Pet Temperature Converter (°C ↔ °F) with Fever Flags
Convert pet body temperature between Celsius and Fahrenheit with species-specific clinical context. Normal range comparison flags fever or hypothermia automatically for dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits.
Convert
Temperature in °C
Patient species (for normal-range context)
How to use this tool
Normal rectal temperatures
Dog and cat: 38.3–39.2 °C (101–102.5 °F). Anything ≥ 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) in a calm patient = fever.
Horse: 37.2–38.3 °C (99–101 °F). Lower range than small animals - fever threshold is 38.5 °C (101.3 °F).
Rabbit: 38.5–40.0 °C (101.3–104 °F). Rabbits run warm normally - fever ≥ 40.2 °C (104.4 °F).
Stress vs. real fever
Cats and small dogs in clinic can briefly push body temperature up by 0.5–1.0 °C due to stress. A single reading on a scared patient isn\'t diagnostic. Re-check after the patient settles, or ask the owner to take a home temperature in a calm environment.
Why hypothermia matters
A body temperature below the lower normal range in a previously healthy patient is a red flag - especially in cats with severe illness (sepsis, end-stage CHF, advanced renal failure all suppress thermoregulation). Warm the patient and work the case urgently.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal body temperature for a dog?
38.3-39.2 °C (101-102.5 °F) rectally. Anything ≥ 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) in a calm patient is fever.
Is 39 °C a fever in a cat?
No - 39 °C (102.2 °F) is within the normal feline range (38.1-39.2 °C). Fever in cats starts at ≥ 39.5 °C (103.1 °F). Stress in clinic can briefly push temperature up by 0.5-1.0 °C - re-check after the cat settles.
How do I convert °C to °F?
Multiply °C by 9, divide by 5, add 32. Example: 38.5 °C × 9 = 346.5; ÷ 5 = 69.3; + 32 = 101.3 °F.