Vital Signs
| Dogs | Cats | |
| Normal Heart Rate |
70 - 160 beats / minute | 160 - 240 beats / minute |
| Normal Respiratory Rate | 10 - 30 breaths / minute | 20 - 30 breaths / minute |
| Normal Temperature | 101 - 102.5 F | 101 - 102.5 F |
How Do You Check Vital Signs?
| Technique | Recording Results | |
| Heart Rate | Hand over the heart | Count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 |
| Respiration | Observe flank motion or place a wet finger (pocket mirror) over the nares | Count the rate over 15 seconds and multiply by 4 |
| Temperature | Use rectal or digital thermometer. Insert for one minute into the rectum or use the external ear canal. Try the new infared thermometers ( 2 seconds!)! | Record degrees F |