Let’s learn about normal vital signs and some basic pet anatomy. This will give us a baseline so we can easily recognize abnormal symptoms. When I was a veterinary technician, one of my tasks was to assist doctors in surgery which involved monitoring vitals. I made sure temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate and pulse were within normal limits before, during and after surgery. I had to know what was normal so I could spot the abnormal. Of course you won’t be in a surgical setting but knowledge is power!

Body Temperature

Canine “normal” body temperature range is 100.5 – 102.5 Fahrenheit (38 – 39.2 Celsius). A body temperature below 100 or above 103F warrants a call to your veterinarian. Body temperature in dogs is most often measured rectally, ear thermometers can also be used, but it can be difficult to get an accurate reading. Gauging body temperature by the moistness of the nose or how warm the ears feel is not reliable. Click here to learn how to assess your dog’s body temperature: How to Take your Dog’s Temperature

Feline “normal” body temperature range is 100.5 – 102.5 Fahrenheit (38 – 39.2 Celsius). A body temperature below 100 or above 103F warrants a call to your veterinarian. Cats may become stressed in the veterinary office (or car ride to the office), creating a higher-than-normal body temperature temporarily. Gauging body temperature by the moistness of the nose or how warm the ears feel is not reliable.

Respiratory Rate

For dogs: 18-34 breaths per minute. Normal respiratory rates are assessed when the dog is resting. A dog that is in pain, having heart or respiratory problems, suffering from heatstroke, or simply excited will usually have increased respiratory rates. It is important to gauge the overall situation and condition of the animal to assess the respiratory rate.

For Cats: 16 – 40 breaths per minute. Normal respiratory rates are assessed when the cat is resting. A cat that is in pain, having heart or respiratory problems, suffering from heatstroke, or stressed will usually have increased respiratory rates. It is important to gauge the overall situation and condition of the animal to assess the respiratory rate.

Heart Rate

Dogs: 70-120 beats per minute. Larger dogs have slower rates than small dogs, and dogs that are in good physical shape will have lower heart rates than dogs of similar age and size who are not physically fit. Puppies typically have higher heart rates, up to 180 beats per minute is normal up to one year of age.

Cats: 120-140 beats per minute. When stressed, heart rates will increase. This will normalize as the cat calms down in healthy animals. Cats that suffer from heart conditions (cardiomyopathy) or diseases such as hyperthyroidism will have increased heart rates — over 200 beats per minute in some cases.

Number of Teeth

Puppies have 28 teeth (those sharp little needle like teeth!) Adult dogs have 42 teeth. Puppies usually lose their deciduous (baby) teeth by 6 months of age, which are replaced by the adult teeth.

Kittens have 26 teeth. Adult cats have 30 teeth. Kittens usually lose their deciduous (baby) teeth by 6 months of age, which are replaced by the adult teeth.

Some of the normal values are quite different between cats and dogs. A high end heart rate for a dog is on the low end of the range for cats. For your own pets, practice measuring their vital signs while they’re at rest by counting their breaths and/or heartbeats. Feel all over your pet for lumps and bumps. Look at your pets’ teeth and see how they’re shaped, how they are different from yours. Is it time for a dental cleaning? Any broken, worn down or chipped teeth? They may protest at first but with consistency they’ll come to accept that it’s part of the routine. The more you handle your pets, especially puppies and kittens, touching their feet, ears, teeth etc… the quicker they become accustomed to the “invasion” and relax.

More information can be found on these sites:

Canine Physiology and Anatomy

Feline Physiology and Anatomy

Merck Veterinary Manual