What is a normal respiratory rate for a sleeping dog? A Step-by-Step Guide

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What are the clinical signs that may be associated with heart disease or heart failure in dogs and cats?

  • Fast breathing when resting or sleeping (more than 30 breaths per minute)
  • Increased effort associated with breathing (labored breathing)
  • Restlessness, agitation, and difficulty finding a comfortable position to sleep
  • A change in how your pet sleeps (e.g., if your pet normally sleeps on his back or on his side, or curled up in a ball, and now sleeps sitting up or in a “sphinx” position).
  • Coughing or gagging
  • Weakness
  • Reduced ability to exercise
  • Collapse or fainting
  • Decreased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Distended abdomen
  • Depressed attitude or quiet and not interactive

    • Cat only

  • Hind leg lameness or weakness
  • Hind end paralysis
  • Front leg lameness
  • Pain

    • Respiratory Rate – Counting the number of breaths per minute and determining the breathing pattern can be very important in an emergency. Learn the normal breathing rate and pattern for your pet. Count the number of breaths your pet takes in one minute. Avoid counting when your pet is panting. A good time to count the normal breathing rate is when your pet is asleep. Normal respiratory rates: -For dogs: 10 to 30 breaths per minute. Dogs can also pant normally up to 200 pants per minute.

    Mucous Membrane Color – The most commonly examined mucous membranes are the gums. The color of the gums is a good indicator of blood perfusion and oxygenation. The normal gum color is pink. If your pet has pigmented gums, lowering the eyelid can also give you an indicator of mucous membrane color. Pale, white, blue or yellow gums are cause for concern and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

    Body Temperature – Body temperature in animals is taken rectally. The normal body temperature for a dog is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pet has a temperature less than 99 or over 104, contact your veterinarian immediately.

    Heart Rate – You can feel your pet’s heartbeat on the left side of the chest at the area where a raised elbow will touch the chest. Your pet should be calm and quiet. Place your hand over this area of the chest and feel for a heartbeat. You can also use a stethoscope if you have one. Count the number of heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. Be aware that a dog’s heartbeat will normally slow down and speed up with each breath. This is not an abnormal heart rhythm and does not require veterinary care. For dogs, a normal heartbeat varies on size: Small dogs and puppies normally have heart rates of 120 to 160 beats per minute. Dogs over 30 pounds have heart rates of 60 to 120. The larger the dog, the slower the normal heart rate. If your pet has a heart rate outside the normal range, contact your veterinarian immediately.

    Answer Hi – thanks for your email. Great question. I’m glad you asked this. We have a great article on the site – I’ll include information from that article for you here. Normal vital signs for dogs are:

    Tips for Monitoring Your Pet’s Respiratory Rate

    A resting respiratory rate is the number of times your pet takes a complete breath (in and out) within a 60 second period while at rest or sleeping (as opposed to when active, playing or dreaming). Respiratory rates should be monitored in pets with significant heart disease and a risk of developing congestive heart failure (fluid in or around the lungs).

    This type of monitoring helps to catch the earliest signs of congestive heart failure before the condition develops into an emergency situation potentially requiring hospitalization and oxygen therapy.

    How to measure your dog’s breathing rate.

    If your pup is breathing fast for no apparent reason, youre bound to be concerned. Today our Mooresville vets share some of the reasons why your dog may be breathing hard and when its time for your dog to see the vet.