latex cover over it — if your thermometer comes with them –and place that just into the ear, being sure to exert no force.
Finally, for the rectal thermometer, you want to start by making sure that it has been thoroughly sterilized. That you have some kind of lubrication on hand, and perhaps gloves for yourself. Then, with the use of a helper holding your dog still, you want to place the lubricated thermometer into the dog’s rectum by about three inches.
No, unfortunately not – it’s not possible to get an accurate reading from a dog’s mouth.
Nope, taking your dog’s temperature is really no big deal, and while he can be nervous until he gets used to it, as long as you are careful and very patient, he’ll soon see this as something as normal as checking his ears for ticks!
The norm is 100 – 102.5 Fahrenheit (around 38-39.2 Celsius,) if his temperature is reading something different to that – notably under 99F or over 104F, you need to seek immediate veterinary assistance.
First, you want to soak a towel in water and apply to his paws, and his ears – this is one of the best ways for bringing his temperature down quickly. Offer him water, but don’t be surprised if he isn’t feeling well enough to take any. Then get him to the vets as quickly as you can.
Under no circumstances should you give your dog an ibuprofen or another medicine designed for human use. This can do far more harm than good.
That you can! All thermometers work in the same way, to measure a temperature. You cannot use the same one for both humans and animals, so be sure to buy one that looks entirely different so as to avoid any confusion.
Final Thoughts
Healthy and happy, two of the greatest descriptors for a lovely life! And as our dogs bring so much joy, happiness, and heck – even good health — thanks to all of those long walks! — into our lives; shouldn’t we do our bit for them too?
It only takes a couple of minutes to check that your furry friend is feeling his best, and as he can’t tell you if he’s feeling sick, it’s pretty much a necessity for a responsible dog owner!
So go on, you lovely human – buy Fido a thermometer, and maybe a pack of treats while you’re at it – that way you can reward him after he stands still to have his temperature read, what a good boy he is!