Getting In Touch With Vitals

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month!🚨🧰 Administering first aid always starts with vitals. When you hear us say "check their vitals", what does that mean? How can you check?

Knowing the normal vital signs of your cat or dog helps you spot early signs of illness and keep your pet healthy and happy! Vitals like heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and capillary refill time (CRT) provide essential clues about your pet’s well-being. This guide explains what these numbers mean for cats and dogs, how to measure them, and when to seek veterinary care.

It's good to practice in a non-emergency so you know how to do it in a pinch!

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🫀 Normal Heart Rate for Cats and Dogs

The heart rate, or pulse, reflects how many times the heart beats per minute (BPM). It varies by species, size, age, and activity level.

• Cats: A normal resting heart rate ranges from 140 to 220 beats per minute (bpm). Kittens and smaller cats tend to have faster heart rates, while larger adult cats are usually on the lower end of this range.
  

• Dogs: The normal heart rate for dogs varies more widely depending on size:

- Small breeds: 100 to 160 bpm

- Medium to large breeds: 60 to 100 bpm

- Puppies generally have faster heart rates than adult dogs.

A heart rate outside these ranges can indicate stress, pain, fever, dehydration, or heart problems. For example, a dog with a heart rate consistently above 160 BPM at rest may be experiencing anxiety or an underlying health issue.

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🫁 Normal Respiratory Rate for Cats and Dogs

Respiratory rate (RR) measures how many breaths your pet takes per minute. It’s best checked when your pet is calm and resting.

• Cats: Normal respiratory rate is about 20 to 30 breaths per minute.

• Dogs: Normal respiratory rate ranges from 10 to 30 breaths per minute, slight variation on size and breed.

  
  

Rapid or labored breathing can signal respiratory infections, heart disease, or pain. Slow breathing may also be a concern if accompanied by lethargy and/or weakness.

How to Measure Respiratory Rate

Watch your pet’s chest rise and fall for 30 seconds, then multiply by two to get breaths per minute. Avoid measuring immediately after exercise or excitement, as this will raise the rate temporarily.

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🌡️ Normal Temperature for Cats and Dogs

Normal temperature ranges are:

• Cats: 100.5°F to 102.5°F (38.1°C to 39.2°C)

• Dogs: 99.5°F to 102.5°F (37.5°C to 39.2°C)

  
  

Temperatures above 103°F (39.4°C) usually indicate fever, while below 99°F (37.2°C) may suggest hypothermia or shock. Both conditions require prompt veterinary attention.

How to Take Your Pet’s Temperature

The most accurate method is using a digital rectal thermometer. Lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly or vaseline, gently insert it about one inch into the rectum, and wait for the beep. Clean the thermometer thoroughly afterward.

You can also take an ear temperature! While this is much easier it's slightly less accurate. If your pet seems sick, a vet will most likely attempt a rectal temperature.

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🦷 Understanding Capillary Refill Time (CRT)

Capillary refill time measures how quickly blood returns to the gums after pressing on them. It reflects blood circulation and hydration status!

• To check CRT, press your pet’s gum with a finger until it turns pale.

• Release and count how many seconds it takes for the pink color to return.

• Normal CRT is 1 to 2 seconds.

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A prolonged CRT (more than 2 seconds) can indicate poor blood flow, dehydration, shock, or heart problems. This simple test can help you decide if your pet needs urgent care.

Normal gums and tongue should be a healthy pink.

If they're white, grey, or blue, this indicates they're not getting enough oxygen, are in shock, or have lost a lot of blood. This is an emergency!

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🐶 Why Monitoring Vitals Matters 🐱

Regularly checking your pet’s vitals helps you notice subtle changes before serious illness develops. For example:

• A dog with a rising heart rate and respiratory rate may be developing heatstroke on a hot day.

• A cat with a low temperature and slow CRT could be in shock after trauma.

• Early detection of abnormal vitals allows faster treatment and better outcomes.

  
  

🏡Tips for Measuring Vitals at Home

• Choose a quiet time when your pet is calm and relaxed.

• Use a reliable digital thermometer and a watch or timer.

• Handle your pet gently and speak calmly to reduce stress.

• Record your findings to track trends over time.

• If you’re unsure how to measure or interpret vitals, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration.

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🩺 When to Contact Your Veterinarian

Seek veterinary care if your pet shows any of the following signs:

• Heart rate or respiratory rate consistently outside normal ranges at rest

• Temperature above 103°F (39.4°C) or below 99°F (37.2°C)

• Capillary refill time longer than 2 seconds

• Pale or blue gums/tongue

• Difficulty breathing, coughing, or persistent panting

• Lethargy, weakness, or collapse

  
  

These symptoms may indicate serious health problems that require prompt diagnosis and treatment.

More of a visual person? Check out this 5 minute video going over the above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv63ZUTp_IM

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