Why is My Dog's Head Hot? Here's What You Should Do

Last Updated on December, 2024

Why is the dog’s head hot? Reasons why your dog’s head is hot can be anything from fever, infectious disease, overheating, dog allergies, traumatic stress disorder to any underlying health condition.

Hence, it’s essential to understand the underlying cause and recognize why your dog’s head is hot.

In this guide, you will figure out the reasons why your dog’s head is hot, how to regulate its body temperature, preventive strategies, and methodologies to diagnose and treat your dog’s hot head.

Quick Summary

There are various reasons for why a dog’s head may feel hot, including fever, infectious diseases, heat stroke, dog allergies, dehydration, stress, inflammation, juvenile cellulitis, vaccinations, autoimmune disorders, and injury.

It is important to understand the underlying cause of a dog’s hot head and to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Preventive strategies to keep a dog’s head from feeling hot include avoiding excessive sun exposure, limiting exercise on hot days, providing regular grooming, ensuring access to water, using cooling products, and avoiding leaving dogs in hot cars.

Reasons for Dog’s Head Feeling Hot

a veterinarian checks a sick dog's body temperature using a thermometer

Here are the top reasons why your dog’s head feels hot.

1. Fever

Your dog may have a fever due to your dog’s immune system fighting against a disease.

A dog’s primary symptom of a fever is an increase in body temperature. If the temperature ranges between 103 degrees Fahrenheit and 105 degrees Fahrenheit, it is due to the fever.

Here are the reasons why a dog may have a fever:

Your dog has bacterial or viral infections, parasites, or other illnesses.
Your dog recently had a vaccination.

2. Infectious Disease

The primary types of infectious diseases commonly affecting dogs include:

Distemper.
Kennel cough.
Parvovirus.
Bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
Skin infections (Pyoderma, Ringworm).
Ear infections.

The symptoms of infectious diseases are inflammation, increased body temperature, head shaking, scratching of ears (during ear infections), and a hot sensation in the ears and head.

How do you protect your dog from infectious diseases?

You must keep the objects around your dog clean.
Ensure your pup plays in clean places.
Pay attention to regular vet visits.
Do not allow your dog to run around wildlife.
Ensure your pup is fully vaccinated.

3. Heat Stroke or Overheating

Heat stroke is when the dog’s body gets overheated due to prolonged exposure to increased temperatures. The other symptoms of heat stroke are dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum color, lethargy, bruising in the gum, and increased breathing rates.

Heat stroke is a common problem if you leave your dog inside the car or exercise excessively during hot weather.

4. Dog Allergies

The types of dog allergies are food allergies, skin allergies, and environmental allergies. The symptoms of dog allergies are scratching, warm head in dogs, vomiting, irritation, and wheezing.

5. Dehydration

Dehydration is caused due to not drinking sufficient water to maintain the water balance in your dog. The symptoms of dehydration are dry gums, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes.

If your dog has vomiting and diarrhea, it may also lead to having a hot head and also cause dehydration.

6. Stress

Does your dog feel stressed? Then, its body may respond to it by having a hot head. Your dog may feel stressed due to anxiety and fear issues.

When your dog goes through stress, hormones such as Cortisol and Adrenaline are released from its body, which in turn leads to symptoms such as; sweating, excessive panting, and, as mentioned above, a hot head.

7. Inflammation

Inflammation occurs as a response from your dog’s immune system in the fight against injury or infection. So, the affected area would be swollen and red.

Symptoms of inflammation for a dog include an increase in body temperature, swelling, redness, and a hot head.

8. Juvenile Cellulitis

Juvenile Cellulitis is an uncommon skin condition found among young puppies. It is also called Puppy Strangles.

The symptoms of Juvenile Cellulitis are having a hot head in dogs, lesions around the eyes and mouth, and inflammation of skin and lymph nodes.

9. Canine Vaccinations

an image of a veterinarian giving a vaccine to a sick dog

Your dog may feel a bit warmer than usual after a canine vaccine due to increased body temperature. It is typical to have a fever or increase in temperature after a vaccine because it is a reaction of the dog’s immune system.

