Taking the temperature of the pet thermometer market
The pet care field is now extending into thermometers as conscientious owners are increasingly keen to monitor the health of their furry companions at home.
Changes in how owners care for their pets and increased awareness of the importance of keeping an eye on animal health are expanding the availability of medical devices such as thermometers in the pet care market.
A new approach
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted how pet healthcare is delivered. In combination with opportunities made possible by the internet, there has been a rise in online veterinary visits. Consultations can now be carried out online using video rather than face-to-face appointments, and the sharing of images and symptoms can often enable a vet to make a diagnosis remotely.
For a virtual vet consultation to be successful, the data provided by the client needs to be as accurate as possible, which is one reason pet owners are beginning to choose high-quality, veterinary-approved thermometers.
Digital accuracy
The global pet thermometer market encompasses a range of temperature monitoring tools, including infrared thermometers, wearable devices, digital ear and rectal thermometers and contactless thermometers.
Digital thermometers dominate the market. They’re estimated to make up over half the selection and are widely considered the most accurate option when used properly.
iProven is leading the way in digital thermometers for pets due to its ease of use, accuracy and price point. At less than $20 (€18.44), this rectal thermometer is affordable for most pet owners and has a flexible tip to make using it a more comfortable experience for cats and dogs. This thermometer is also fast, delivering a result in just 20 seconds.
Ear thermometers
Ear thermometers, such as the one produced by ICARE-PET, use infrared technology to measure an animal’s temperature. They are generally more expensive than digital rectal thermometers, but they are not always as reliable.
To gain an accurate reading, an aural thermometer needs to be inserted close to the eardrum, which can be difficult, especially in the presence of hair, wax and debris in the ear canal.
For owners who don’t feel confident taking their pet’s temperature with a rectal or ear thermometer, there are non-contact devices, such as the one produced by PetMedics, that can be used by pointing the device onto the stomach area. However, these are generally not as accurate as internal thermometers and may not be reliable enough to inform a vet’s examination.
A study published in August 2023 by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-LA Crosse (UWL) compared the use of underarm thermometers with rectal thermometers in cats and dogs. It concluded that axillary (armpit) temperature readings were quicker to obtain and required less restraint from vets – however, the findings did not mention comparable accuracy.
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