How to take a dog's temperature?

The normal temperature can fluctuate during the day, so there is no point in taking 15 measurements: 2-3 taken during the day are enough.

Other factors can also influence the temperature: the state of stress (which can artificially raise the temperature a little), the support on which the animal is located (a cold tile will lower the normal body temperature), the physical activity or time-related variations (lower temperature in the morning and higher in the evening).

How to take the dog's temperature?

Before any handling, your animal must be as calm and confident as possible. Caress it, talk to it, get help if needed. Install yourself at height or on the ground.

• Lift the tail to be able to clear his anus
• Lubricate the thermometer with a little soap or petroleum jelly and insert it until the metal tip has completely disappeared
• Wait 2 minutes if it is a mercury thermometer or until the ringtone if it is an electronic thermometer.

To take the temperature of an animal, it is better to favor flexible and more reliable electronic thermometers. Avoid forehead thermometers (ineffective because of hair) or ear thermometers (temperature variation can also be attributed to ear disease).

Don't rely on the truffle to gauge your animal's temperature!