Monitoring a dog’s physical signs offers owners a simple way to gauge their pet’s well-being. Understanding how to check a pulse is a valuable skill for routine health checks and for responding effectively during an emergency situation. This non-invasive technique provides immediate insight into the function of the cardiovascular system by measuring the pressure wave of blood flow. Establishing a baseline for your dog’s normal resting rate is a powerful tool for the early detection of changes.
Locating the Primary Pulse Point
The most reliable location for an owner to find a dog’s pulse is the femoral artery, which runs along the inner thigh. This large artery is easily accessible and provides a strong, clear beat because it is a major vessel supplying blood to the hind limb. To locate it, gently place your dog on its side or have it stand calmly, ensuring they are relaxed to prevent muscle tension from obscuring the pulse.
Run your fingers along the dog’s upper inner thigh, near where the leg joins the body at the groin area. The artery feels like a taut cord or band beneath the skin. You may need to press gently into the soft tissue to isolate it, applying light pressure until you feel the distinct throbbing sensation of the blood flow.
It is helpful to practice finding this location when your dog is healthy to become familiar with the sensation. While other locations, such as the artery on the underside of the tail or the wrist, can be used, the femoral artery is the most consistent and easiest for owners to locate accurately.
Step-by-Step Guide to Checking the Pulse
Once the femoral artery is located, use the pads of your index and middle fingers to feel the pulse. Avoid using your thumb, as it has its own strong pulse that can be confused with the dog’s beat, leading to an inaccurate count. Apply just enough pressure to feel the distinct rhythmic beat without compressing the artery completely, which would stop the blood flow.
To determine the beats per minute (BPM), you will need a watch or timer with a second hand. Count the number of distinct beats you feel over exactly 15 seconds, ensuring the dog remains calm and resting. Multiply that number by four to calculate the dog’s full minute heart rate. This method provides an accurate snapshot of the resting heart rate without requiring a full minute of counting.
The pulse check involves more than just counting the rate; owners should also assess the quality and rhythm of the beat.
Assessing Pulse Quality
Note whether the pulse feels strong and full or if it seems weak and thready. A strong pulse suggests good circulation, while a weak pulse may signal issues like shock or dehydration.
Assessing Pulse Rhythm
Observe if the beats are regular and evenly spaced or if they feel irregular or skipped. A consistent, steady rhythm is expected in a healthy, resting dog. Any noticeable irregularity in the timing of the beats should be recorded alongside the rate.
Interpreting the Heart Rate and Next Steps
A dog’s normal resting heart rate varies significantly based on its size and age. Generally, smaller breeds and puppies have a faster heart rate, typically ranging from 100 to 160 beats per minute. Larger, conditioned dogs usually have a slower rate, often falling between 60 and 100 beats per minute when they are completely at rest. These ranges reflect differences in metabolic rate and cardiac output.
A pulse rate significantly outside these established ranges warrants veterinary attention. A rate that is too high (tachycardia) or too low (bradycardia) can signal underlying health issues, such as pain, shock, fever, or cardiac disease. Owners should establish their dog’s baseline rate during a period of calm. Any sudden, unexplained change from this baseline should be noted as a potential indicator of a health change.
Immediate veterinary contact is necessary if the pulse is absent, extremely weak, or far outside the normal parameters. For instance, a resting rate below 50 BPM or above 180 BPM, particularly in a large breed, requires prompt medical assessment. Urgency increases if the abnormal pulse is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pale gums, difficulty breathing, or sudden lethargy, which may indicate a serious emergency.
An irregular rhythm, where beats are skipped or unevenly spaced, also requires professional evaluation, even if the rate falls within the normal range. While some slight irregularity is common, a consistently erratic pulse can indicate an arrhythmia that needs diagnosis and treatment. Recording the rate, strength, and rhythm before contacting the veterinarian provides valuable information for guiding the next steps in your dog’s care.