There are many reasons for pet owners to have a thermometer designated just for their pets. For many pet owners, knowing their pet’s baseline temperature helps to easily recognize a higher-than-normal temperature that requires a visit to the vet. For other owners, just having a thermometer on hand in case of an emergency helps ease any concerns they may have about their animal suddenly falling ill.

If you’ve never purchased a pet thermometer in your life, we’ve compiled a list of reviews of the best thermometers of the year to help you make the right choice for you and your pet.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

The 6 Best Dog Thermometers Are

1. Vet-Temp Rapid Flexible Digital Pet Thermometer – Best Overall

The Vet-Temp Rapid Flexible Digital Dog & Cat Thermometer rates our best overall dog thermometer because of its easy-to-use features. The thermometer has a flexible tip to maximize the comfort of your pet when their temperature is being taken. It has an LCD screen for you to receive accurate results within 12 to 15 seconds. This flexible thermometer only measures temperature in Fahrenheit. The battery is also changeable, so you’ll be able to get it replaced when the time comes.

When you first turn on your Vet-Temp Rapid Flexible Digital Dog & Cat Thermometer, you’ll see that it reads “LO”. This means that the current temperature it is measuring is below its normal range. Once you follow the directions and insert the thermometer, you will get an accurate reading of your pet’s temperature.

A small drawback of this thermometer is that, while the battery is changeable, it’s small and needs to be properly replaced by the manufacturer. The life span of the battery is good for over 20,000 instances of temperature taking, with a long shelf life of 10 years.

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2. Vet-Temp Rapid Digital Dog Thermometer – Best Value

Vet-Temp Rapid Digital Dog & Cat Thermometer is the best dog thermometer for the money. This rapid digital thermometer has a straight firm tip that slides easily into the rectum. It is easy to use and measures the temperature of your pet in less than 15 seconds. The thermometer has the option for the temperature to be read in both Celsius and Fahrenheit on the easy-to-read LCD screen. When the battery gets low, it can be changed, but the thermometer needs to be sent back to the manufacturer to be changed properly.

Vet-Temp Rapid Digital Dog & Cat Thermometer can also be used on other small household pets, such as chinchillas, guinea pigs, and rabbits.

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3. Pet-Temp Instant Pet Ear Thermometer – Premium Choice

The Pet-Temp Instant Pet Ear Thermometer is our premium choice for the best dog thermometer. Many dogs will run the other way when they see the thermometer because they don’t want it stuck in their rectum. The Pet-Temp Instant Ear Thermometer helps you take your pet’s temperature easily with a quick extension of the temperature wand, placing the tip in the horizontal ear canal. You will need to gently pull the outside of the ear to push the tip lightly into the ear canal, so that it points toward the opposite jaw.

This thermometer can also be used on cats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and more.

The Pet-Temp Instant Pet Ear Thermometer’s battery is good for five years, but it will need to be returned to the manufacturer to be replaced at that time. The thermometer beeps when the temperature is done being taken, so dogs that are jumpy around sounds may be scared of the beeping noise so close to their ear.

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4. iProven Pet Thermometer -Best for Puppies

While the iProven Pet Thermometer is good for pets of all ages, it is our choice for the best dog thermometer for puppies. This brightly colored thermometer has a flexible rubber tip designed for rectal use, so your wiggling puppy will still be comfortable while having its temperature taken. The device has an LCD for easy temperature readout, and you’ll get your results in 20 seconds.

The iProven Pet Thermometer is also waterproof and can be submerged in lukewarm water for easy cleanup. This thermometer also has a “LO” setting when you turn it on, which means that it’s reading the air around you and is too low for an accurate reading, not that it has a low battery. The company offers a 100-day full refund policy if you’re not 100% satisfied with your purchase.

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5. AURYNNS Pet Thermometer

AURYNNS Pet Thermometer is a fast digital thermometer that can be used on all pets, from cats to dogs to horses, and every pet in between. It’s a rectal thermometer measuring the temperature of your pet to within +/- .02°F accuracy. There’s an LCD for easy reading, as well as a memory function, and the ability to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit readings. Your pet’s temperature can be read within six seconds if the temperature is steady. After two minutes of non-operation, it will shut off automatically.

