Dog Vitals 101

Welcome back! In the coming weeks, we’ll be diving into common illnesses, signs, and symptoms you can watch for in your dog. But before we get there, let’s start with the basics: at-home monitoring.

Knowing your dog’s normal (or baseline) makes it much easier to spot when something is “off.” Recognizing even small changes early can help you decide when it’s time for a veterinary visit. Today, we’ll go over five simple checks you can use at home:

• CRT (Capillary Refill Time)

• Skin Turgor

• Heart Rate

• Respiratory Rate

• Temperature

(Note: Normal ranges are based on a resting pet. If your dog has been active, give them 30 minutes to rest in a cool space before checking vitals.)

Capillary Refill Time

CRT is how quickly blood flows back into a mucous membrane after gentle pressure is applied. This gives a rough idea of how well blood and fluid are reaching all parts of the body. Under stress, the body will change blood vessel size in less essential tissues to prioritize organs required for basic survival. When the body is unable to use compensatory mechanisms, these deficits can be appreciated when evaluating the CRT.

• Normal: Gums should be pale pink (or pigmented but moist), and color should return within 2 seconds after pressing.

• How to check:

  1. Find a light-colored area of gum (above the upper teeth is easiest). If gums are fully pigmented, the vulva or prepuce are alternatives.

  2. Press firmly for 1 second, then release.

     • Tip: Try pressing your own fingernail, you’re aiming for that same pale “halo” without causing pain.

  3. Count how long it takes for the color to return.

• Abnormal: Pale, purple, sticky, or delayed refill gums are indicators to contact your vet promptly.

Skin Turgor

Skin Turgor is a method to get a general idea of how hydrated your pet is by evaluating how quickly the skin falls back to a natural resting position when manipulated. This test is more subjective based on how much extra skin an individual has.

• Normal: Skin should fall back to place in under 1 second (up to 2 seconds in wrinkly breeds).

• How to check: Gently lift the scruff at the shoulders, then release. 

• Abnormal: Skin stays tented, falls slowly, or hair having an unusual part.

Heart Rate

Heart rate can be a warning sign for a lot more than heart health. Heart rate can change as a result of pain, changes in hydration, stimulation, and so much more. In dogs, there is a wide range of normal, but most individual dog’s resting heart rates will remain relatively stable. Larger dogs will tend to fall to the lower end of the normal range, and small dogs will likely be on the higher end. Knowing what is normal for your dog will help you recognize a change early.

• Normal (resting): 80–140 bpm.

• How to check:

  1. Place your hand on the left side of the chest just behind the elbow and feel the beat.

  2. Or, find the pulse on the inside of the upper thigh where the leg meets the body.

  3. Or, You can also listen with your ear against the chest (less reliable for overweight or anxious pets).

Respiratory Rate

Respiratory rate, much like heart rate, can be influenced by many factors. How an animal breathes is closely related to activity and excitement, making measuring during rest essential for accuracy. At home, sleeping calmly or after laying down for 30 minutes in a cool space are good opportunities. 

• Normal (resting): 10–35 breaths per minute.

• How to check: Watch or feel the chest rise and fall. Count for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4.

• Abnormal: Belly breathing, neck extended, elbows held out, or obvious effort to breathe—see your vet promptly.

Temperature

Temperature, similar to people, increases in response to illness-causing disease, environmental conditions, and exercise. While fever does not necessarily need direct treatment, this can confirm the suspicion of infectious illness that may need supportive care. Temperature can also be monitored to understand the response to treatment. 

• Normal: 100–102.5°F.

• How to check:

  1. Rectal (most accurate): Use a pet-only thermometer with covers. Insert gently, keeping parallel to the back. Two people often make this easier: one to hold, one to measure.

  2. Axillary (underarm): Place between chest and front leg. Add 1°F to the reading for an accurate estimate.