Numerous situations can arise that make it necessary for a dog owner to measure their dog’s heart rate or respiratory rate at home. Veterinarians may even recommend taking these measurements on a daily basis during the treatment of some medical conditions. Fortunately, it is usually a simple process.
Why Are These Measurements Needed?
The heart rate measures the number of times that a dog’s heart beats in one minute and likewise, a respiratory rate measure the number of breaths taken in one minute. In cases of chronic heart or respiratory diseases, veterinarians often recommend measuring a dog’s heart rate and respiratory rate at home when the dog is at rest. It is very common for a dog’s heart and respiratory rates to increase at the veterinary hospital if the dog is stressed or anxious. Resting measurements provide a far more useful tool in tracking changes with chronic diseases to determine if the medication doses are still effective and if the disease process has progressed. These measurements can also provide useful information in emergency situations.
Measuring the Heart Rate
A dog’s heart rate can most easily be felt by placing your hands low on a dog’s chest, typically near the elbow joint, to feel the heart beats. Count the number of beats that occur in 15 seconds and then multiply it by four. This provides the number of heart beats per minute.
Measuring a dog’s pulse is another way to track their heart rate. With each heartbeat, blood pulses through the arteries. Therefore, feeling this blood flow through the arteries provides an accurate measurement for the heart rate. A dog’s pulse can typically be felt on the inner side of the upper thigh over the femoral artery. Place two fingers on the inside of the thigh near where the leg joins the body. Take care not to press too firmly or too gently, as this makes it more difficult to feel the pulse. It is always best to use your fingers to feel the pulse. If you use your thumb and press too hard, you feel will actually be feeling your own pulse.
The heart rate of a dog is not always completely steady. Sometimes the rate changes slightly as a dog breathes in and out, causing the heart rate to be faster on inspiration and slower on expiration. This is normal and is called a sinus arrhythmia.
Measuring the Respiratory Rate
Resting respiratory rates should be measured when a dog is at rest or deeply sleeping. Avoid measuring the respiratory rate immediately after strenuous activity or any period of excitement, as this will cause it to be falsely elevated. Dogs that are twitching or dreaming are in a lighter plane of sleep that can lead to false increases in the respiratory rate. It is best to wait until they are sleeping more deeply without any other movements.
A breath includes two phases: an inspiratory phase (breathing in) and an expiratory phase (breathing out). When your dog is still and resting comfortably, or is in a deep plane of sleep, simply count the number of times their chest rises over a one minute period.
Normal Values
To make matters complicated, dogs do not have a one-size-fits-all normal heart rate value. Larger dogs typically have slower heart rates than small or toy breed dogs. Puppies have very fast heart rates relative to older, adult dogs. Average heart rates for adult dogs can range from 80 to 120 beats per minute.
At rest, a dog’s respiratory rate typically ranges from 15 to 25 breaths per minute. However, it is not outside of the realm of normal for the range to extend to 10 to 30 breaths per minute.
Should problems arise with your dog’s vital signs, never hesitate to contact your veterinarian.