Every pet is unique. Because of this, it is important to establish your pet's baseline — what their normal is.
Your pet's vital signs are helpful indicators of their health. You can check them easily at home and keep a record of what their normal is. If, at any time, their vitals deviate from their normal, then you should seek veterinary care to get to the route of the problem and treat it as soon as possible.
If you are taking your pet’s temperature rectally, you will need someone to hold your pet, and use a digital thermometer and some lube.
Note: Do not attempt to take your cat’s temperature alone, as this could result in injury to you both. Wrapping your cat in a towel can help protect you from getting scratched and help to calm your cat. This video demonstrates how to wrap your cat.
While someone is securely holding your dog (as shown in this video), gently lift their tail and insert the lubricated tip about ¾ an inch into the anus. Turn the thermometer on, and do not remove it until it beeps.
The concept is the same for cats as it is for dogs. Here is a video demonstrating the procedure on cats.
If you prefer not to use a rectal thermometer, which is understandable if you don't have anyone to help you, then you can use the Mella Thermometer, which is a non-invasive armpit thermometer. This thermometer is backed by studies as being as accurate as a rectal thermometer. Watch this video to learn how to take your pet’s temperature using this type of thermometer.
A dog's normal body temperature is between 101.0°F to 102.5°F (38.3° C and 39.2° C). There can be some slight variation from day to day. For some dogs, a temperature of 100°F can be normal.
A cat's normal body temperature is between 100.5° F and 102.5° F (38.1° C and 39.2° C).
Temperatures below 99°F are abnormal and require prompt medical care.
Your pet has a fever if their temperature is above 103°F.
A temperature above 105°F is a medical emergency.
While your pet is calm and at rest, ideally when sleeping, watch their chest as it moves up and down. The movement up and down counts as one breath.
Count the number of breaths in a 15-second interval and multiply it by 4. This equals your pet’s breaths per minute.
Your pet’s respiratory rate will be elevated if they are hot, stressed, anxious, or active. To be sure that one of these is the cause, reassess their respiratory rate a few times over a few hours to see if it is still elevated.
15–30 breaths per minute
NOTE: It can be normal for some dogs to be as low as 12 breaths per minute.
20–30 breaths per minute
More than 40 breaths per minute while they are resting is cause for concern, so seek veterinary care right away.
Continually having more than 30 breaths per minute is considered increased, and you should seek veterinary evaluation and care.
Low rates generally are not a concern if your pet is healthy. But if your pet is acting abnormal in any manner and/or has an underlying medical issue, such as heart disease, then it is a concern.
For a bit more information on respiratory rate, check out this Texas A&M document.
To assess your pet's heart rate, they need to be calm, resting, and ideally not stressed.
There are two ways to take your pet's pulse, either from their chest or their leg. Either one works; it's based on your preference for which one to use.
Place your hand on your pet's chest at the point where the elbow meets it. You may have to slide your hand slightly forward and/or down depending on how deep your pet’s chest is (especially for dogs). Then count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply that number by 4 and that is your pet's heart rate in beats per minute.
Note: If you are using a stethoscope, you will use this location. Learn how to use a stethoscope to hear the heart.
Gently place the tips of your fingers on the inside of your pet’s rear leg about mid-thigh and feel for their femoral pulse. You may have to move your fingers slightly closer to where the leg meets the body and press slightly firmer depending on your pet's body conformation and weight. Count the number of pulses you feel in 15 seconds. Multiply that number by 4 to get your pet’s heart rate in beats per minute.
Watch this video to see where you place your hands on the leg to take your pet's pulse.
A dog’s ‘normal’ heart rate is affected by their size, age, and fitness level. A slower resting heart rate is normal for athletic dogs while an increased rate is observed in overweight dogs or those with heart disease.
Puppies:
Toy breeds: 100 to 160 beats per minute
Small dogs: 90 to 140 beats per minute
Medium dogs: 70 to 110 beats per minute
Large dogs: 60 to 90 beats per minutes
Note: The heart rate is generally lower for healthy dogs versus unhealthy dogs. Exercise will increase a puppy’s heart rate, and it will be slower after a nap. Athletic dogs can have a normal resting heart rate as low as 50 beats per minute.
120 to 200 beats per minute
Note: For some cats, a normal resting heart rate at home may be slightly lower.
Resting heart rates less than 80 beats per minute for cats and small dogs and less than 60 beats per minute for large dogs are abnormal and require medical attention. Low heart rates can indicate heart or blood pressure issues, hypothermia, hormone issues, or toxin exposure.
Resting heart rates over 140 beats per minute for cats and small dogs and over 100 beats per minute for large dogs is considered abnormal. An increased heart rate can indicate fear, excitement, pain, heart issues, blood loss, dehydration, hormone issues, hyperthermia, or toxin exposure.
Resting heart rates over 220 beats per minute is abnormal. An elevated heart rate may indicate congestive heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia, pain, stress, hyperthyroidism, fever, respiratory disease, metabolic disease, and more.
How to Assess Mucous MembranesIn order to establish your pet’s ‘normal’ you should assess your pet’s mucous membranes when they are healthy, well hydrated, and rested. You can assess mucous membranes by checking their gums, inner cheeks, or conjunctiva (underside of the eyelids).
Abnormal mucous membrane color can indicate a variety of health issues. For example, if the mucous membrane is pale, it may indicate that your pet is losing blood or they are in shock. On the other hand, a brick red mucous membrane can indicate your pet had a heatstroke or is septic. Additionally, other conditions such as anemia, heart disease, toxicosis, or other diseases can alter the color of the mucous membranes. Therefore, anytime there is a variation from normal, it is important to seek veterinary care for your pet.
The easiest method is to lift their lip and look at the MM over the canine tooth. If your pet doesn’t like their mouth touched, you can gently lower their lower eyelid to assess color. DO NOT stick your finger in their eye to assess moisture.
Note: If their eyes appear sunken, they are dehydrated. See the next two sections on other ways to test hydration.
Healthy MM are pink and moist. Variations from this can indicate a medical issue.
Note: Color can vary between dog breeds, naturally darker for some versus others, so know what is considered healthy for your dog’s breed. Assessing MM in Chow Chows’ mouth can be tricky due to the black pigmentation.
If your pet’s MM are pale, red, yellow, purple/blue, or have reddish dots, seek medical attention immediately.
Tacky or dry MM can indicate dehydration.
The capillary refill time assesses your pet’s circulatory system.
Gently lift your pet’s lip, then gently press on the gum tissue above the canine tooth until it blanches or turns white. Lift your finger and count how long it takes for the color to return. See how it's done in this video.
Color should return in less than 2 seconds.
Greater then 2 seconds can indicate a medical issue such as cardiac or vascular problem, shock, low body temperature (hypothermia), and dehydration.
In addition to assessing the mucous membrane and the Capillary Refill (sections above), you can test hydration using the skin tent method.
To perform the skin tent test, gently lift the skin at your pet’s shoulder blades straight up. When you release the skin, it should snap back into place quickly if they are hydrated. If there is a delay, this may indicate your pet is dehydrated. Watch the video below to learn about the skin tent test.
Note: If your pet’s eyes appear sunken, they are SEVERELY dehydrated and need immediate medical attention.
