Enji Prime Digital Dog Thermometer
iCare-Pet Thermometer for Dog
Care Touch Digital Dog Thermometer
It’s natural to worry if your pet is off-color. After all, he can’t tell you what’s wrong. You can only go by the symptoms he is displaying. Of course, your first port of call if you think your dog is unwell is your veterinary surgery. But in the meantime, you may want to gather evidence to give your vet as full a picture of his symptoms as possible.
One sure sign that something’s up with your canine is if his temperature is above normal and he’s running a fever. Here, we look at the five best thermometers for dogs that you can buy on the market, as well as offering some handy tips on what to look for; when and how to use a thermometer; and how to treat a fever at home until you can get to your professional’s surgery.
This Enji digital thermometer is suitable for use both humans and pets and has been tested and approved both clinically and by the FDA. The flexible tip makes it comfortable and convenient to take an accurate reading, no matter which site is used. There is also a digital display window for easy reading and the thermometer is waterproof, meaning it is possible to fully sterilize it between uses. It also comes with probe covers and a transparent case for hygienic and safe storage whilst not in use.
Reading can easily be switched between Celsius and Fahrenheit by pushing a button; and are visible to the pet owner within 20 to 35 seconds, depending on the site used to take the measurement. There is no backlight, however. The thermometer overall is guaranteed non-toxic – avoiding mercury in its design, unlike traditional thermometers.
Accuracy: Precise to within one tenth of a degree
Speed: 20 to 35 seconds
Site: Rectal, oral and axillary
Waterproof
Reads in oF and oC
One year warranty
Backlight
This Enji digital thermometer is suitable for use both humans and pets and has been tested and approved both clinically and by the FDA. The flexible tip makes it comfortable and convenient to take an accurate reading, no matter which site is used. There is also a digital display window for easy reading and the thermometer is waterproof, meaning it is possible to fully sterilize it between uses. It also comes with probe covers and a transparent case for hygienic and safe storage whilst not in use.
Reading can easily be switched between Celsius and Fahrenheit by pushing a button; and are visible to the pet owner within 20 to 35 seconds, depending on the site used to take the measurement. There is no backlight, however. The thermometer overall is guaranteed non-toxic – avoiding mercury in its design, unlike traditional thermometers.
Accuracy: Precise to within one tenth of a degree
Speed: 20 to 35 seconds
Site: Rectal, oral and axillary
Waterproof
Reads in oF and oC
One year warranty
Backlight
If you’re looking for an affordable, yet highly accurate dog thermometer, check out iProven Pet Thermometer. With a soft and flexible tip, this rectal digital thermometer is easy and pretty quick to use. It’s comfortable for the pet (even the super-wriggly ones won’t mind this thermometer much!) and gives results in about 20 seconds, which is pretty fast for a device that costs less than $15. The model is also waterproof, so easy to clean and maintain as well.
The iProven shows results either in Fahrenheit or Celsius, whichever works better for you. Because it has a simple design and comes in a hard case, the thermometer is not only easy to use, but store too. All you have to do is apply a little bit of petroleum jelly or baby oil to insert the probe more easily, and hold your pet so you can take a measurement. After you’re done using it, clean the thermometer and store it in its case – done! The only downside? Batteries do need to be changed often, but at least the product comes with batteries included.
Accuracy: +/- 0.2 degree
Speed: about 20 seconds
Site: rectal, oral and axillary
Reliable and accurate
Waterproof and easy to clean
Budget-friendly
100 day guarantee, no questions asked
Batteries need to be changed often
This is an infrared thermometer, meaning direct bodily contact is not necessary when taking the temperature. While it can be used for humans, it’s also suitable for pets – simply switch from Surface to Animal mode and aim around 2 inches (5cm) from your dog’s skin. The no-touch feature makes taking your pet’s temperature less stressful for them – and for you too.
The LCD display has a backlit display, so it’s easy to read in all lights. The display is also color coded, with the color changing depending on the level of the animal’s temperature: green indicates a temperature within the normal range; orange suggests a slightly elevated temperature; and red, which indicates a high fever requiring immediate attention. There’s a buzzer too, which can be switched off if you think your pet is likely to be discomfited by the noise.
Accuracy: +/- 0.2oC (0.4oF) in humans; +/- 1oC (1.8oF) in object surface mode
Speed: not specified
Site: Forehead or ear in humans, area such as the dog’s outer ear in pets
Non-contact
Reads in oF and oC
Two year warranty
Backlight
Waterproof
The White Coat Fast Reading Digital Thermometer has a flexible tip for easy and comfortable use, molding itself to the area in which the temperature is being taken for a more accurate result. The thermometer will beep once temperature reading is taken, and it also stores the last reading taken so results can be compared over time. It is suitable for use in pets as well as humans (children to adults). The thermometer sounds an alarm if the temperature is above 100oF, although this might not be relevant when utilized on pets. Another point to note is that the product has no backlight.
