- This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
Your dog’s vital signs can give you important information about their well-being. Knowing the average dog heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature—and how to check your dog’s vital signs—can help you better understand their health.
A dog’s heart rate typically ranges between 70 and 140 beats per minute (bpm), or about 1-2 beats per second, says Dr Joanna Woodnutt, Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, founder and vet at Petlearnia.
If your dog’s heart seems to be beating a little fast, you likely don’t need to worry. As Dr Woodnutt explains, most dogs have a faster heart rate than people. That said, a dog’s heart rate will depend on their breed, size, and activity level.
Read on to learn the average dog heart rate by age and size, how to check heart rate and other vital signs at home, and when to consult a vet.
How To Check Your Dog’s Vital Signs At Home
You can check your dog’s vital signs at home once your vet confirms the normal rates for your dog, Dr Ostermeier says.
To get the most accurate information, your dog should be calm and resting.
Heart rate
To check your dog’s heart rate, you must locate their femoral artery. The femoral artery is higher on the inner thigh, where the inner thigh meets the abdomen.
Once you find their femoral artery, gently press with your fingertips and count the pulses for 15 seconds. Multiply the number of pulses by 4 to get their heart rate.
For example: If you count 20 pulses, their heart rate would be 80 bpm.
Respiratory rate
To determine respiratory rate, you’ll count your dog’s breaths by looking at the rise and fall of their chest. One rise and fall equals one breath.
Count the breaths in a 15-second period and multiply by 4 to get their respiratory rate.
For example: If you count six breaths, their respiratory rate is 24 breaths per minute.
Body temperature
Dr Ostermeier recommends using a digital rectal thermometer to check your dog’s body temperature. Many people prefer to use ear thermometers, but they’re not as accurate.
Use a digital thermometer with a flexible tip and apply a lubricant like petroleum jelly before placing it rectally. It can also help to have someone hold your dog and help them stay calm during the process.
Important: If you’ve never used a rectal thermometer for dogs, you may want to check with your vet and ask them to show you how before you try it at home.
What Is a Dog’s Normal Respiration Rate and Temperature?
Your dog’s respiration rate and body temperature can also give you important information about your dog’s health.
“The normal resting respiration rate for dogs is 12-24 breaths per minute, and the normal body temperature is 101-102.5°F,” says Dr Ostermeier.
Dr Ostermeier explains that an elevated resting respiration rate usually points to an underlying breathing issue, which can be caused by many different medical concerns.
Inflammation or infection can cause a high body temperature, while exposure to cold environments can cause hypothermia, or a low body temperature.
If your dog’s vital signs are high or low, your vet can offer more help with finding the cause and recommending the right treatment.
Average Dog Heart Rate By Age And Size
“Your dog’s heart rate is the number of times their heart beats per minute,” Dr Woodnutt says. “Heart rate tells us how efficiently blood and oxygen are moving through the body.”
The chart below can give you an idea of average, slow, and fast heart rates based on a dog’s age and size.
| Average heart rate | Slow heart rate when awake (bradycardia) | Fast heart rate (tachycardia) | |
| Puppy | 120-160 bpm | Below 60 bpm | Over 160 bpm |
| Small adult or senior dog | 90-150 bpm | Below 60 bpm | Over 180 bpm |
| Large adult or senior dog | 60-90 bpm | Below 60 bpm | Over 140 bpm |
Important: This chart shows averages only, and heart rate depends widely on individual factors from dog to dog. For example, a dog’s heart rate can reach as low as 20 bpm when they’re asleep, but a vet would only consider diagnosing bradycardia if the dog’s heart rate was below 60 bpm while they were awake.
It’s always best to talk to your vet if you have any questions about your dog’s heart rate, according to Dr Nell Ostermeier, veterinarian and spokesperson with Figo Pet Insurance.
Does breed affect heart rate?
Dog breed can affect heart rate since size affects this vital sign, Dr Woodnutt explains.
Smaller dogs tend to have a faster heart rate than larger dogs. So, while a resting heart rate of 150 bpm might be just fine for a small dog like a Chihuahua, this heart rate is high for a large dog like a Labrador Retriever.
Signs Of An Abnormal Heart Rate
If your dog has an abnormal heart rate, also known as arrhythmia, you might notice some changes in their activity or behaviour.
Symptoms they might have with a fast heart rate include:
- Becoming weak or tired with little exercise
- Little to no interest in going for walks or playing
- Shortness of breath or panting
- Weakness in back legs
Symptoms of a slow heart rate include:
- Moving slowly
- Seeming weak, tired, or confused
- Collapsing or fainting
Dogs of all ages and breeds can experience an abnormal heart rate. Arrhythmias can have several different causes.
Should I Check My Dog’s Vital Signs At Home?
You don’t need to check your dog’s heart rate and other vital signs all the time.
“You only need to check their heart and respiration rate if they have a specific medical concern or you notice unusual behaviour,” Dr Ostermeier explains. “If your dog is diagnosed with a heart condition or respiratory disease, your vet can advise you on how often to measure resting heart and respiratory rates.”
She goes on to say that you should only check your dog’s temperature if they’re lethargic or showing other clinical signs of illness, like vomiting or decreased appetite.
When To Ask A Vet About Your Dog’s Heart Rate
Dr Woodnutt recommends contacting your vet if your dog’s heart rate and other vital signs are lower or higher than their normal rate.
If your dog’s heart rate is abnormal because of a medical problem, you may also notice them breathing rapidly or struggling to breathe. They may also have abnormally coloured gums. These are signs of an emergency, so Dr Woodnutt suggests contacting the nearest open vet or pet hospital immediately.
