How To Check Dog Heart Rate

Puppy Love: How to Check Your Dog’s Heart Rate

If you’re a dog owner, you know that your furry friend is not just a pet, but a member of your family. You want to take care of them as best as you can, and that includes monitoring their health. One important aspect of your dog’s well-being is their heart rate. Just like humans, dogs have a heartbeat that reflects their cardiovascular fitness and overall vitality. However, unlike humans, dogs cannot tell you how they feel or show you their pulse. Therefore, as a responsible dog owner, you need to learn how to check your dog’s heart rate yourself. In this article, we will guide you through the process step by step and give you some tips on what to watch for.

Before we start, let us clarify what we mean by “heart rate”. The heart rate is simply the number of times the heart beats per minute (bpm). The average resting heart rate for dogs varies depending on their breed, size, age, and health condition. Generally speaking, smaller dogs tend to have a higher heart rate than larger dogs, and younger dogs tend to have a faster heart rate than older dogs. For example, a Chihuahua may have a resting heart rate of 100-140 bpm, while a Great Dane may have a resting heart rate of 60-100 bpm. A healthy adult dog usually has a heart rate between 70-120 bpm at rest. However, when dogs are excited or active, their heart rate can increase significantly.

Now that you know what we mean by “heart rate”, let us move on to the practical part: how to check it. There are several methods you can use to check your dog’s heart rate, depending on your preference and your dog’s temperament.

Method 1: Feel the pulse
This method involves placing your hand over your dog’s chest or under their armpit, and feeling for the heartbeat. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Find a quiet place where your dog feels comfortable and relaxed.
2. Sit or lie down next to your dog, facing them.
3. Place your hand gently on their chest, behind their front leg, or under their elbow.
4. Feel for the rhythmic pulsation of the heart, which should feel like a regular “thump-thump” sensation.
5. Count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds, then multiply by four to get the bpm.

For example, if you feel 30 beats in 15 seconds, that means your dog’s heart rate is 120 bpm (30 x 4).

Method 2: Use a stethoscope
This method involves using a medical instrument called a stethoscope to amplify the sound of your dog’s heartbeat. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Get a stethoscope from a veterinary clinic or a medical supply store.
2. Put the earpieces in your ears and place the diaphragm (the flat part) over your dog’s chest, behind their left elbow.
3. Listen carefully for the lub-dub sound of the heart valves opening and closing.
4. Count the number of lub-dubs you hear in 15 seconds, then multiply by four to get the bpm.

For example, if you hear 20 lub-dubs in 15 seconds, that means your dog’s heart rate is 80 bpm (20 x 4).

Method 3: Use an app
This method involves using a smartphone app that can measure your dog’s heart rate through its camera lens and flash. There are several apps available for both iOS and Android devices that claim to be accurate and easy to use. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Download and install a heart rate app such as Cardiio, Heart Watch, or Instant Heart Rate.
2. Open the app and follow the instructions to calibrate it for your dog’s breed, age, and size.
3. Hold your phone in front of your dog’s face, with the camera lens facing their nose and the flash on.
4. Wait for a few seconds until the app detects your dog’s heart rate and displays it on the screen.

Note: While this method may be convenient and fun to try, it is not as reliable or precise as the other two methods, especially if your dog is wiggly or has long hair that can interfere with the camera. Therefore, we recommend using this method only for entertainment purposes, or as a backup option when you cannot use the other methods.

Now that you know how to check your dog’s heart rate, let us discuss some factors that can affect it and what to watch for.

Factors that can affect your dog’s heart rate:
– Age: Younger dogs tend to have faster heart rates than older dogs.
– Size: Smaller dogs tend to have higher heart rates than larger dogs.
– Breed: Some breeds are more prone to heart problems than others (e.g. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher).
– Health condition: Dogs with heart disease, infections, or injuries may have abnormal heart rates.
– Activity level: Dogs that are excited, scared, or exercising may have faster heart rates than dogs that are calm or sleeping.

What to watch for:
– Resting heart rate that is consistently above 120 bpm or below 70 bpm at rest.
– Irregular heartbeat (e.g. skipped beats, extra beats) that lasts longer than a few seconds or occurs frequently.
– Rapid breathing or panting even when your dog is not hot or tired.
– Weakness, lethargy, fainting spells, coughing, wheezing, or other signs of discomfort.

If you notice any of these symptoms or have concerns about your dog’s heart rate, please consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. They can perform a physical exam, blood tests, X-rays, and electrocardiography (ECG) to diagnose any underlying conditions and provide appropriate treatment.

In conclusion, checking your dog’s heart rate is an important part of their health care routine. By using the methods we described above and paying attention to your dog’s behavior and symptoms, you can detect any potential problems early and help your dog live a longer, happier life. Remember to be gentle, patient, and observant when checking your dog’s heart rate, and don’t forget to give them lots of love and treats!