Dog Thermometer

Why You Need A Dog Thermometer

A dog thermometer helps you monitor the temperature of your pet and note when there's a fever or illness. While some people use regular thermometers for this purpose, dog temperatures are tailored for dog's specific temperatures and bodies and can give you a more accurate reading.

Dog Thermometers You Can Choose From

Whether you opt for a dog thermometer yourself or ask your veterinarian for recommendations, knowing your options helps you select one most appropriate for your dog's comfort and your ease of use.

Digital Rectal Thermometers: This type provides the most accurate reading and remains the most used option amongst pet owners. Though the thought of taking a rectal temperature may gross you out, it can be over in a matter of seconds, causing less stress on your dog and yourself in the long run.

Ear Thermometers: If your dog doesn't want to receive a rectal temperature, an ear thermometer is another good option, as it takes the temperature from within the ear canal. This is less invasive and more comfortable, but it is not as accurate since things like earwax or infections can affect the reading, making it less reliable.

Infrared Forehead Thermometers: These are the most non-invasive, as they take a temperature from contact with the dog's skin, avoiding insertion. However, they're also the least reliable—dogs don't operate on skin temperature; they maintain heat through panting, meaning this reading may come up short.

Features To Look For In A Dog Thermometer

The best dog thermometer possesses certain qualities that make it trusted and easy to use.

Accuracy: The most essential component of any dog thermometer is the accuracy it presents. The more consistently read temperatures mean the clearer picture you have of what might be wrong with your dog to determine the next course of action.

Speed: Get a dog thermometer that reads fast enough so you don't spend forever trying to get an accurate reading, stressing your pet out even further. The quicker it is over, the easier it is for both owner and animal.

Ease of Use: A thermometer should present with a digital option that boasts easy-to-read numbers along with simple instructions. The last thing you want is to use something that doesn't communicate effectively or could put you and your pet in danger.

While some aspects of choosing a good dog thermometer are subjective, it's vital to understand accuracy vs. practicality vs. safety. Keeping an additional dog thermometer with your pet supplies assures any health-related incidents can be kept tracked of.