The Best Dog Thermometers in 2022

A dog thermometer is a must-have piece of equipment for dog Moms and Dads. If you have not yet got one yourself, here are the features you should consider:

• Can it be used on a pet?

Check that the design is suitable to be used on pets. Any thermometer that is only for oral use would not be suitable because a dog will just bite it. Rectal and non-contact thermometers are always best.

• What units does it use?

If you are used to talking about body temperatures in Fahrenheit, then a thermometer that gives only Celsius will not be any good for you. Many thermometers will give a reading in both and you can switch between the two by simply pressing a button.

• How quick are the results?

This is a very important factor when it comes to measuring a dog’s temperature because dogs seldom like to stand still. The faster the better. Many dog thermometers deliver results within a few seconds.

• How accurate is it?

Not all thermometers are that accurate so check out the specifications and the reviews. Some will need to be calibrated before you use them and may lose accuracy as they get older. The rectal use thermometers are often more accurate than the non-contact because they are actually inside the body.

• How easy is it to read?

This is important because it can take a lot of effort to take a dog’s temperature and you want to know what the reading is once you have done it! A backlit LED display on a digital pet thermometer will be the easiest, even in poor light.

• How easy is it to use?

Ideally, you just want to press one button and let it do the rest. Dogs don’t often like having their temperature taken so you need to be quick.

• Is it comfortable?

Rectal thermometers that have a flexible tip are safer and more comfortable for your dog. The non-contact thermometers need to be comfortable for you to hold.

• Is it hygienic?

Rectal use thermometers must be capable of being cleaned so they must be water-resistant. Some come with disposable covers which cut down on the cleaning needed.

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A dog thermometer should be an essential part of your kit for looking after your dog. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Detecting a fever

Sadly, your pooch cannot tell you that they are feeling ill so you must be able to tell in different ways. Taking their temperature gives you a numeric indication of how ill they are.

• Informing a vet

When you call a vet to tell them that your dog is ill, it is very useful to be able to tell them what their temperature is. This allows the vet to decide if they need an emergency appointment.

• Tracking recovery

Once you have received medication from your vet, you can track if it is working by taking regular temperature readings.

• Detecting hypothermia

Dogs can get very cold if they have been outside in freezing conditions. It is useful to be able to tell if their core temperature has fallen.

• Breeding

A female dog will have a change in body temperature when they are ready to mate and temperature monitoring can be useful if you are planning on breeding from your dog.

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There are several categories of digital thermometer for dogs.

• Rectal thermometer

These are probe-like thermometers that are inserted in a dog’s butt (anus). They used to be mercury thermometers but now they are digital. Vets consider a rectal thermometer for dogs to be the most reliable for detecting fever. If you are not accustomed to using them, you may feel a bit apprehensive but you will soon get the hang of it. You do, however, have to take great care.

• Non-touch dog thermometers

These work using infrared beams that bounce off your dog’s body. You don’t have to put anything in your dog’s body at all. You will usually direct it at your dog’s skin or ear and simply press a button. They are often more expensive than rectal thermometers but are very fast. Because they are non-invasive, they can be used for pregnant dogs without risk.

• In-ear dog thermometers

Some owners prefer to use a dog ear thermometer as they are less invasive for the dogs. They do however, have to sit still for you to use it! They usually use infrared waves which bounce off the eardrum and give a reading in just one or two seconds. If you target the wrong part of the ear, you will get an inaccurate reading.

Not all experts agree that the ear temperature accurately reflects the body’s core temperature in the same way as the rectal temperature does. A veterinary grade pet ear thermometer will be the best available but will be very expensive. The non-professional models are cheaper but are considered less accurate.

• Other thermometers

The old mercury thermometers that were traditionally used to take rectal temperatures are no longer considered safe for use as an animal thermometer because they can snap.

Obviously, the adhesive forehead scan strips that are widely used on children are not suitable as a canine thermometer because dogs have fur! However, they can be handy for checking the temperature of a kennel or a room where a dog is due to whelp to make sure that it is suitable.

The method you use for taking your dog’s temperature will depend on what type of thermometer you are using.

It is best to have someone to help you. One person holds the dog and reassures them by talking soothingly. Their task is to stop your dog from making any sudden movements.  Lubricate the thermometer probe with petroleum jelly. Then, lift the dog’s tail and gently and slowly insert the thermometer into the anus whilst rotating it a little. Make sure that only the metal tip is inserted, do not push it in too far. There may be a button to press and the temperature reading will be ready within a few seconds. Most thermometers let you know with a beep.

The accuracy of the temperature can be affected by fecal material and rectal inflammation. It can also be affected by colon contractions or muscle tone in the colon. It is important that your dog stays still because physical activity can also make the reading inaccurate. When you remove the thermometer, you need to wipe it clean with water or an alcohol wipe. Take a look at our review of dog wipes for more options.

Even though the rectal temperature is the “gold standard” method for recording internal core temperatures in dogs, some owners prefer a method to take the temperature in the ear. You need to lift up your dog’s ears and insert the tip of the thermometer carefully into the ear drum.

Very similar thermometers are also used on humans. You usually have to press a button and the temperature is available to read on a digital LED display in a couple of seconds. Most dogs are very tolerant of having their temperature taken this way and don’t make a fuss. However, if your dog refuses to hold their ear still, it can be hard to get an accurate reading.

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The non-contact thermometers require little more than aiming it at an appropriate part of your dog’s body and pressing a button. Taking an axillary temperature (at the junction where the limbs meet the body) is common for humans and can be used for animals if they are very resistant to the rectal method. However, there are concerns that the axillary temperature does not correlate with the rectal temperature. The axillary method is not as capable of detecting hyperthermia or a mild fever in dogs but if they have a high fever it is likely to pick it up.

Enji Digital Thermometer

Our top pick of the best dog thermometers is completely safe and reliable and can be used to record the rectal temperature of your dog. It delivers rapid results and is also safe for human use. It will display the temperature within 10 seconds.

The design is waterproof for hygienic cleaning and the flexible tip ensures the comfort of your pet. The temperature will be displayed in degrees C and degrees F. It is exceptionally easy to use – you just have to press a button. It comes with a plastic case to keep it safe and clean during storage.