Your pet’s vital signs are an excellent indicator of their overall health. When you learn how to monitor them at home, you can have more insight into your pet’s health at any time. Recognizing changes in your pet's vitals can help identify pet emergencies and prevent an emergency situation in the future.
Important vital signs you can monitor at home include:
- Appearance
- Gum health
- Heart rate
- Respiratory rate
- Temperature
- Hydration
Because these metrics are so valuable in assessing overall health, they’re usually the first signs an emergency team looks for at the hospital during the triage process.
All you need to track your pet's vitals is some baseline knowledge and a few household items. If there’s a major deviation from their “norm,” you’ll be better informed in case they’re experiencing a medical emergency.
Before you get started, there are a few points to keep in mind:
- Safety comes first. If you have any concerns that you or your pet could get harmed in the process, do not proceed and seek veterinary help.
- It’s important that your pet is relaxed when you check their vitals. Be gentle and cautious with them and perform these assessments in a calm environment.
- If your pet is experiencing any emergency-level symptoms regardless of their vital signs, take them to an emergency pet hospital.
How do I assess my pet’s appearance?
The first indicator of your pet’s health is their appearance. A healthy pet is:
- Alert and aware of their surroundings
- Generally bright and responsive
- Able to walk around normally
If your pet seems dull, unresponsive or unsteady, they may be experiencing medical distress.
How do I check my pet’s gums?
Your pet’s gums can also shed light on their overall health. You can check the color, texture and refill rate to assess if your pet is unwell.
Color
Healthy gums are pink, resembling the color of salmon or bubble gum.
Signs of potential trouble include discolored gums that appear:
- Bright red
- Pale pink or white
- Gray
- Blue or bluish-purple
Texture
Your pet’s gums should feel moist, slippery and generally smooth to the touch. Dryness, stickiness and bleeding are all signs of concern.
Refill rate
A simple test to perform on your pet’s gums is measuring the capillary refill time (CRT). This is simply the amount of time it takes for blood to return to the capillary bed after applying gentle pressure.
Here’s how to do it:
- Gently lift your pet’s lip so their gums are exposed.
- Press down on the gums with your finger, then release.
- Count how many seconds it takes for the color to return.
A normal CRT is less than two seconds. A longer CRT could indicate issues with your pet’s blood flow.
How do I check my pet’s heart rate?
Your pet’s heart rate (which may be assessed using their pulse) is the number of times their heart beats per minute. All you need is a stopwatch, which you can likely find in your smartphone clock app.
To begin, find a quiet spot and have your pet rest in a comfortable position. For the most accurate results, check your pet’s heart rate when they are calm and at rest.
Next, locate their heartbeat with your hands in one of two ways:
- Place your hand over their heart, which is located on the left side of their chest. You should feel distinct heartbeats under your hand.
- Place two fingers over a major artery, like the femoral artery, which is located on the upper part of your pet’s inner thigh. You should feel their pulse.
Start your stopwatch and count the beats for 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to calculate beats per minute.
Here is an example:
- 25 beats x 4 = 100 beats per minute.
Healthy heart rates can vary depending on your pet’s size and species. Here are a few benchmark numbers that vets consider “normal.”
- Cats: Between 120 and 180 beats per minute.
- Small dogs: Between 60 and 140 beats per minute.
- Large dogs: Between 60 and 110 beats per minute.
Keep in mind: Every pet is different. Your pet’s “normal” heart rate may be different, too. If you have a concern, call your veterinarian.
How do I check my pet’s respiratory rate?
Your pet’s respiratory rate (or breathing rate) is how many times they take a breath in a minute.
To measure your pet’s respiratory rate, grab your stopwatch and sit with your pet in a quiet, comfortable place. The ideal time to measure respiratory rate is when your pet is at rest and feeling relaxed or even sleepy.
Watch your pet’s chest rise and fall as they take a breath. You can gently place your hand on their chest if that’s easier for you to feel their breaths.
Then, set your stopwatch and begin counting breaths. One inhale and exhale combination counts as one respiration. Count respirations for 15 seconds, then multiply by four.
Example:
- 5 respirations x 4 = 20 respirations per minute (or rpm)
Keeping in mind that every pet is unique, respiratory rates that are generally considered “normal” are:
- 18-24 rpm for dogs
- 20-30 rpm for cats
How do I check my pet’s temperature?
You can take your pet’s temperature aurally (in the ear canal) or orally (in the mouth), but the most accurate reading is taken rectally (in the rectum).
To do this, here’s what you’ll need:
- A digital thermometer (it’s best to dedicate one solely to your pet)
- Gentle, all-purpose lubricant (like petroleum jelly)
- Alcohol wipes
- Disposable gloves
- Treats (optional)
Begin by having your pet rest in a comfortable spot. It’s best to take their temperature indoors so the outside temperature doesn’t have any effect on the reading.
Put your gloves on and apply a small amount of lubricant on the tip of the thermometer.
Carefully insert the thermometer into your pet’s rectum no more than one inch and wait until you get a reading. Most thermometers will beep to indicate the reading is ready.
Gently remove the thermometer and clean it with alcohol wipes.
Many pets will get used to rectal temperature tests, but if they act stressed, you can distract them with treats to keep them calm and still. If a rectal test is too stressful for your pet, in-ear and under-the-tongue readings are still a good way to get a reading, especially because stress and agitation can artificially increase a pet’s temperature as they get worked up.
Normal temperatures in dogs and cats are between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
How can I tell if my pet is hydrated?
There are a few simple indicators of your pet’s hydration that you can easily assess at home:
- Is your pet’s skin elastic? Skin elasticity is a sign of proper hydration. Gently lift then release the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades. If your pet is properly hydrated, it should return to normal quickly. If they’re dehydrated, the skin may keep a “tented” appearance.
- Are their gums moist? Dry and tacky gums are signs of dehydration.
- Are they showing symptoms of dehydration? Common signs include loss of energy, weakness, reduced appetite and sunken eyes.
Treating dehydration isn’t as simple as giving your pet a big bowl of water. In fact, that can sometimes make the situation worse. If you suspect your pet is dehydrated, call your local emergency vet immediately.
Is this an emergency?
If you took any of the vitals tests above and you’re concerned about your pet’s health, it’s a good idea to have them seen quickly by a professional.
Take the following steps to prepare you and your pet for a vet visit:
- Call your family vet. They can help you decide the next best steps for your pet’s care. If they aren’t available, call your nearest emergency veterinarian.
- Record the information you collected, like respiratory rate or heart rate. While your emergency vet will take your pet’s vitals at the hospital, it can be helpful for them to see how the numbers have changed over time.
- Look for other symptoms. Are there any other symptoms accompanying your pet's concerning vital signs? If so, you’ll want to share this information with the ER vet too.
Ultimately, you know your pet best. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to seek care, it’s a good idea to make the call and seek professional help.
What are some other tips for monitoring my pet’s vital signs at home?
Monitoring your pet’s vital signs at home can give you valuable information about your pet’s current state of health. Here are a few other tips to help you track these signs with confidence:
- Seek help. Get your family involved by having them keep your pet calm and relaxed during the process. They can sit by your side and give gentle pets if it helps everyone involved feel more at ease.
- Reward your pet. After you check your pet’s vitals, reward them with lots of love and tasty treats. This will help them make a positive association with you monitoring their vitals.
- Performing these assessments at home will get easier the more you and your pet practice these steps together.
- Ask your vet. If you have questions about monitoring your pet’s vitals at home, ask your family veterinarian. They can provide more information and show you a demonstration during your next visit.
