Yes, dogs can absolutely get fevers, and it’s more common than most owners realize. A “fever” in dogs means their body temperature is higher than their normal healthy range, usually because the immune system is responding to some problem like infection or inflammation.

What counts as a fever in dogs?

  • Normal dog temperature: about 100–102.5°F (37.5–39°C).
  • Many vets call it a fever once it’s above about 102.5–103°F (over 39°C).
  • Above ~106°F, it can be an emergency and may cause serious complications.

Dogs naturally run hotter than humans, so a dog can feel “warm” to your touch and still be completely normal.

Common causes of fever in dogs

A fever is usually a sign the body is fighting something off.

  • Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections (skin, lungs, urinary tract, ears, internal organs).
  • Inflammation inside the body, like pancreatitis or encephalitis.
  • Infected wounds or post-surgery infections.
  • Immune system problems (autoimmune diseases, some cancers).
  • Vaccine reactions – mild, short-lived fevers after routine shots are possible.
  • Heat-related issues (heat stroke / hyperthermia), which can look similar but are caused by overheating rather than immune response.

Dogs usually do not get a fever directly “from humans,” because most human germs are species-specific, and vice versa.

Signs your dog might have a fever

You can’t reliably tell just from feeling their nose. A thermometer is the only way to know for sure, but these signs are common:

  • Lethargy, low energy, hiding, or acting “not themselves”
  • Warm ears or body, shivering, or seeming hot to the touch
  • Loss of appetite, drinking less (or sometimes more)
  • Red or glassy eyes
  • Rapid breathing or increased heart rate
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Pain, stiffness, or limping if there’s an injury or joint problem

An example: a normally playful dog that suddenly sleeps all day, feels very warm, and refuses dinner may well have a fever and should be checked.

What you should do if you suspect a fever

  1. Take their temperature if you can.
    • Use a digital pet or rectal thermometer made for animals and some lubricant.
    • Anything over about 102.5–103°F (39°C) is a reason to call your vet.
  1. Call your vet for guidance.
    • Especially if: temperature is at or above 103°F, they seem very unwell, there is vomiting/diarrhea, trouble breathing, or known injury.
  1. Keep your dog comfortable while you wait.
    • Provide cool (not cold) resting spots and fresh water at all times.
 * Do not use ice baths or extreme cooling, which can be dangerous, especially with heat stroke.
  1. Never give human fever medications unless a vet explicitly tells you to.
    • Drugs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and many others can be toxic or fatal to dogs even in small doses.

Your vet may treat the underlying cause (for example, antibiotics for infection, fluids and pain relief for pancreatitis, or specific therapy for immune disease). They may also use medications to lower the fever, but only after examining your dog.

Quick Scoop recap

  • Yes, dogs can get fevers, and it means their temperature is above their normal 100–102.5°F range.
  • Fever is usually a sign of infection, inflammation, immune problems, or heat-related issues.
  • Watch for behavior changes, warmth, low appetite, and other illness signs, but confirm with a thermometer.
  • Don’t use human meds; contact a vet if the temperature is high or your dog seems very sick.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.