How to Measure a Dog's Pulse

Co-authored by Belgin Altundag

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

Knowing whether your dog's heart is beating at the right speed can be very important if you believe your dog may be hurt or sick. When you take your dog to the vet, she or he will listen to your dog's heart using a stethoscope. However, there are other ways to measure a dog's pulse rate that you can use at home. All you need is a stopwatch and your hand.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Finding the Dog's Pulse

You will be feeling for its pulse, so you need to be able to access the dog's chest and belly.
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Put your hand where a back leg meets the belly. The most reliable place to take a dog's pulse is its femoral artery, in the groin. ^{[1]
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Research source} Put your fingers over the depression where the dog's back leg meets its belly, and press gently.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Belgin Altundag
Certified Dog Trainer

Expert Interview. 26 February 2021}
- If you can't find a pulse right away, move your fingers around in the area until you feel it.^{[3]
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- Your dog can be standing or lying on its side while you feel for its pulse.
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Feel for a heartbeat in the dog's chest. If you can't locate the femoral artery, try to find a pulse by feeling the dog's chest. While your dog is standing up, face your dog and place your hand over the rib cage.
- You should be able to feel the heartbeat just below the dog's elbow joint.^{[4]
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- If none of this works, place your hand of the dogs left side, just behind the front leg. A pulse can often be felt in this way.^{[5]
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Find a pulse on the back feet. Finally, if you don't have success with these approaches, you can sometimes feel a pulse near a dog's back feet. Feel the dog's foot with your fingertips, halfway between the toes and the ankle/wrist joint.
- This is called the "pedal pulse."

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Calculating the Dog's Pulse

1
Set a stopwatch for 15 seconds. Heart rates are measured in beats per minute (BPM). However, it is easy to lose count when you are trying to take a pulse for a full 60 seconds. Instead, set a stopwatch for 15 seconds.^{[6]
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- You can use a watch with a second hand or the stopwatch function on your phone.
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Count the beats. Place your fingers on the area you've chosen to feel for a pulse, start the stopwatch, and count the beats of the dog's heart until the time is up.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Belgin Altundag
Certified Dog Trainer

Expert Interview. 26 February 2021}
- Use your fingers only. If you use your thumb, you may end up feeling your own pulse, especially if you press too hard.^{[8]
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To convert your measure to BPM, all you have to do is multiply by four.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Belgin Altundag
Certified Dog Trainer

Expert Interview. 26 February 2021}^{[10]
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Research source} Four times 15 seconds is 60 seconds, or one minute.
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Determine if the pulse is normal or not. Knowing your dog's heartrate is only helpful if you know what it should be. The bigger the dog, the slower its pulse will be. Generally, the following is considered normal:^{[11]
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- For dogs under 20 pounds: 70-180 bpm.
- For dogs over 20 pounds: 60-140 bpm.
- For puppies up to six weeks old: up to 220 bpm.
- Note that for some dogs, their pulse may quicken when they inhale and slow when they exhale. This is a normal condition called sinus arrhythmia.^{[12]
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Seek veterinary help. If your dog's pulse is above or below the healthy range for its weight, or is weak or irregular, seek the attention of a veterinarian as soon as possible. This can be a sign of serious health issues.
- A fast heart rate might just indicate your dog is anxious. A persistently fast pulse, however, could indicate your dog is suffering from blood loss, dehydration, fever and heatstroke.^{[13]
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- A slow heart rate could indicate your dog is in shock or is suffering from heart disease.^{[14]
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- A slow pulse could also be a sign of sinus bradycardia, which is caused by slower-than-normal firing of the sinoatrial node of the nervous system. While this condition is often benign, it can also be related to neurological or respiratory disease, and can also be brought on by hypothermia.^{[15]
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- Heart issues should be considered a medical emergency. If your regular vet is not available to see your dog right away, search online for an emergency veterinary facility near you. This goes double if your dog is injured or has other obvious symptoms.^{[16]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  
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Where are a dog's pulse points?

Belgin Altundag
Certified Dog Trainer
Belgin Altundag is a Certified Dog Trainer and the Owner of Happy Doggies Day Care/Day Camp in West Hollywood, California. A passionate animal lover, Belgin is knowledgeable about multiple training styles, including obedience training, problem-solving, activity training, and behavior modification. In addition to being an Animal Behavior College’s Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT), Belgin has also completed the Training Cesar's Way Fundamentals of Dog Behavior and Training Programs 1 and 2 and is certified by the American Red Cross in Cat and Dog First-Aid.

Belgin Altundag

Certified Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

You can usually feel a dog's pulse from the inside of its rear leg near its mid-thigh.

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How do I calculate pulse rate?

Belgin Altundag
Certified Dog Trainer
Belgin Altundag is a Certified Dog Trainer and the Owner of Happy Doggies Day Care/Day Camp in West Hollywood, California. A passionate animal lover, Belgin is knowledgeable about multiple training styles, including obedience training, problem-solving, activity training, and behavior modification. In addition to being an Animal Behavior College’s Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT), Belgin has also completed the Training Cesar's Way Fundamentals of Dog Behavior and Training Programs 1 and 2 and is certified by the American Red Cross in Cat and Dog First-Aid.

Belgin Altundag

Certified Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Count the number of beats you feel over 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4 to get beats per minute.

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Tips

Keep in mind that if your dog is dehydrated, depressed, or has low blood pressure, its pulse may be harder to find.^{[17]
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Research source} If you have concerns about your dog's health and can't locate a pulse, it is best to see a veterinarian as soon as you can.

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Warnings

If your dog's pulse is weak, highly irregular, or not within the ranges described here, this can be a sign of serious health problems. See a vet immediately.^{[18]
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