However, this thermometer does measure both Celsius and Fahrenheit and comes with 30 bonus probe covers included in the price. There is also a hard shell case for protection whilst not in use, for travel and so on. The unit is covered by a one year warranty.
Accuracy: 98.9% accuracy
Speed: 10 – 30 seconds depending on site used
Site: oral, rectal, and axillary
Flexible Tip
Reads in oF and oC
One year warranty
Backlight
Accurate, quick and comfortable to use, you can’t go wrong with Kamsay Thermometer. This digital device can be used for both babies and pets, as it’s perfectly safe and highly accurate. Thanks to its soft and flexible tip, it’s easy to insert too, which is especially beneficial when measuring rectally. It helps you don’t have to wait long to get the measurements – about 10 seconds is all it takes. The display is large and lighted, so you shouldnt; have any issues reading the measurements easily even in the dark. Another useful feature is dual measurement reading (both Celsius and Fahrenheit).
The Kamsay device is waterproof and should be cleaned after each use, just like any other thermometer. It can be used rectally, orally or axillary, but using it rectally is recommended as it gives the most accurate measurements. Thanks to its sturdy construction and protective case, it’s also easy to store. The only minus we could find is it doesn’t stay lit up once the reading has finalized.
Accuracy: within 0.2 Fahrenheit (0.1 Celsius)
Speed: about 10 seconds or longer
Site: rectal, oral, axillary
Can be used on humans and pets
Quick and comfortable to use
Waterproof for hygienic use
Affordable, 1 year warranty
Display doesn’t stay lit up for long
Compact, cheap and easy to use, the ADC Veterinary Thermometer is just under 5 inches long, making it perfect for travel and easy storage. The device is specifically designed for veterinary purposes, so it can be used on dogs and other pets of all sizes and ages. It comes with a dual scale range of 90°F – 111.9°F, ±.2°F, or 32.0°C – 43.9°C, ±.1°C, providing accurate and quick results. That said, it’s certainly not the fastest thermometer out there – it takes anywhere between 10 to 60 seconds to accurately measure your pup’s temperature. The good thing is that it’s fairly easy to use as it’s specifically designed for use in animals.
This model comes in a handy carry case and includes five probe sheaths for hygienic use. The coin-type battery is also included and provides up to 1,500 measurements. Of course, it’s also replaceable, so when the battery flag starts blinking, it’s time to replace it.
Accuracy: to 0.3 degrees
Speed: 10 – 60 seconds
Site: rectal
Affordable and easy to use
Waterproof
Comes with disposable sheaths
Takes a while to read
While rectal temperature measurements tend to be the most accurate, if you have a pet who simply won’t let you take their temperature in that way, there’s no point in purchasing such a thermometer. Your next best bet? A non-contact thermometer such as the iCare-Pet Clinic Thermometer for Pets. This handy little device works by measuring a pet’s ear temperature in a span of a few seconds – the larger the ears, the faster the results. Besides measuring body temperature of dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets, the iCare-Pet thermometer can also take air and water temperatures too. This is thanks to the device’s Air Mode an Object Mode features which we found to be very handy, particularly if you have to test milk or water surface temperature when feeding puppies.
This model comes with 32 memories recalls, which can help you monitor your pet’s temperature and overall health better. The measuring range for pet body is 89.6-109.2 F, and for objects and air 32-140 F. On the downside, the device doesn’t provide dual range scale.
Accuracy: +/-0.4F
Speed: 1 second
Site: close to the ear canal
Super-quick and simple to use
One of the most comfortable thermometers for the pet
Can take water and air temperature as well
Not as highly accurate as rectal thermometers
Specifically designed to be used on pets and other animals, the Hurinan Animal Electronic Ehermometer is accurate and easy to use. Thanks to its small, 3-inch long probe, it’s not uncomfortable for the pet either, regardless of their size. The device is battery powered and comes with a large LCD that shows temperatures to +/- 0.2 F. Highly accurate, the device reads measurements either in Fahrenheit or Celsius and can be used both orally and rectally.
The Hurinan thermometer is easy to clean as well, as all you have to do is clean the tip with alcohol or soap after each use. While the manufacturer doesn’t specify exactly how long the device takes to measure the body temperature, most consumers agree it takes good 30-40 seconds.