If your dog has a hot head after a canine vaccination, please contact your vet and receive the dog’s medications accordingly.

10. Autoimmune Disorder

Cells are built inside a dog to protect itself from outsiders. When these cells turn vogue, they begin to attack the dog itself (within the body). This is called an Autoimmune disorder.

The two main types of autoimmune disorders are Lupus and Pemphigus, and the autoimmune disorder symptoms are inflammation, fever, blisters on the skin, and hot head in dogs.

11. Injury

If your dog had an injury, it may also lead to a hot head. Consequently, your dog may face trauma and be stressed about it.

The symptoms your dog may face from an injury are swelling in the specific area where it was hit or injured, discomfort, and fever.

What is the Normal Body Temperature of a Dog?

The normal body temperature of a dog spans between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.0 to 39.2 degrees Celsius).

Are there factors affecting the average body temperature of a dog? Yes, factors such as age, activity level, breed type, and health level affect the dog’s body temperature.

If your dog has an elevated body temperature (more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit), make sure to take your dog to the veterinarian before the body temperature rises further.

If your dog’s temperature passes the 106-degree mark, it could be critical for your pup.

How Do You Check a Dog’s Body Temperature?

You can check the dog’s temperature using one of the following methods.

Digital Ear Thermometer

Digital ear thermometers do not make your dog uncomfortable like rectal thermometers.

How to use a digital ear thermometer? Read the instruction manual for the type of thermometer you use, and carefully insert it into your dog’s ear canal (please don’t insert it deeply).

Measuring your dog’s body temperature will take up to two or three seconds using one of these thermometers.

Digital Rectal Thermometer

Rectal thermometers give accurate measurements of the dog’s body temperature. The downside of this type of digital thermometer is that it is uncomfortable for your dog.

Hence, accompany a family member your dog trusts and give treats to your dog when measuring the body temperature using a rectal temperature.

Mercury Rectal Thermometer

If you are using a mercury rectal thermometer, you need to place the thermometer inside your dog’s anus. Is it risky to use this thermometer? No, but they are less safe and time-consuming as your dog may feel uneasy.

How to Check Your Dog’s Temperature Without a Thermometer?

an image of a person checking the body temperature of a sick dog by touching its head with their hand

Here are the alternative ways to check if your dog has a higher body temperature:

Touch and Feel

You need to touch and feel the places where your dog has little or no hair. For example, you can feel their nose, paws, ears, armpits, and groin area. Thus, if they feel warmer than usual, you can conclude that your dog has a rise in temperature.

Check Your Dog’s Gums

If your dog experiences high temperatures, you may notice brighter colored or increased dryness in the dog’s gums.

Check Your Dog’s Nose

If your dog has a fever, you can notice a yellow or green colored discharge coming out of its nose (identical to having wet noses in dogs).

Common Symptoms of a Hot Head in Dogs

There are other symptoms you may notice affecting your dog’s health, such as:

Red gums: Your dog may have red or flushed gums if its temperature is not within the normal range.
Flushed ears: Your dog’s ears may be red or pinkish if “its temperature is high.
Excessive drooling: Your dog may excessively drool or foam around the mouth as it feels a warm head.
Panting heavily: The Dog pants to maintain the body temperature. Thus, if your dog has excessive panting, it is caused by feeling a high temperature.
Vomiting or diarrhea: To regulate the average body temperature, your dog may show symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.
Weakness or Lethargy: Your dog may feel less energized and weak since the dog’s body is not in a normal condition.

Hence, as a pet owner, if you notice any of the above symptoms, it means that your dog’s head may feel hot, so take it to your vet immediately.

Diagnosing a Hot Head in Dogs

an image of a dog receiving a medical examination at a veterinarian clinic

Here are the three ways to identify whether your dog has a hot head or not!

Physical Examination

You must consult your vet immediately if your dog’s head feels hot. Then, the vet will do a thorough physical examination.

