Fever in Dogs and Cats - First AID

Herb Rovay
Mar 12
3 min read

Dog with a blue ice pack on its head and a thermometer in its mouth, lying on a white background, appears tired or unwell. — An unwell dog lies with a thermometer in its mouth and an ice pack on its head, perfectly. Hilltop / Top Care

First Aid Advice Before You Reach the Vet

Fever in dogs and cats can be a sign that something is wrong, but it does not always mean there is an infection. Fever can occur with infection, inflammation, autoimmune disease, heat stroke, or even cancer.

That is why fever should be taken seriously, especially if your pet also seems weak, depressed, shivery, off food, vomiting, or generally unwell.

The safest first step is to confirm whether your pet actually has a fever, then know when veterinary attention is needed.

What Temperature Counts as a Fever?

Normal Body Temperature in Dogs and Cats

Normal body temperature in both dogs and cats is usually around 38.3°C to 39.2°C.

A temperature above 39.4°C is considered high enough that you should contact your veterinarian or local emergency clinic.

A temperature above 41.1°C can be life-threatening and needs immediate veterinary attention.

How to Check Your Pet’s Temperature

The Most Accurate Way

The most accurate way to check your pet’s temperature is with a rectal digital thermometer.

To do this:

use a digital electronic thermometer
lubricate it with a water-based lubricant, baby oil, or soap
gently insert it about 1 to 2 cm
wait for the reading

Human ear thermometers do not work well in pets.

Signs Your Pet May Have a Fever

What Owners May Notice at Home

You may suspect a fever if your pet seems:

lethargic
depressed
shivery
warm to the touch
off food
vomiting
coughing
generally unwell

Some pets may also have nasal discharge or other signs of illness. However, the only reliable way to confirm a fever is to take the temperature.

What to Do if the Temperature Is High

Safe First Aid Steps

If your pet’s temperature is above 39.4°C, contact your veterinarian or emergency centre.

If the temperature is over 40.8°C, you can begin gentle cooling while arranging urgent veterinary care.

Helpful steps include:

moistening the hair coat with cold water
paying particular attention to the ears and feet
directing a fan onto the moistened areas

This may help lower the temperature safely while you seek veterinary advice.

Fluids and Hydration

Encourage Small Amounts Only

If your pet has not vomited in the past 4 to 6 hours, you can encourage small, frequent amounts of water.

Do not force your pet to drink.

If your pet has been vomiting recently, is very weak, or is not able to keep water down, veterinary attention is more important than trying to manage this at home.

Do Not Overtreat the Fever

Cooling Too Much Can Be Dangerous

Stop cooling once the rectal temperature reaches 39.4°C.

Continuing to cool after that point may cause the pet to become too cold, leading to hypothermia.

What Not to Do

Avoid Human Medications

Do not give aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, or other medications unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so.

Many human medications used for fever are poisonous to pets.

Fever does not always mean bacterial infection, so antibiotics are not automatically the right treatment either.

When Is Fever an Emergency?

Signs Your Pet Needs Immediate Care

You should seek urgent veterinary care if:

the temperature is above 41.1°C
your pet is extremely lethargic or collapsed
your pet is vomiting repeatedly
your pet is not eating
your pet is coughing or having trouble breathing
your pet is shivering heavily and seems very unwell

A fever can be a sign of a serious underlying illness, and very high temperatures can be dangerous on their own.

Fever Care in Kalamunda

When Your Pet Needs Veterinary Attention

If your dog or cat has a fever, seems unusually quiet, or is showing other signs of illness, the team at Hilltop Veterinary Hospital in Kalamunda can assess your pet and recommend the safest next steps.

Early treatment can be important, especially if the fever is high or your pet is becoming weak or dehydrated.

Concerned About a Fever?

We Can Help

If your pet feels unwell or has a temperature above normal, book a consultation with Hilltop Veterinary Hospital so our veterinary team can assess the cause and provide the right treatment.