How to check a pet's pulse and breathing rate
Find the femoral pulse high on the inner thigh; count breaths by watching the chest for 30 seconds and doubling — establish normal numbers for your pet on a calm day before you need them in an emergency.
Recognise the signs
- Pet seems unwell — lethargic, panting, or weak
- Breathing looks different from usual
- Gum colour change
- Recovery monitoring after illness or procedure
First aid steps
- Pulse: lay the pet on its side or stand calmly. Slide your hand high up the inside of the back leg, in the groin where the leg meets the body. Press lightly with two or three fingers (not thumb) until you feel a pulse beat. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4, or count for 30 seconds and double, for beats per minute.
- Breathing: watch the chest rise and fall when the pet is resting calmly (ideally asleep). Count rises (or falls — not both) for 30 seconds and double, or for a full minute. Open mouths in a panting dog complicate counting; aim for resting breathing.
- Capillary refill time: press a fingertip on the gum just above an upper canine tooth, release, count how long the colour returns. Under 2 seconds is normal.
- Note temperature, gum colour, mental state, and any other signs alongside pulse and breathing.
- Phone the vet with all the numbers if anything looks abnormal.
Do NOT
- Do not use your thumb to count pulse — your own thumb pulse interferes.
- Do not press too hard on the gum or pulse — gentle contact is enough.
- Do not count panting as breathing rate — wait for rest if possible.
- Do not panic at single odd readings — recheck calmly.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Pulse over 160 (large dog) / 180 (small dog) / 220 (cat) at rest
- Pulse under 60 (large dog) / 80 (small dog) / 120 (cat) at rest
- Resting respiratory rate over 35–40 in a dog or 30 in a cat
- Open-mouth breathing in a cat
- Capillary refill over 2 seconds
- Weak, irregular, or absent pulse
Common causes
- Suspected illness, shock, or collapse
- Heart disease monitoring at home
- Recovery from surgery or anaesthetic
- Pre-vet-call assessment when something seems off
- Establishing baseline for future reference
What the vet will need to know
- Pulse rate, breathing rate, gum colour, capillary refill time
- How the pet was at the time (resting, after activity, distressed)
- Other signs — temperature, lethargy, appetite
- Time of measurement
Aftercare
- Recheck if borderline and the pet is otherwise stable.
- Record readings for the vet.
- Establish a personal baseline by checking weekly on a calm day.
- Keep numbers in a note on your phone for emergencies.
Prevention
- Practice on a healthy day — much easier in a calm pet.
- Take a Pet First Aid course for hands-on practice.
- Make a habit of weekly resting respiratory rate checks for dogs with known heart disease — early indicator of decompensation.
Breed-specific notes
- Larger dogs typically have lower resting heart rates than smaller dogs.
- Cats run faster than dogs at all sizes; resting rates over 220 are concerning.
Frequently asked questions
What's a normal pulse rate for my dog or cat?
Roughly: large dogs 60–120 bpm, small dogs 80–160 bpm, cats 140–220 bpm — all at rest. Excitement, exertion, and stress raise the rate substantially. Establishing your own pet's resting baseline gives you a meaningful reference.
How fast should my pet breathe at rest?
10–30 breaths per minute for most dogs, 16–30 for cats. Resting respiratory rates consistently above 35 in dogs, or 30 in cats, are a strong sign of heart or lung trouble. Counting while the pet is asleep gives the cleanest reading.
Why does my vet ask me to count breaths at home?
Sleeping respiratory rate is one of the most sensitive indicators of heart failure decompensation. Owners of dogs with heart disease are often asked to check weekly and report rises — this catches problems days before clinical signs appear.