Dog Heart Rates

Here you will find the average beats per minute based on the size (or age) of your dog.

Pet	Normal heart rate (bpm)
Puppies, up to 6 weeks	up to 200
Small dogs, up to 20lb (9.07kg)	70 - 180
Medium & large dogs	60 - 140

Dog Body Temperatures

The chart below will help you to determine an appropriate course of action is needed (if any) after taking your pets temperature, usually performed with a rectal thermometer.

Temperature	What Does this Mean?	Call the Vet?
106°F (41.1°C) or higher	Emergency! Cool your pet	YES, Immediately.
105°F (40.5°C)	High fever	YES, the same day
104°F (40°C)	Moderate fever	YES
103°F (39.4°C)	Moderate fever	YES
102°F (38.8°C)	Normal Range	NO
101°F (38.3°C)	Normal Range	NO
100°F (37.7°C)	Normal Range	NO
99°F (37.2°C)	Normal Range	NO
99-95°F (37.2-35°C)	Mild hypothermia	YES, the same day
Below 95°F (35°C)	Emergency! Warm your pet	YES, immediately.

Mucous Membrane Colors (gums)

Veterinarians use the color of the mucus membranes to attain an immediate measure of your pet’t health. While this is not specifically a scientific measurement of health, the color of your pets gums can help to identify that a problem exists.

Membrane Color	What it means	Call the Vet?
Pink	Normal	NO
Pale to white	Anemia or shock	YES, Immediately
Blue	Smoke inhalation or suffocation	YES, Immediately
Bright cherry red	Carbon monoxide poisoning or heatstroke	YES, Immediately
Yellow	Liver problems	YES, Immediately

Capillary Refill Time

Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that lie near the surface of the skin. They are easiest to see in your pet’s gums, above his teeth. You can judge the condition of your pet’s blood circulation by performing a capillary refill test.

To perform this test: 1. Lift your pet’s upper lip, then press the flat of your finger against the non-pigmented (no color) pink gum tissue 2. Quickly release the pressure and use the second hand of a watch to count the time it takes for the gum color to return to normal in the area. This is your capillary refill time.

Capillary Refill Time	What it Means	Call the Vet?
Less than 1 second	Emergency! Severe problems - heatstroke, shock	YES
1 - 2 seconds	Normal	NO
2 - 4 seconds	Moderate to poor - possible dehydration or shock	YES
More than 4 seconds	Emergency! Severe problems - dehydration, shock	YES

Monitoring Breathing

When your pet is at rest, anything other than quiet, effortless breathing may require medical attention and possibly artificial respiration.

Respiratory Signs	What they Mean	Call the Vet?
Effortless breathing, quiet to soundless	Normal	NO
Increased Respiratory rate	First sign of breathing problems	YES, immediately, if the condition is getting worse. If respiratory rate is increased but the problem is not worsening, call the same day.
Excessive panting or gasping - dogs stand with elbows outward, cats sit crouched with head and neck extended	Emergency! Progression to early respiratory failure.	YES, immediately
Labored, open-mouthed breathing and blue gums	Emergency! Pulmonary failure - the pet is suffocating	YES, immediately
Slowed, shallow, or stopped breathing, unconsciousness imminent	Emergency! Respiratory collapse - prepare for artificial respiration	YES, immediately

Gauging Responsiveness

Healthy pets are alert and responsive to whatever is currently happening in their surroundings. If there is a problem, the level of responsiveness will help you to determine the severity of the condition.

Level of Consciousness	What it Means	Call the Vet?
Alert and responsive to owner and outside stimulation - if you call your pet for a treat, he should respond	Normal	NO
Depressed - response is slow to sight or touch stimulation - the pet may be sleepy or reluctant to move	Common to many illnesses	YES, the next day if the condition doesn't resolve with first aid
Disoriented - the pet bumps into objects, stares blindly, walks with an unsteady gait or in circles, and/or falls over to one side	Possibly neurologic or inner ear involvement	YES, same day
Stupor - can be aroused only by deep pain stimulation (ie: pinched toes)	Neurologic or metabolic problem - serious	YES, immediately
Comatose (unable to wake) or having seizures	Emergency! Severe neurologic damage or disruption from injury, disease, or toxin	YES, immediately