Accuracy: +/- 0.2°F
Speed: 30- 40 seconds
Site: orally or rectally
Quick and simple to use
Large, easy-to-read LCD
Warranty 90 days
Takes a while to read the temperature
The Aurynns Pet Thermometer is veterinary approved, accurate and easy to use on a number of pets, including dogs, cats, horses, cows and other animals. With a simple, ergonomic design and small LCD, the device is easy to use even on fussy dogs and puppies as it’s comfortable both for you and the animal. It can be used either orally or rectally, and no matter which way you go, it takes about 20 seconds to record and display body temperature. Considering the affordable price, this is pretty quick!
While reliable and accurate, the model cannot switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius, which is something to keep in mind if you like to have both scale ranges on hand. There is an automatic shut-off feature though, which helps save battery life.
Accuracy: +/-0.2 F
Speed: around 20 seconds
Site: orally or rectally
Specifically designed for pets and animals
Easy to use and clean
Reliable and accurate
May take longer to read the temperature from time to time
There are a few aspects to bear in mind if you’re looking for the right thermometer to take your precious pet’s temperature when he’s under the weather.
With those factors in mind, we’ve rounded up the pick of the products in this category on the market.
A dog’s normal temperature will fall between the range of 99.5oF (37.5oC) and 102.5oF (39.2oC). It’s important to remember that this is higher than humans’ average range, which for reference is between 97.6oF (36.4oC) and 99.6oF (37.6oC).
Any reading that you take that’s over 103oF (39.4oC) indicates that your dog has a fever. And if his body temperature is 106oF (41.1oC) or above, it’s vital to note that this could well be life-threatening and emergency treatment should be sought from your vet. Excessively high temperatures can cause damage to the internal organs.
Standard glass human thermometers are not suitable for use on dogs, because they are not built to give accurate readings of canines’ higher temperatures. They can also be dangerous if your dog suddenly reacts adversely to the process and the thermometer snaps while inside him. There are two main types of thermometer designed for use with dogs, which you can find online or in your local pet store.
Thermometers are then described as being for rectal, axillary, and/or auricular use. The rectal thermometer will usually be the cheapest and is the most traditional option. It’s wise to have a friend or family member whom the dog likes to help with the process, as he may struggle. This is not only distressing, but can affect the reading.
Axillary thermometers take a reading from the dog’s armpit. They’re a fair option for dogs that won’t allow rectal temperatures to be taken but will not offer as precise a reading.
Auricular temperature readings are taken from the ear canal. As they use an infrared beam to measure the temperature by bouncing off the dog’s eardrum, which is a fair way down the ear, you will need to buy a thermometer specifically designed for dogs for this purpose. Ones suitable for use in humans will not have a suitably long probe. This makes them the most expensive of the three options, but many owners may prefer this to causing their dog any distress by attempting rectal measurements.
The accuracy of the temperature taken depends very much on the correct positioning of the thermometer, though, making the rectal option – though the least pleasant – still the most reliable of the three.
The common features of a good pet thermometer are as follows:
Durability may also be a factor for you if you want to use the thermometer frequently, in the long term, and/ or are in the canine business – a breeder or groomer, for instance.
Finally, you should take into account your own temperament and that of your pet before purchasing a thermometer and use that to inform your choice. Some dogs will absolutely not tolerate you taking a rectal temperature; some owners may be squeamish and unwilling to do it that way too! In that case, an auricular or axillary thermometer may be the better option.
As noted above, if your dog’s temperature is 103oF (39.4oC) or above, it’s highly likely he has a fever. Consulting a vet as a matter of urgency is a must, but there are a few things you can do to try and bring his temperature down in the meantime:
Additionally, try and ensure he keeps drinking, as far as possible – place his water bowl within easy reach if he’s not moving around much.
Related Post: Dog Bowls
No, human medicines should never be administered to canines. In particular, aspirin and acetaminophen (analgesics such as Tylenol) are toxic in dogs.
As in humans, fever in dogs is usually caused by infections and inflammations. A raised temperature is a sign that your pet’s body is trying to fight off the invading germs, which cannot survive at higher temperatures. The infection or inflammation may be external, such as a bite, cut or scratch that has become infected; or internal, like a Urinary Tract Infection (a UTI). Other possible infections include:
In some cases, eating something your dog shouldn’t have ingested can also result in fevers. The types of substances that might be poisonous in dogs include:
However, this list is not exhaustive and you should make a note of anything out of the ordinary you have caught your dog eating recently and tell your vet.
Fevers are also among the side-effects of some pet medications. Moreover, they can occur after some vaccinations, usually lasting no longer than 48 hours. However, your vet will usually advise when prescribing medicines or administering injections if fever is likely to occur as a result.
Related Post: Best Dog Pill Shooter