Home » Symptoms » Dog Symptoms A-Z » Fever

Fever in Dogs

Author: Dr. med. vet. Gisa Löwe | Last modified: 17.02.2026

When to visit the vet?

Urgent see a veterinarian within 24 hours

If the condition worsens / symptoms persist, consult a veterinarian.

Unsure about what’s wrong with your pet? Feel free to use our Symptom Checker for more clarity

Fever in dogs is a condition where the body temperature rises above the normal range of about 38 to 39.2 degrees Celsius in response to an infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease., inflammation, or other health issues.

Can Occur with the Following Diseases:

Grundlagen und mögliche Ursachen

Fever is a natural defense reaction of the body and occurs when the immune systemThe immune system is the body's defense system against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It comprises a complex network of organs, cells, and molecules that work together to protect the body. reacts to invaders such as bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease., viruses, or fungi. The body increases its temperature to inhibit the growth of these pathogens, as many of them are less likely to survive at higher temperatures.

Another common scenario for fever is an inflammatory response, where the immune systemThe immune system is the body's defense system against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It comprises a complex network of organs, cells, and molecules that work together to protect the body. responds to injuries or irritants. This reaction can be triggered by a variety of factors, including autoimmune diseasesAutoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells or tissues as if they were foreign substances. Examples in dogs and cats include autoimmune hemolytic anemia and systemic lupus erythematosus., where the body mistakenly attacks its own cells, or by physical injuries such as cuts or bruises.

Additionally, vaccinations in dogs can temporarily cause fever. This is because the vaccineA vaccine is a substance that stimulates the immune system to develop immunity against specific pathogens without causing the disease itself. Vaccines may contain weakened or inactivated pathogens, toxoids, or recombinant antigens. stimulates the immune systemThe immune system is the body's defense system against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It comprises a complex network of organs, cells, and molecules that work together to protect the body. to produce an immune responseAn immune response is the immune system's reaction to foreign substances (antigens), such as microorganisms or proteins. It involves a series of processes aimed at recognizing, fighting, and eliminating these antigens., which in rare cases can lead to a slight increased body temperature.

Some chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. conditions, such as cancerCancer refers to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that can lead to tumors or spread throughout the body. Various types of cancer occur in dogs and cats, ranging from skin cancer to lymphomas. or endocrine disorders, can also cause fever. In these cases, the fever is often a sign of an underlying, more serious illness that requires a comprehensive veterinary examination.

Poisoning or the consumption of toxicToxic means "poisonous" and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. substances can also triggerA trigger is a stimulus that elicits a specific reaction or state. In veterinary medicine, this can refer to emotional responses, such as fear or aggression, or medical conditions, such as seizures in dogs and cats. fever. In such cases, the fever is often accompanied by other severe symptoms that require immediate veterinary help.

Typische Begleitsymptome

Lethargy: Dogs with fever are often unusually tired and withdrawn because their bodies conserve energy to fight the disease process.
Loss of appetite: A dog with a fever may lose interest in food as the body needs all resources to fight the infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease..
DehydrationDehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. This can lead to a number of problems, including headaches, Dizziness, and in extreme cases, renal failure or Cardiovascular collapse.: Fever can lead to increased fluid loss and thus to dehydration. This often shows in a dry mouth and decreased skin elasticity.
Shivering or chills: Dogs may shiver in an attempt to regulate their body temperature.
Rapid breathing and increased pulse: Heart and breathing rates may increase to meet the body’s increased metabolicMetabolic refers to metabolism, i.e. the entirety of chemical processes that take place in a living organism to enable life processes. Metabolic disorders can cause a variety of Diseases in Dogs and cats. needs.

Wann zum Tierarzt?

A veterinarian should be consulted if a dog’s fever lasts longer than 24 hours or if the body temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius. Such temperatures are potentially dangerous and can lead to organ damage.

If the fever is accompanied by other severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrheaDiarrhea refers to the condition of frequent, watery bowel movements, which can be a sign of infections, digestive disorders, or other health problems., seizures, or a severe cough, an immediate veterinary examination is also necessary. These symptoms can indicate a serious underlying disease that must be treated immediately.

Especially in young, elderly, or immunocompromised dogs, fever should be treated quickly, as these animals are more susceptible to complications.

If the dog has recently been vaccinated and develops a fever, this should also be discussed with the veterinarian to ensure that it is a harmless vaccinationVaccination is the process of administering a vaccine to develop immunity against a specific infectious disease. It is one of the most effective methods of prevention of infectious diseases. reaction and not something more serious.

Symptomerkennung für den Tierhalter und tierärztliches diagnostisches Vorgehen

For pet owners, recognizing fever is often difficult because dogs can hide their symptoms well. Measuring the body temperature with a digital thermometer in the dog’s rectum is the most reliable method for determining fever.

In addition to measuring the temperature, an experienced veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination to look for signs of infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. or inflammation. This includes palpating the abdomenThe abdomen, also known as the abdominal cavity, is the part of the body located between the rib cage and the pelvis. It houses several important organs, including the stomach, liver, kidneys, intestines, and spleen., listening to the heart and lungs, and examining the mucous membranes.

Additionally, blood tests may be ordered to check the white blood cell count, which is often elevated during an infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease.. X-rays or ultrasoundUltrasound refers to sound waves that are above the hearing threshold of the human ear. In medicine, ultrasound is used for diagnostic imaging procedures to visualize internal organs, tissues, and blood flow. examinations may also be required to uncover hidden sources of infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. or tumors.

In some cases, a urinalysis or examination of body fluids may be necessary to identify specific causes of the fever, such as a urinary tract infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. or other inflammatory processes.

Was kann der Tierhalter tun und professionelle Therapieoptionen

As a pet owner, there are some measures you can take immediately to help a dog with a fever. First, the dog should be kept in a cool, quiet environment to avoid additional stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being..

