How to Check Dog Heart Rate at Home

Why Check Your Dog's Heart Rate at Home?

Heart rate is one of the four key vital signs — along with temperature, breathing rate, and gum color — that can tell you a lot about your dog's health. An abnormal heart rate can signal pain, fever, dehydration, heart disease, or shock. Knowing how to check it at home means you can give your vet accurate information and catch problems early.

What Is a Normal Dog Heart Rate?

Normal heart rate varies by size:

• Large dogs (over 30 lbs): 60–90 bpm
• Medium dogs: 80–120 bpm
• Small dogs (under 30 lbs): 100–140 bpm
• Puppies: Up to 180 bpm

See our full guide on normal dog heart rate for a detailed breakdown.

Method 1: Using a Stethoscope (Most Accurate)

1. Have your dog stand or lie calmly on their right side.
2. Place the stethoscope on the left side of the chest, just behind the front left leg.
3. Listen for the heartbeat — you'll hear a "lub-dub" sound. Each lub-dub = one beat.
4. Count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4 to get beats per minute (bpm).

🩺 Recommended Tool: 3M Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope — More than 2x louder than standard stethoscopes. Picks up subtle heart sounds clearly, even through a dog's coat.

Method 2: Feeling the Femoral Pulse (No Equipment Needed)

1. Have your dog stand or lie on their side.
2. Place two fingers (not your thumb) on the inside of the upper thigh, where the leg meets the body.
3. Feel for the pulse — it may take a moment to locate.
4. Count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.

This method is less precise than a stethoscope but works well in a pinch.

Method 3: Using a Pulse Oximeter

A veterinary pulse oximeter clips to the tongue or ear and gives a digital readout of pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation simultaneously.

📲 Recommended Tool: Veterinary Handheld AM1000A-Vet Pulse Oximeter — Bluetooth-enabled, tongue probe for pets, reads both pulse rate and SpO2. Ideal for monitoring dogs with heart or respiratory conditions.

Tips for an Accurate Reading

• Always check when your dog is calm and rested — not after exercise or excitement
• Take the reading twice and average the results
• Note the rhythm as well as the rate — an irregular rhythm (skipping beats) is as important as an abnormal rate
• Check at the same time of day for consistent monitoring

What Abnormal Heart Rate Looks Like

• Too fast (tachycardia): Can indicate fever, pain, dehydration, anemia, heart disease, or anxiety
• Too slow (bradycardia): Can indicate hypothermia, certain medications, or heart conduction problems
• Irregular rhythm: May indicate arrhythmia — always report to your vet

When to Call the Vet

Contact your vet if your dog's heart rate is consistently outside the normal range for their size, if the rhythm is irregular, or if an abnormal heart rate is accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, pale gums, or difficulty breathing. See our guide on how to tell if your dog is sick for a full checklist.