How to Comfort a Dog With a Fever: Veterinary Tips

If your dog has a fever, there are many ways you can help them feel better while their body works to fight off the infection. Make sure they stay well-hydrated with plenty of fresh water, and ensure that their environment is a comfortable temperature. You can also use cool compresses on their ears, paws, and around their head to help lower their body temperature. Watch for any changes in their condition, and call your vet if their fever doesn’t break.

Even though a fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection, it’s never fun to see your dog feeling sick and uncomfortable. In this article, we’ll provide in-depth advice from veterinarians on how to comfort and care for your dog if they have a fever. This will cover everything from how to help them feel more comfortable to how to make sure they’re getting enough fluids, and how to tell if it’s time to take them to the vet.

Cool Down and Hydration Methods

Ensuring that your dog stays hydrated while they have a fever is important to help them recover. You can help your dog drink more water by adding some low-sodium broth to their water or even pouring some water over their food. You can also give them bone broth to help stimulate their appetite, give them some much-needed nutrients, and keep them from getting dehydrated.

To help bring down your dog's fever, you can also put cool, damp cloths or towels on their ears, paws, and belly. You can also turn a fan on near them or put them in a room with air conditioning to help them feel more comfortable and cool, according to the Whole Dog Journal.

That said, it's important to keep an eye on your dog's temperature, as PetCube notes that you should stop these methods once their temperature goes below 103°F (about 39.4°C), which is the fever range. If you continue to cool them down past this point, it could lead to other health problems.

With the right hydration, cooling, and comfort, you can help your dog feel better while they're dealing with a fever. Just make sure that you're keeping an eye out for any signs that their condition is getting worse and that they may need to see a vet.

Natural and Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that uses highly diluted substances to trigger the body's natural system of healing. As explained by Dogs Naturally Magazine, homeopathy takes into account a dog's mental, emotional, and physical symptoms to help the body rebalance and heal itself.

In the Dogs Naturally Magazine article on homeopathic treatment for dogs, there are a number of remedies that are suggested to help with a fever, including Aconitum napellus for sudden, extreme changes in fever, Belladonna for sudden high fevers, and Ferrum phosphoricum for general respiratory symptoms.

Homeopathic remedies can be used in conjunction with traditional treatments, but according to NHV Natural Pet, it's important to work with a homeopathic vet to ensure the right dosage and usage. Homeopathic remedies should be used as a complement to traditional veterinary care, not a substitute.

Essential Oils for Fever

If you're interested in using essential oils to help your dog recover from a fever, you may want to consider using them as a complementary therapy. Wondercide notes that essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus can be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune-boosting when used correctly.

However, veterinarians such as Dr. Melissa Shelton stress the importance of using only high-quality, pure essential oils and making sure to dilute them properly. For example, lavender oil can be diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil and then used topically or added to water, according to Forbes Advisor.

Although essential oils can be safe for dogs when diluted and used properly, especially under the guidance of a veterinarian who is experienced in their use, it's important to remember that puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with certain health conditions may be more sensitive to them. Whole Dog Journal explains that this is why it's important to work with a vet who can help you determine which oils to use and how to use them in a way that's safe and effective.

How to Make Your Dog Feel Better

Of course, it's important to make sure your dog is comfortable as they recover from a fever. According to PetCube, this means avoiding strenuous exercise and instead focusing on gentle activities like play or puzzle toys. The LakeCross Veterinary Hospital also notes that rest is important during this time.

If your dog is having trouble eating or drinking, Fetch recommends feeding them smaller, more frequent meals and even warming up their food to make it more appealing. It's also important to make sure they're drinking enough, so you can add low-sodium broth or bone broth to their water to encourage them to drink more.

Make sure you're keeping a close eye on your dog during this time and looking out for any signs that their condition is getting worse. According to Fetch, if the fever doesn't go away or if your dog seems like they're getting worse, you should contact your vet right away.

When to See a Vet

If a dog's fever doesn't go away or gets worse, it's important to get to the vet right away. The American Kennel Club says that a temperature over 103°F (39.4°C) should be a cause for concern and that anything over 106°F (41.1°C) is an emergency and should be seen by a vet immediately.

Other symptoms that should be worrisome and should be seen by a vet include vomiting, diarrhea, or any signs of respiratory distress, according to WebMD. While at-home treatments can help make your dog more comfortable, they should not be used in place of a vet's care, as PetCareRx points out. Not treating a high fever can lead to organ failure and other serious issues.

By making sure to keep a close eye on your dog's temperature and symptoms and taking them to the vet when necessary, you can help make sure that your dog gets the care they need to recover from a fever.

Wrapping Up: Advice for Soothing Dogs with Fevers

Creating a soothing, stress-free environment is important when it comes to helping your dog get over a fever. Per PetCube, this means avoiding high-energy activities and instead focusing on light play or puzzle toys that will keep your dog entertained while they rest. The LakeCross Veterinary Hospital also notes that it's important to make sure your dog gets plenty of sleep during this time.

To help make sure your dog is eating and drinking, you can feed them smaller meals more frequently and warm up their food to make it more appealing, according to Fetch. Hydration is also important, so you can also add low-sodium broth or bone broth to their diet to help make sure they're getting enough fluids.

You should also make sure to keep a close eye on your dog during their recovery and look out for any signs that their condition is getting worse. As Fetch points out, if your dog's fever doesn't break or they seem to be in pain, it's important to take them to the vet right away.