AURYNNS Pet Thermometer comes with a manual, as well as two AAA batteries, so you won’t need to send this one off to the manufacturer to get the battery changed. This thermometer is not waterproof or flexible, and the temperature taking time may vary based on the animal.

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6. PetMedics Non-Contact Digital Pet Thermometer for Dogs

The PetMedics Non-Contact Digital Pet Thermometer for Dogs is an infrared thermometer that will help pet owners take the temperature of even the most reluctant of pets. The thermometer is easy to operate. Simply turn it on and point it at the inner ear, or your dog’s belly (note: areas with little body hair work best), and you will have your pet’s temperature.

It has a Dog Body Temp Guide printed right on the thermometer. The LCD lights up green when your dog’s body is at normal temperature, yellow when it needs to be monitored, and red when it’s too low or too high. The memory stores the last thirty temperatures, and it also has a silent button so you can avoid the result’s beep if your dog fears noise.

The PetMedics Non-Contact Digital Pet Thermometer is only calculated to dog’s body temperatures and will not work on other pets. Some owners may also find it difficult to get an accurate body temperature reading if their pet is very hairy.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Thermometer

There are a few things to think about when you’re considering what type of thermometer to buy for your canine companion. Dog’s temperatures can’t be taken orally, so using a rectal, ear, or infrared thermometer is the best way to take your pet’s temperature.

Purchasing the right type of thermometer for your pet’s needs will go a long way towards helping them become comfortable with having their temperature taken regularly. Other things to consider when purchasing a thermometer include its cost and how easy it is to use.

Below, we will break down the types of thermometers, how they are used, as well as their typical costs.

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Thermometer Types

Rectal Thermometers

These are the most common types of thermometers on the market for use with your pet, and are typically the cheapest. You will need to use vaseline or another lubricant on the tip before inserting it directly into your pet’s rectum.

As our furry friends are, understandably, not big fans of this method of temperature taking, speed and accuracy are very important when choosing a rectal thermometer. If you know your pet is going to try to wiggle away, you should choose a thermometer that has a short temperature readout time. A rectal thermometer with a flexible rubber tip will likely help ease some of your pet’s anxiety as it won’t feel as hard and foreign.

Many rectal thermometers come with an LCD screen, so you can easily read the temperature. Taking your pet’s temperature by way of their rectum may seem daunting to you, but this method usually gives the most accurate readings, and is considered the current standard within veterinary care.

Ear Thermometer

An ear thermometer is a handy alternative for pets that will not allow their temperature to be taken through the rectum. This type of thermometer usually costs more than a rectal thermometer, but for many owners with scared pets, it’s well worth the price.

To accurately use this thermometer, you will need to pull the ear out a little and insert the tip into the ear canal towards the opposite jaw. This may take a little getting used to for some pets, however, ear thermometers are supposed to take a temperature in just a few seconds. Keep in mind that it may be difficult at first to get accurate readings using this method if you’re not used to taking your pet’s temperature this way.

Infrared Thermometer

The infrared thermometer is a newer type of animal thermometer that measures your pet’s surface temperature without touching your pet’s skin. These thermometers also tend to cost more than the traditional rectal thermometer but are very useful for dogs that do not want anything coming near their rectums or other body parts.

While there is documented success with using these types of thermometers in humans, this is still a relatively new method of taking an animal’s temperature, and it can vary wildly based on the area of the body you’re trying to use. These types of thermometers usually work best on less hairy areas of your dog—namely the interior surface of their ear, or on their belly.

Conclusion

The Vet-Temp Rapid Flexible Digital Dog & Cat Thermometer is the best overall dog thermometer on our list because of its flexible tip, LCD screen, and long battery life.

For pet owners looking for a firm tip, the Vet-Temp Rapid Digital Dog & Cat Thermometer is our best value choice because it takes your pet’s temperature in less than 15 seconds, and reads it in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.

The Pet-Temp Instant Pet Ear Thermometer is our premium choice because it offers gentle, ear canal readings for pets that don’t like having their temperatures taken in the rectum.

We hope that our reviews for the best dog thermometers help you make the right choice for your and your favorite canine companion.

See also:

• 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds
• How Long Will It Take for Dogs to Mate? Mating Process & Considerations

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Featured Image Credit: Olga Anikina, Shutterstock