How to check your pet's vital signs
Normal heart rate, breathing rate, temperature and gum colour for dogs and cats — and how to measure them, so you can spot when something is wrong.
2 min read · 2 videos
Knowing what's normal for your pet makes it much easier to tell when something isn't — and helps you give a vet clear information over the phone. Practise these checks when your pet is calm and well.
Normal values at a glance
| Dogs | Cats | |
|---|---|---|
| Resting heart rate | 70–120 beats/min (small dogs faster) | 120–140 beats/min |
| Resting breathing rate | 18–34 breaths/min | 16–40 breaths/min |
| Temperature (rectal) | 37.5–39.2 °C | 38.1–39.2 °C |
| Gum colour | Salmon pink, moist | Pale pink, moist |
| Capillary refill | Under 2 seconds | Under 2 seconds |
These are guide ranges; your vet can tell you what's normal for your individual pet.
Heart rate and pulse
- Heartbeat: place your hand on the left side of the chest, just behind the point of the elbow.
- Pulse: feel on the inside of the upper back leg, where the leg meets the body (the femoral artery).
Count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply by four.
Breathing rate
Count each rise of the chest for 30 seconds while your pet is relaxed or asleep, then double it. A sleeping breathing rate that's consistently higher than normal can be an early sign of heart problems — worth mentioning to your vet.
Temperature
Use a digital thermometer with a little lubricant, inserted gently about 1–2 cm into the rectum. It's easier with a helper. Over 40 °C is an emergency in a dog — see our heatstroke guide.
Gum colour: what it can tell you
Lift the upper lip and look at the gums above the canine teeth:
- Salmon pink and moist — normal
- Pale or white — possible blood loss, anaemia or shock
- Blue or purple — not enough oxygen: emergency
- Bright red — possible heatstroke or poisoning
- Yellow — possible liver problems
- Muddy brown — possible paracetamol poisoning (especially cats)
- Dry or sticky — possible dehydration
Some breeds have naturally pigmented (dark) gums; check the inside of the lower eyelid instead.
Capillary refill time
Press a finger on the gum until it turns white, then let go. The pink colour should return in under two seconds. A slower return suggests poor circulation and needs urgent attention.
Make it routine
Run through these checks once a month and write down your pet's normal numbers. In an emergency, you'll know immediately what has changed.
More videos
Sources & further reading
- MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck & Co.) — resting heart rates
- MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck & Co.) — resting respiratory rates
- MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck & Co.) — normal rectal temperature ranges
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) — are my dog s gums pale
This guide is general information and not a substitute for advice from your vet. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact a vet immediately.
