Why Is My Dog’s Head Hot? (EXPLAINED!)

Do you notice that your dog’s head gets hot when you pat or cuddle your pet? When your dog experiences overheating, this can signify heat exhaustion from humid, hot weather, a health condition, or other common causes.

A dog’s nose, ears, or head will feel hot when its core body temperature rises, which is essential to monitor and determine if it’s temporary and harmless or a symptom of something more serious a veterinarian should address.

A Sign of Illness or Infection

When your dog gets a fever, this can be a sign of inflammation or an infection, which may be due to illness, ingesting toxins, or other environmental factors. A feverish temperature can indicate that your dog’s body is actively fighting a viral or bacterial infection, leading to inflammation, fatigue, and respiratory issues. If a dog suffers an injury while playing outdoors, it’s essential to dress the wound quickly and observe any changes in your pet’s health.

If a dog seems exhausted, with symptoms that include excessive panting, lack of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, shivering, and vomiting, it’s crucial to get medical attention from a veterinarian immediately.

While a mild fever may be a non-issue and disappear after a short time, it’s essential to regularly take your dog’s temperature, especially if they are prone to overheating. If medication is required to treat an infection or heat related illness, this can be administered by a licensed vet, along with instructions on how to monitor and care for your pet.

Hot Weather and Humid Conditions

A dog’s temperature can easily change with a shift in weather conditions, especially in climates where the climate is hot and humid. If a dog remains outdoors for an extended period, in direct sunlight or in a hot area, it will experience a rise in body temperature.

Small breed dogs are quick to overheat due to their size, and a dog’s ears, head, and nose tend to heat faster than the rest of their body because these areas are smaller and more susceptible to changes in temperature.

Ideally, indoor room temperature should be no more than 72 degrees, which is comfortable for most dog breeds. Suppose a dog is more accustomed to a colder climate and has a thicker coat of furs, such as a Siberian Husky or an Alaskan Malamute.

In that case, the temperature can be reduced to 69 degrees or slightly lower, as needed. In most cases, dogs move towards a heat source, like a fireplace or direct sunlight from a window, if they feel cold, which can signify that the room temperature should be adjusted.

A Symptom of Natural Cooling

When a dog’s body temperature, precisely their head and upper body, heats up, this can be a sign of cooling down. Dogs can detect a shift in body temperature, which leads to the dog’s body naturally transporting warmer blood to their head while panting to cool down. Since dogs lack sweat glands, their body regulates temperature to keep them cool and comfortable.

Overheating Due to Stress

Stress and anxiety can cause sudden heat to your dog’s head, though this tends to disappear quickly. In most cases, a dog’s head won’t rise to a high temperature and instead may seem a bit warmer than usual. This reaction is temporary and occurs when dogs experience a sudden change in their environment, meet a new animal or person, or are shocked by a sudden thunderstorm or fireworks.

When another animal attacks dogs, they may overheat briefly following this incident, though there shouldn’t be any long-term effects unless there is a heat-related illness or injury.

Medication and Medical Treatments

It’s normal for dogs to experience an increase in body temperature following vaccination or a change in medication. This typically lasts for a short time, and there are often no other side effects. A new medication or treatment program may increase a dog’s temperature in some cases. However, it’s likely one of the expected symptoms that your veterinarian will discuss, along with handling any changes to your dog’s health.

In most cases, these fevers or temperature changes last no more than one day, and there is no danger of heating much beyond the average body temperature. It’s also a common side effect many humans experience when administered a vaccination.

Tips on Maintaining a Healthy Body Temperature for Your Dog

While it’s normal for a dog’s head and body temperature to vary from a bit cool to extra warm now and again, it’s essential to ensure that your pet’s temperature remains within a healthy range between 100 to 102.5 degrees.

Since a dog’s average body temperature is higher than a human’s, it may seem to have an average high temperature. A digital thermometer is an excellent option to have on hand to monitor your pup’s body temperature.

The following tips are ideal for keeping your pet healthy and comfortable:

• Invest in quality equipment to monitor your dog’s temperature, including a rectal thermometer, ear thermometer, or other digital thermometers that provide accurate results
• Maintain a consistent indoor temperature and note if your dog moves towards or away from a heat source, indicating a need for a cooler or warmer environment
• Keep cold water or a fan to help your pet cool down in hot, humid weather. If there’s direct sunlight, adding shade with air conditioning can provide relief for dogs with a thick coat of fur or small dogs prone to overheating

Final Thoughts

Dogs naturally regulate their body temperature, which can lead to changes in heat, especially on a hot day or when there’s a change in their health treatment. In most cases, a pet’s health isn’t adversely impacted by a slight overheating, though it’s essential to monitor and detect a severe change or shift in temperature. While serious heating can be a symptom of a serious illness or infection, most cases of a dog’s body heat, including their head, are regular and temporary.