The pulse rate is determined by counting the number of beats per minute.

Most adult dogs at rest

maintain a rate of 60 to 160 beats per minute. In large dogs the rate is somewhat slower and in toy dogs
its somewhat faster. In young puppies the heart rate is about 220 beats per minute.
Heartbeat and Pulse Because dogs come in a wide range of sizes, their heartbeats vary. A normal heart beats
from 50 to 130 times a minute in a resting dog. Puppies and small dogs have faster speeds, and large dogs in top
condition have slower heartbeats. To check your dogs heartbeat, place your fingers over the left side of the chest,
where you can feel the strongest beat. To check the pulse, which is the same speed as the heartbeat, press gently on
the inside of the top of the hind leg. There is an artery there and the skin is thin, so it's easy to feel the pulse.

Vital Signs
Dogs

Cats

70 - 160 beats / minute

160 - 240 beats / minute

10 - 30 breaths / minute
101 - 102.5 F

20 - 30 breaths / minute
101 - 102.5 F

Normal Heart Rate

Normal Respiratory Rate

Normal Temperature

Heart rate (young) = 100-120 beats per minute

Heart rate (adult) = 70-120 beats per minute