Normal Vital Signs for Your Pet
If our pets are lucky, they will only see a veterinarian a couple times a year.
While your pet is healthy, create a base-line set of vitals for your pet. Anything
outside of your pet’s “normal” range will alert you to problems that might need to
be addressed. If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable getting a base-line set of
vitals for your pet, consult your veterinarian for help.
Temperature: A normal temperature for a dog or cat will fall between 99* F
and 102* F.
Temperatures between 99* F and 95* F indicate mild hypothermia (low body
temperature). Below 95* F is a dire emergency. Hypothermia is a threat to your
pet. Seek veterinary care immediately.
Temperatures between 103* F and 104* F indicates moderate fever. 105* F
indicates high fever and temperatures over 106* F are an extreme emergency.
Seek veterinary care immediately.
Color of Skin and Gums: Skin tone can be hard to see because of
your pet’s fur. Veterinarians use the color of the lips and gums to determine a
pet’s health.
Pink is a normal gum tone. If your pet has pigmented black or brown gums, try to
locate a pink spot on the gums or lips to assess color.
Pale to white coloring indicate anemia or shock. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Blue coloring indicates a lack of oxygen such as smoke inhalation or suffocation.
Seek immediate veterinary care.
Bright cherry red coloring indicates carbon monoxide poisoning or heatstroke.
Seek immediate veterinary care.
Yellow coloring indicates liver problems. Seek veterinary care.
Capillary Refill Time: As with the skin/gum color, the easiest place to
check for capillary refill time is in the gums above the teeth in a “pink” area.
A Capillary refill time of 1-2 seconds is normal for cats and dogs.
2-4 seconds indicated a moderate to poor refill time. Call your veterinarian.
More than 4 seconds indicates an emergency. Your pet may be suffering
dehydration and shock. Call your veterinarian immediately.
With other abnormal symptoms, if your pet’s capillary refill is less than one
second, call your veterinarian. You pet may be suffering heatstroke and shock.
Dehydration: Your pet will have loose extra skin on the top of their head or
base of the neck. A normal water balance will allow the skin to spring back
immediately to a normal position when you gently pull up the scruff or the top of
the head.
The more severe the dehydration, the slower the skin will return to a normal
position. If the skin remains standing up in a ridge off the body after being
released, immediate first aid and veterinary care are required.
Heart/Pulse Rate: To check your pet’s heart rate, have the pet lie or sit in
a relaxed position. Place your hand over the left side directly behind the point of
the elbow. Feel for a heartbeat and count the pulses. Count the heartbeats for 15
seconds then multiply by 4.
Become familiar with the “feel” of your pet’s pulse. Irregular pulses can indicate
heart problems. Bounding or very weak pulses can indicate shock; weak heart
output or a drop in blood pressure. All these conditions require immediate
veterinarian care.
A small dog up to 20 pounds will have a normal pulse rate of 70-180 beats per
minute.
Medium to large dogs (over 20 pounds) will have normal pulses ranging 60-140
beats per minute.
Cats will have normal pulses ranging 120-240 beats per minute.
Puppies up to 6 weeks of age will have a normal pulse up to 220 beats per
minute.
Kittens up to 6 weeks of age will have normal pulses ranging from 200-300 beats
per minute.
Respiration Rate: Most dogs breathe 10-30 times a minute. Dogs who are
hot or exercising can breathe up to 200 times a minute. Most cats will breathe
10-40 times a minute. Cats don’t normally “pant” as dogs do. If your cat is
panting, call your veterinarian immediately. Breathing should be effortless and
quiet.
If your pet has increased respiratory rate and has not been exercising, running or
playing, it might be the first sign of breathing problems.
Excessive panting or gasping (dogs with elbows outward) (cats sitting crouched
with head and neck extended) is an emergency. Your pet is progressing to
respiratory failure. Seek veterinary care immediately.
Labored, open-mouthed breathing and blue gums indicates your pet is suffering
pulmonary failure. Your pet is suffocating seek veterinary care immediately.
Slowed, shallow or stopped breathing and unconsciousness means your pet is in
respiratory failure. Call your veterinarian immediately and be prepared to provide
artificial respiration.
Responsiveness: Healthy cats and dogs are alert and responsive to what
is happening in their surroundings. The more serious a condition, the less
responsive they will be.
Depressed, slow to sight or touch stimulation, sleepy or reluctant to move is
common to many illnesses. Seek veterinary care.
Pets that are disoriented, bump into objects, stare blindly, walk unsteadily or in
circles or falls over on one side indicate either an inner ear problem or
neurological problem. Seek veterinary care.
Stupor, when pets can only be aroused by painful stimulation such as pinched
toes indicates a serious neurological or metabolic problem. Seek veterinary care
immediately.
Comatose, when pets are unable to wake or when they are having seizures,
indicate a dire emergency. Your pet may have severe neurological damage,
injury or disease or have been poisoned by a toxin. Seek immediate veterinary
care.