Your vet may check your dog’s temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, and for signs of inflammation and pain, and ask you for any further information about the dog’s behavior.

Ensure to inform your vet about how long your dog’s head feels hot, the measures you took, the whining, or any other changes in behavior you noticed.

Blood Tests

You can take a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to diagnose why your dog’s head is hot. Based on the results, you can further conclude your pup’s problem.

It may vary from an infection to inflammation. Next, a chemistry panel is handy to identify the underlying medical conditions.

Imaging

Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can be used to inspect your dog’s head and neck. These tests are useful in detecting any irregularities or injuries in your dog’s head area.

Do you require a deep and detailed look at your dog’s head? Then, an MRI scan is the best solution.

Considering your dog’s imaging and health conditions, you can make an informed decision to help your dog recover.

How to Treat a Dog’s Hot Head?

There are two ways to treat if your dog’s head feels hot, as discussed below:

Vet Medications

Here is the dog medicine to give if your dog’s head feels hot (under vet consultation):

Provide drugs such as aspirin (specially manufactured for dogs) at the correct dosage under the veterinarian’s consultation.
Provide Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Carprofen, Meloxicam, and Firocoxib, which help reduce your dog’s inflammation and fever.

How to Treat Your Dog’s Hot Head At Home?

If there’s an emergency where you cannot consult the veterinarian, how do you treat your pup’s hot head at home?

Here is a helpful guide:

Regulate dog’s body temperature: You can keep your dog in cool places such as under fans, shady spots, or an air-conditioned room.
Provide water: When your dog’s temperature is high, give sufficient water to regulate its body temperature.
Apply cool compresses: It assists in maintaining temperature balance when your dog’s head is warm, and aids in activating the dog’s inherent cooling system.

What should you avoid doing if your dog’s head is hot? You must avoid strenuous exercise and give your dog sufficient rest and sleep.

Prevention Strategies for a Hot Head in Dogs

There are ways to prevent a hot head for your dog as follows:

Avoid excessive direct sunlight: Leaving your dog excessively in direct sunlight can make your dog’s head feel hot. You should be cautious, especially during a very hot day.
Avoid exercising during hot days: Limit the dog’s exercise during hot weather conditions. Alternatively, you can make your dog exercise during early morning or late evenings (whenever it is cooler).
Cut hair regularly: If your dog has excessive or long hair, it eventually makes it feel warm and uncomfortable. Therefore, trim your dog’s coat regularly as per the requirement.
Provide sufficient water: Your dog needs water to maintain its natural cooling process and hydration. Thus, provide fresh water to have a healthy dog.
Utilize cooling products: You can use cooling products to regulate your pup’s body temperature. They are mats, vests, and bandanas that make it feel cooler.
Please do not leave a dog in a parked car or go on long rides: When a vehicle is parked too long, the air around it turns hotter. In addition, if your dog has a longer car ride, it may turn anxious. Therefore, don’t let your furry friend stay or travel in your vehicle too long.

When to Consult the Veterinarian?

You should immediately consult your vet if your dog has a hot head. Delaying to seek medical attention may make your dog’s condition severe, whether it has an allergic reaction, fever, or any other signs.

You can try the home remedies if your dog’s head is hot. However, if the condition lasts longer, it would be best to seek a veterinarian’s medical attention.

Other guides and tools you might need when training your dog:

Final Thoughts

Your dog may have a hot head for a simple reason like stress or a severe condition like an autoimmune disorder (discussed above).

Therefore, as dog owners, you must learn the symptoms and how to treat each disease to avoid your dog’s head turning hot.

We hope our guide helps you to take good care of your furry friend!

FAQs

You can determine if your dog has a fever by observing symptoms like shivering, red eyes, panting, a warm dry nose, decreased appetite, low energy, and coughing.

Yes, you should be worried if your dog’s head feels hot and should consult a veterinarian for medical advice.

Yes, a dog’s fever can go away on its own if its immune system is strong enough to fight against the fever.

To treat your dog’s fever at home, you can apply cooling compressions, regulate their body temperature, and make sure they have adequate water.

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