13 Reasons Your Dog’s Head Is Hot (Normal or Concerning?)

Dogs, a man’s best friend, are creatures that will do anything to protect their owners. However, it is normal that your dog may face some health issues while growing up, and it is also your duty to take care of your furry friend. The issues may include fever, infections, worms, and other types of viruses or diseases.

However, a common issue you may find with your dog is its head heating up. Today, we will show you the possible reasons why your dog’s head might be getting hot.

Figure: Dog with a hot head.

13 Reasons Why Your Dog’s Head is Heating Up

Your dog’s head may be getting hot for various causes, but here are 13 important to know reasons why it is happening:

1. Normal Body Temperature

A dog has a higher body temperature compared to humans. So, your dog’s head feeling warm to the touch is often normal. Dogs' normal body temperature ranges from 99.5°F to 102.5°F, which is higher than the typical human range. The head can feel warmer than other parts of the body as it has comparatively thin skin and the blood vessels are closer to the surface.

2. Recent Exercise or Play

Activities like playing and exercising increase body temperature in all living beings. When dogs are active, their body temperature rises, and this can be particularly noticeable in their heads. So, it is common for your dog's head to feel warm or hot, especially after recent exercise or play.

Figure: Dog Playing.

3. Lying Down on a Warm Spot

Lying down on a warm surface can also cause a feeling of warmth in your dog’s head area. When a dog lies down on a warm surface, their head may also feel warm due to heat transfer. Also, being covered in a blanket can cause a temporary increase in head warmth.

4. Excitement

When a dog is excited or engaged in activity, blood flow to the skin increases, including the head, leading to a warmer feeling. Their body temperature naturally increases, and the increased blood flow to their head can make the area feel warmer as the skin around that area is thin.

5. Stress

Stress and anxiety can cause your dog’s head to heat up. When your dog is stressed, its body releases hormones like adrenaline, which can cause blood vessels to become wider, leading to an increased blood flow and resulting in the head getting hot.

6. Mild Fever

Your dog’s head feeling hot can also be a sign of a mild fever. A fever in dogs is often a sign of infection or inflammation, but it can also be a side effect of vaccination or a reaction to a toxic substance. Check their temperature, check their nose and ears, and observe other symptoms like lethargy, low appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Figure: Dog with a fever.

7. Ear Infections

Ear infection can also be a reason for your dog’s head getting hot. A dog’s body's immune system reacts by increasing blood flow to the area to fight the ear infection. This increased blood flow leads to heat and warmth, making the ear and the surrounding head area feel hotter than usual. Check for redness, swelling, and discharge, and seek prompt veterinary care.

8. Dental Issues

Infected or fractured teeth, especially in the upper jaw, can lead to abscesses. These abscesses can cause heat, pain, and swelling, making the head feel warm. Untreated gum disease can also lead to inflammation and infection. Dental infections can spread to other parts of the head, like the sinuses or ears, further increasing the heat. It is important to treat dental issues as soon as possible.

9. Allergic Reactions

When skin irritation or infection is present around the skin area of your dog’s head, its head can get hot due to allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can lead to hot spots, which are particular areas of inflamed and infected skin, causing increased heat and discomfort in the head area. If you notice your dog's head feeling hot or other signs of an allergic reaction, it is important to consult with a veterinarian.

Figure: Allergy leading to hotspot.

10. Vaccines or Medications

Vaccines can trigger a low-grade fever as the body's immune system responds to the vaccine. This is usually a short-term reaction that resolves within 24-48 hours. Some medications, particularly those used to treat pain or inflammation, can cause a dog's body temperature to increase, leading to a warm head.

11. Overheating or Heatstroke

Your dog's body temperature may rise above normal due to hot weather, physical activity, or being in a confined space. Heatstroke is a severe form of overheating where the body's temperature control mechanisms fail, leading to a dangerously high body temperature. Symptoms of overheating and heatstroke are heavy panting, drooling, hot skin, red gums and tongue, weakness, and even collapsing.

12. Inflammation from Injury

Head injuries can lead to increased intracranial pressure, which can affect brain function and cause your dog to have difficulty regulating their body temperature, leading to fever or temperature abnormalities. Inflammation can cause the head to feel warmer than usual due to the increased blood flow and inflammatory response. It is important to treat these as early as possible to prevent complications.

13. Hormonal Changes or Illness

Hormonal imbalances like hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome can affect various bodily functions. This can result in your dog’s head getting hot. Various illnesses, like infections or inflammation, can cause fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms, including a warm head.

When Should You Worry and What To Watch Out For?

While your dog having a hot head can be normal, it may also indicate more serious issues that might worry you, and the dog might need attention. Here are a few things you should worry about and watch out for, described below:

• Higher Temperature: If the temperature is above 103°F (39.4°C), it is a cause for concern and requires immediate veterinary attention. If it’s over 104.5°F, it may indicate heatstroke or a severe infection and require immediate attention.
• Signs of Overheating: Excessive panting, drooling, bright red or pale gums, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, or collapsing are serious signs of heatstroke. Rapid, deep panting, Abnormal gum color, and warm ears or nose are signs of overheating. These need immediate cooling and veterinary care.
• Signs of Infection and Illness: Hot spots, redness, swelling, or discharge in the ears, along with fever, can indicate ear infections or other infections. If your dog is unusually sleepy or unmotivated and refuses to eat, these could be signs of illness. Watching after your dog and veterinary care are necessary in these cases.
• Pain or Discomfort: Crying, whimpering, or changes in behavior, like hiding or refusing to move, can be signs of discomfort. It can also indicate pain, which may be responsible for a warm head.
• Injury: If your dog has been recently injured around its head area, the head may be getting hotter than usual. You need to check thoroughly and seek veterinary attention if necessary, as injuries can be fatal at times.
• Shivering: Check to see if your dog is shivering when the weather or atmosphere is not cold. Shivering can be a sign of heat exhaustion, especially if the dog is not cold.

Figure: Veterinary care for a dog.

FAQ

Is it normal for a dog’s head to be hot while sleeping?

Yes, as dogs have a higher body temperature than humans, it is mostly normal for a dog's head to feel warm to the touch, especially while sleeping. However, you shall be concerned and take your dog to the vet if the temperature is above 103°F (39.4°C), as it is abnormally high even for dogs.

Can a human thermometer be used to measure”s the dog’s temperature?

Yes, you can use a human thermometer to measure a dog's body temperature, but not in the same way you would use them on a person. Never attempt to take a dog's temperature orally, as this is unsafe and can be harmful. 

The most accurate way to take a dog's temperature is rectally, and a digital human thermometer can be used for this purpose. You can also take your dog's approximate temperature under their armpit or ear, but this is not as precise as a rectal or ear reading, and it may require adding one degree to the reading.

But remember, it is important to use a separate thermometer for your dog, as using the same thermometer can cause cross-contamination and potential health risks.

When should I take my dog to the vet?

If you suspect a fever, while lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or coughing come along with it, you should take your dog to the vet, especially if their temperature is above 103°F. Temperatures above 104.5°F may indicate heatstroke or a severe infection, requiring immediate attention. 

If your dog is extremely lethargic, has blood in their stool or vomit, or stops eating, it is an emergency to seek immediate veterinary care. Also, watch out for increased allergic reactions, ear infections, and dental issues too.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, you can learn why your dog’s head is getting hot and how to take effective measures for it. Remember not to panic, as it is a common issue for all dogs while growing up, and may not be due to medical issues all the time. However, you shall be alert about when to watch out for serious issues and seek veterinary care if necessary.

Need more advice for maintaining your furry friend’s health? Stay with us for more information and further updates.