It’s usually easy to tell when your little furball isn’t feeling well, but sometimes it’s difficult to tell what’s wrong. Checking your dog’s pulse and Vital Signs can help you determine what is wrong with your pup, and what you need to do to fix it. In this article, we explore how to check a dog’s pulse and other vital signs, and we tell you what normal vital signs look like.
Heart rate
A dog’s heart Rate says a lot about their overall health.
In general, a healthy dog will have a slower Heart Rate than a less healthy dog. However, this range greatly depends on their size and breed as well.
How to check a dog’s pulse rate
Check your dog’s pulse while they are resting, not right after exercising.
Put your hand on the dog’s chest until you can feel their heartbeat.
If you’re unable to feel their heartbeat, you can also check their pulse on their inner thigh on their femoral artery.
Count the number of beats you hear in 15 seconds.
Multiply that number by 4 to get beats per minute.
Example: you put your hand on your corgi’s chest. In a 15 second period, you count 20 heart beats. 25 multiplied by 4 equals 100 beats per minute (bpm).
Normal range for dog’s heart rate
The normal range for a dog’s heart rate varies greatly on their activity level and size. According to the ASPCA, normal heartbeat ranges are:
Small dogs: 90-120 bpm
Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm
Large dogs: 60-90 bpm
Heart rates above the normal usually indicate poor cardiac health. Dogs with a high resting heart rate can usually decrease their heart rate by getting more exercise and eating better.
Respiratory rate
Respiratory rate, or breathing rate, is how fast your dog is taking breaths.
Dogs with good lung and respiratory health take fewer breaths than dogs with respiratory issues.
How to measure dog’s respiratory rate
Pick a time they are resting. Not right after exercising.
Count the number of breaths your dog takes in 30 seconds.
Multiply that number by 2 to get breathing rate.
Example: you watch your boz shepherd breathe. It takes 10 breaths in 30 seconds. 10 multiplied by 2 equals 20 breaths per minute.
Normal breathing rate for dogs
Respiratory rate for healthy dogs is between 18 and 24 breaths per minute. Like heart rate, respiratory rate depends on the dog’s size and breed as well.
If your dog has a higher rate than this, they could be having difficulty breathing.
Body temperature
Body temperature is a good indicator of a dog’s overall health.
Dogs with a high body temperature can be suffering from illness, fevers or infection.
How to check your dog’s body temperature
A dog’s body temperature can be tested orally, but using a rectal thermometer is much more accurate. To test a dog’s temperature with a rectal thermometer, you should:
Lubricate the end of the thermometer with some water soluble petroleum jelly.
Distract your dog with a treat or toy while they are standing. If your dog is particularly feisty, you may want a partner to help hold them in place.
Slowly lift the tail and insert the thermometer 1/2″ to 1″ into their rectum.
Wait for the thermometer to beep and register the temperature per its instructions.
If the idea of using a rectal thermometer makes you or your dog uncomfortable, you can also use a digital ear thermometer to test from a safe distance.
If you do choose to use the rectal thermometer, make sure you keep it in a separate place from your personal thermometer. You don’t want to mix them up by accident!
Normal dog’s temperature
A dog’s normal body temperature is between 100 degrees and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your dog has a higher or lower temperature than this range, give your vet a call right away.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is an important part of a dog’s health and wellbeing. Like humans, a dog’s body weight is mostly water, so they need to drink plenty of it to stay healthy.
How to measure a dog’s hydration
The test for hydration requires high-tech equipment to accurately test, but we can do some quick-and-easy tests at home to get a general idea of their hydration levels.
Pull the dog’s top lip up at the side of the mouth.
If the gums are wet and sloppy, your dog is properly hydrated.
If the gums are dry and sticky, your dog is dehydrated. You should give them some water right away.
If your dog’s gums are dry and sticky, their eyes are sunken back, and they are feeling lethargic, they are extremely dehydrated, and you should take them to get veterinary care right away.
Normal hydration rates for dogs
A dog’s body should be 70% water by weight. But this can only be accurately determined by using fancy equipment.
As a general guide, your dog’s gums should be wet, pink and covered in slobber.
Capillary refill time (CRT)
The capillary refill time (CRT) is used the check your dog’s circulation.
When your dog’s CRT is slow, it could indicate an injury or severe dehydration.
How to measure CRT (capillary refill time)
Lift your dog’s upper lip on the side of their mouth.
Press gently on the top gum above their teeth until the gum turns white.
When you release the pressure, your dog’s gums should return to their normal color in 1-2 seconds.
Normal range for CRT
Blood normally returns to a dog’s gums within 1 or 2 seconds.
If it takes longer than that, you need to take your dog to the vet immediately. This slow capillary fill rate can make it difficult to get blood to their legs and vital organs.
It also means that your dog could be experiencing blood loss. Cover your dog with a blanket and raise their legs as you drive them to the veterinarian.
Conclusion
A dog’s vital signs tell us a lot about their health. A dog’s heartbeat and a dog’s normal respiratory rate give us an indication of their overall fitness level while body temperature, hydration, and CRT tell us more about their possible ailments. Knowing how to check a dog’s vital signs is an important thing for any responsible pet owner to learn.
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