It is important to provide the dog with plenty of water to avoid dehydrationDehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. This can lead to a number of problems, including headaches, Dizziness, and in extreme cases, renal failure or Cardiovascular collapse.. Fresh, clean water should always be within reach, and the dog should be encouraged to drink regularly.

Giving medication to lower fever should only be done after consulting a veterinarian, as many medications suitable for humans can be toxicToxic means "poisonous" and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. to dogs.

Gently cooling the dog can help lower the temperature. This can be done by rubbing with a damp cloth or a cool, wet washcloth, paying particular attention to the paws and belly.

If the fever persists or worsens, the pet owner should not hesitate to seek professional veterinary help to determine the cause of the fever and treat it appropriately.

Ausblick auf aktuelle Forschung

Fever in dogs is a symptom that occurs as a body’s response to various triggers, including infections, Inflammatory conditions, medications, or environmental factors. Current research focuses on understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms that lead to an increase in body temperature. An important discovery is that cytokines, which are proteins released by immune cellsImmune cells are specialized cells of the immune system that help to identify and fight pathogens and foreign substances. These include leukocytes such as lymphocytes (T cells and B cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells., play a key role in inducing fever. These cytokines affect the hypothalamusThe hypothalamus is an area of the brain that plays a central role in regulating Hunger, thirst, sleep, body temperature, and other autonomic functions. It controls the pituitary gland through the production of hormones., which acts as the thermoregulatory center in the brain, to increase body temperature. This helps the body to act more efficiently against pathogens.

Another area of research deals with identifying biomarkers that can be used for the early detection and monitoring of fever in dogs. By analyzing blood samples and examining specific proteins or genetic markers, scientists hope to develop more accurate diagnostic tools that enable early intervention. Such approaches could help improve treatment outcomes for febrile illnesses by allowing veterinarians to respond more quickly to the underlying cause of the fever.

Regarding treatment, intensive work is being done to develop new medications that can effectively lower fever without compromising the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Traditionally, non-steroidalNon-steroidal refers to medications or substances that are not steroids and often have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or antipyretic effects. They are used in dogs and cats to treat Pain and Inflammatory conditions. anti-inflammatory drugsAnti-inflammatory drugs are medications that reduce inflammation. They can be divided into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids and are used in dogs and cats to reduce Inflammatory conditions and Pain. (NSAIDsNSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a class of medications used to relieve pain, reduce inflammatory conditions, and lower fever without using steroidal agents. They are a commonly used pain reliever in veterinary medicine.) are used to control fever, but they can have side effects. Researchers are exploring alternative active ingredients that target the mechanisms causing fever more specifically while showing better tolerability.

Another exciting research approach is the study of genetic predispositionA predisposition is an innate inclination or susceptibility of an organism to certain diseases or conditions. In dogs and cats, there may be a genetic predisposition to certain conditions such as hip dysplasia or certain heart diseases. for fever in dogs. Some breeds seem more susceptible to febrile illnesses, and through genetic studies, scientists hope to identify the specific genes that influence the risk. In the long term, this could lead to targeted breeding programs that reduce the frequency of fever in susceptible breeds.

Environmental factors are also increasingly being investigated as potential triggers for fever in dogs. Studies show that stressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being., climate, and other external influences can affect the immune responseAn immune response is the immune system's reaction to foreign substances (antigens), such as microorganisms or proteins. It involves a series of processes aimed at recognizing, fighting, and eliminating these antigens. and thus the body temperature. The research aims to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how these factors interact with other causes to triggerA trigger is a stimulus that elicits a specific reaction or state. In veterinary medicine, this can refer to emotional responses, such as fear or aggression, or medical conditions, such as seizures in dogs and cats. fever.

Overall, current research efforts show that fever in dogs is a complex symptom resulting from an interplay of various biological, genetic, and environmental factors. Advances in research could lead to improved diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. and treatment strategies, ultimately improving the health and well-being of dogs worldwide.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What is the normal body temperature of a dog? A dog’s normal body temperature is between 37.5 and 39.2 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above this can be considered a fever.
How can I tell if my dog has a fever? Fever can be detected by measuring the rectalRectal refers to anything involving the rectum, including administering medication or performing examinations via the anus. temperature. Signs such as lethargy, loss of appetite, shivering, and warm ears can also indicate fever.
What are the most common causes of fever in dogs? Common causes include infections, Inflammatory conditions, reactions to medications, and heatstroke. StressStress refers to the state of an organism reacting to external stimuli or demands. In veterinary medicine, stress can have physical or psychological effects on animals, impacting their health and well-being. and environmental factors can also play a role.
What should I do if my dog has a fever? It is important to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause of the fever and start appropriate therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions.. Self-medication should be avoided.
Can vaccinations cause fever in dogs? Yes, vaccinations can occasionally cause a temporary increase in body temperature, which usually subsides on its own.
Is fever always a cause for concern? Fever is a sign that the body is responding to a problem. While a mild fever is not always serious, a veterinarian should be consulted for persistentPersistent means lasting or continuing for an extended period. In veterinary medicine, it can refer to chronic diseases or symptoms that do not subside. or high fever.
Can home remedies help with fever? Some home remedies, such as offering cool water and providing a cool resting place, can help, but they do not replace veterinary care.
How long can fever last in a dog? This depends on the cause. A short fever can subside within 24 to 48 hours, while chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. fever can last longer and requires a veterinary examination.
Can certain breeds be more prone to fever? Yes, some breeds may be genetically more susceptible to febrile illnesses. Research is being conducted to understand the specific genetic factors.
How can fever in dogs be treated? The treatment depends on the cause. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or other specific therapies may be required. Always treat under veterinary supervision.