Dog forehead hot? Quick guide to causes and solutions

Okay, so yesterday I noticed something weird about my dog, Buster. His forehead felt kinda hot. I mean, not like burning up, but definitely warmer than usual. This immediately sent me spiraling down a Google rabbit hole – "why is my dog's forehead hot?"

First thing I did, obviously, was try to remember if he'd been napping in the sun. He loves doing that, sprawling out on the patio like he owns the place. Nope, it was a cloudy day. Okay, scratch that theory.

Next, I started feeling around. You know, the ears, paws, tummy. Just trying to get a general sense of whether he felt hot all over or just on his forehead. Everything else seemed normal temperature-wise.

Then I thought, "Maybe he's just stressed?" We had taken him to the dog park earlier that day, and sometimes those interactions can be a bit much for him. So I tried to create a calm environment. Dimmed the lights, gave him a favorite chew toy, you know, the whole shebang.

That didn't seem to do the trick. His forehead was still warm. So, I figured it was time to take his temperature. Now, I don’t have a fancy dog thermometer, but I did have a regular digital one. Let me tell you, trying to get a dog to hold still with a thermometer is no easy feat! But after some coaxing (and a lot of treats), I managed to get a reading.

The thermometer read 102.8°F. Okay, that's a bit high. Normal dog temperature is usually between 101°F and 102.5°F. Not crazy high, but definitely worth keeping an eye on.

• Gave him fresh, cool water: Made sure he was well-hydrated.
• Monitored his behavior: Was he eating? Drinking? Playing? Seemed mostly normal, just a little more lethargic than usual.

I decided to wait it out a few hours and check his temperature again. By evening, it was down to 102.3°F. Still a tad elevated, but trending in the right direction. He also seemed a bit more like himself.

This morning, his forehead felt normal! Temperature was back in the normal range. He was eating, playing, and being his usual goofy self.

So, what did I learn from this whole ordeal?

• Don't panic at the first sign of something unusual.
• Take your dog's temperature if you're concerned.
• Monitor their behavior closely.

And most importantly, trust your gut. If something seems off, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If his temperature hadn't come down, I would have definitely taken him to the vet. Glad I didn’t have to! Hope this helps if you ever find yourself in a similar situation!