How to Check Your Dog’s Vitals from Home

Sometimes our fur babies are our actual babies, which means we would drop everything to make them happy. Whether it’s an extra treat, more time playing fetch, or a cozy new bed, dog-parents will pretty much do anything for a wagging tail! But, when it comes to keeping our pooches healthy, we can’t always keep them out of harm’s way. Fortunately, there are a few at-home checks you can do on your dog regularly to make sure you’re not missing any poor health indicators! Read on for some tips on how to check your pup’s vitals from home.

Why?

You know your dog better than anyone else, including how they look, feel, and act. This means you may be able to detect when something in your dog’s health changes, whether it’s subtle or drastic! Performing at-home exams can help you get a good grip on what is normal for your furry friend, and with practice, you’ll be able to tell if something is off and know what to tell a professional! Start slow with some simple observations. Take a mental note of your dog’s usual behaviors, habits, posture, breathing, activity, feeding, etc. Next, basic vital tests:

Taking Doggie Temperature

Being able to take Fido’s temperature is a simple and important step in checking vitals. To do so, use a thermometer, a digital rectal thermometer is most for canine use. Put petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer to lubricate and gently enter the end about 1 inch into the rectum. Be sure to stay calm and comfort your pup during the temperature taking to keep the situation going smoothly.

Normal Temperature:

• Between 100-102.5 Fahrenheit
• Clean removal of thermometer

Abnormal Temperature:

• Below 99 or above 102.5 Fahrenheit
• Blood, black stool, or diarrhea upon removal of thermometer

Checking Pulse and Heart Rate

Knowing how to check your dog’s pulse before a crisis is crucial to potentially saving their life.

The best way to check a pulse is the artery within the groin area. This is located around the front of the hind leg where it meets the abdominal wall. You will be able to locate the pulse by moving your fingers gently back and forth. Count how many pulses felt in 15 seconds then multiply the number by 4. You will have your dog’s pulse rate of beats per minute. Obviously, rates may increase as moods change, so a heart rate shouldn’t be your only indicator of a condition.

Normal Heart Rate

• Heart Rate between 60-160 beats per minute (the rate will change based on breed, size, activity, mood, etc.)
• Pulse is easily found and strong (meaning you don’t have to strain to feel/count the beats)

Abnormal Heart Rate

• Too slow or rapid for your particular dog (your doctor will be able to give you an indicator of normal levels)
• Pulse is hard to locate, weak, or irregular in beats

By checking your pooch’s basic vitals, you’re 1 step toward making a difference in their life and health! These skills can be essential in times of need and determining what needs to be done for your furball’s safety. Plus, you get bragging rights of being an awesome and caring dog-parent!