Dog ears naturally feel warm as their body temperature is between 99.5- and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they shouldn’t feel too hot. It’s best to check your dog’s temperature if its ears feel warm. Also, keep an eye out for any other symptoms. If your dog‘s ears are unusually hot and you are unaware of the cause, call your vet right away.
Why are my dog’s ears so hot?
These are the top reasons your dog’s ears get hot.
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They have a fever
Your dog’s ears may become red hot if they have a high body temperature, whether it is from being sick or playing outside in the hot summer. It is common for dogs to reach over 103 degrees Celsius when they are taken by a rectal thermometer.
They may have been playing outside and are now feeling too hot. To cool them down, you can offer cool water and a fan. Their body temperature should drop to normal after about 30 minutes to 1 hour. The normal body temperature for dogs is 99.5 to 102.5 (39c to 39c).
It is best to take your dog to the vet if they are ill and have a fever. To determine the cause of your dog’s fever, you can have bloodwork done by your vet.
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They are allergic to something
Your dog may get hot ears from allergies. You may notice itchy ears, reddening, or hotness. They may be allergic to something or have had a bug or insect bite around their ears.
You may notice hives when your dog experiences severe allergic reactions. Your dog can be treated for allergies if its ears are red and itchy. If no discharge or smell is coming from the ears, you can try to treat them. Often, giving your dog, a vet-recommended medicine can help reduce inflammation and redness.
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Weather
Consider the weather if you feel your dog’s ears are feeling warm. A warm day with sunshine will cause your dog’s fur to absorb some warmth. This is especially true if the dog has dark fur. The warmth of their fur can be increased by even one minute in direct sunshine
You can bring them to a cool place, such as a fan or a mat to lay on. Then, you can see if they feel cooler. Check their ears once more to ensure they don’t feel too warm. You should not allow your dog to overheat. They could become dehydrated. You should not allow your dog to spend too much time in direct sunlight.
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Vaccination
Vaccinations can have side effects. Some dogs may experience some side effects from their vaccinations. For example, their ears could feel warmer due to a temperature rise. You should call your veterinarian if you notice this side effect.
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They have an ear infection
Dogs will spend more time outdoors or go swimming, which can cause moisture and water to build up in their ears. Your dog will get an ear infection from the heat and moisture. Ear infections in dogs can cause a dog to have hot ears and black-colored discharge. A fever is not common in dogs with ear infections. There are some things you can do to help your dog with an ear infection. You may need to visit your veterinarian for prescription antibiotics to be administered to severe cases.
What is the best way to treat a dog’s ear infection?
Sometimes, an ear infection in your dog is not something that should be considered a serious emergency. Unless your dog is in extreme pain or has blood coming out of its ears, it should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Due to discomfort, some dogs won’t eat or drink if they have an ear infection. If your dog has an ear infection, it is a good idea to visit your emergency vet.
Often, you can treat your dog’s ears by identifying the cause. You can identify the cause of your dog’s hot ears by looking for certain signs.
Does it feel normal for dogs to feel hot?
Dogs can become hot from overheating, exercise, or running a fever. Dogs don’t have sweat glands so they need to pant to cool down when it gets hot. If your dog feels hot, it should be monitored closely and contacted immediately by your vet.
Wrapping up
There are many reasons your dog’s ears may feel hot. After you rule out exercise, vaccination side effects, fever, infection, poisoning, allergy, or injury, there are still many options that could be causing your dog’s ears to become hot. These options can vary in severity and need medical attention. While some of these conditions can be treated at home with simple remedies, others will require you to visit your veterinarian for medication to treat your dog’s ears. Hot ears can be prevented by making sure your dog’s ears stay clean.