Pet First Aid

Dogs & Cats

Pulse and Heart Rate

Normal resting rates:

• Cats: 150-200 bpm
• Small dogs: 90-120 bpm
• Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm
• Large dogs: 60-90 bpm

Pulse should be strong, regular and easy to locate.

Pulse

To Check the pulse - The easiest place to locate a pulse is the femoral artery in the groin area.

• Place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide your hand upward until the back of your fingers touches the abdomen.
• Gently move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the pulsing blood.
• Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. This will give you the beats per minute (bpm).

Temperature

Normal temperate for dogs and cats—100-102.5 degrees F. Thermometer should be almost clean when removed. Abnormalities are indicated by blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool.