How Fast Is a Normal Heart Rate for Dogs? A Vet‘s Complete Guide
As a dog lover, there are few things more soothing than resting your hand on your furry friend‘s chest and feeling the steady drum of their heartbeat. But have you ever wondered if your dog‘s heart rate is normal? Just like their humans, a dog‘s heart is constantly working to keep them alive and well, and their resting heart rate can give important clues about their overall health. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore what veterinarians consider a normal heart rate for dogs, how to measure your pup‘s pulse, and what it means if their heartbeat is too slow or too fast.
What Is a Normal Resting Heart Rate for Dogs?
A healthy dog‘s heart rate falls within a range of beats per minute that varies based on the dog‘s size and age. Veterinary cardiologists have established these general guidelines for normal canine resting heart rates:
| Dog Size/Age | Heart Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Puppies (<1 year old) | 120-180 bpm |
| Small Dogs (<30 lbs) | 100-140 bpm |
| Medium Dogs (30-50 lbs) | 80-120 bpm |
| Large Dogs (>50 lbs) | 60-100 bpm |
| Giant Breed Dogs | 60-80 bpm |
Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
As you can see, smaller dogs and puppies normally have much faster heart rates than larger and older dogs. This is because tinier bodies have higher metabolisms and require more rapid circulation to deliver oxygen to their tissues. A Yorkshire Terrier puppy‘s heart may beat over 150 times per minute, while a relaxed adult Newfoundland‘s heart may only beat 65 times in that same span!
But within these ranges, every dog has their own "normal". One study published in the Journal of Veterinary Cardiology found that across 133 healthy adult dogs of various breeds, the average resting heart rate was 104 beats per minute, with a standard deviation of 27 bpm. This means that 95% of normal dogs in the study had a resting heart rate between 77 and 131 bpm.
How to Take Your Dog‘s Heart Rate
Knowing your individual dog‘s typical resting heart rate can help you quickly spot if something changes. Veterinarians recommend checking your dog‘s resting heartbeat periodically and keeping a log so you have a baseline for comparison. Here‘s how to do it:
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Wait till your dog is calm and resting – excitement or activity will raise their heart rate. Ideal times are when they first wake up or are napping.
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Place your hand over the left side of your dog‘s chest behind their elbow. You should feel the heart thumping against your palm. If you have trouble, try moving your hand slightly.
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Using a clock or stopwatch, count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds, then multiply by 4 to get beats per minute (bpm).
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Do this at least 3 times in a row to get an average.
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Log the date, time and heart rate in a notebook or your phone.
Alternatively, you can check your dog‘s femoral pulse, located on the inside of their upper hind leg. Place your first two fingers in the groove between their thigh muscles and feel for the pulsing of the femoral artery. Count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 as described above.
At your dog‘s annual vet check-ups, we always check their heart rate and will let you know if it falls outside the expected range for their age and size. But taking your dog‘s pulse at home can help you gain familiarity with what‘s normal for them and allow you to alert your vet to any significant changes between visits.
High Heart Rates in Dogs: When to Worry
A dog‘s heart rate can rise above normal for many reasons – some temporary and benign, others serious. Physiologic causes of an elevated heart rate (tachycardia) include:
- Excitement, anxiety or fear
- Physical activity and play
- High environmental temperatures
However, an abnormally rapid heart rate can also be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as:
- Fever and infection
- Severe pain
- Dehydration and heatstroke
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Certain medications
- Congestive heart failure
- Heartworm disease
If your dog‘s heart rate is higher than normal at rest and stays elevated, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Sustained tachycardia is especially concerning if you also notice symptoms like:
- Lethargy and weakness
- Collapse or fainting
- Pale gums
- Coughing
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Pot-bellied appearance (fluid build-up in abdomen)
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
These signs can indicate congestive heart failure or other serious cardiac issues that require prompt treatment. In a study of 558 dogs brought to a veterinary hospital for heart failure, the median heart rate was 160 bpm, significantly higher than the 60-140 bpm considered normal for most adult dogs.
Low Heart Rates in Dogs: Causes for Concern
On the other hand, an abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia) is cause for concern in dogs when it drops below 60 bpm in large breeds or below 80 bpm in small breeds and is accompanied by symptoms like weakness, fatigue, collapse, or fainting. Potential causes of bradycardia include:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
- Elevated blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
- Certain medications like beta blockers or calcium channel blockers
- Congenital heart defects
- Sick sinus syndrome (more common in older dogs)
- Damage to the heart‘s conduction system
In some cases, athletic dogs like Greyhounds naturally have slower heart rates (as low as 30 bpm when asleep) due to their high vagal tone, but this isn‘t a problem as long as they are otherwise healthy. However, if your dog‘s resting heart rate suddenly drops more than 20-30 bpm below their normal and they seem lethargic or unwell, seek veterinary care.
Diagnosing and Treating Abnormal Heart Rates in Dogs
If your vet suspects your dog has a cardiac issue based on a high or low heart rate, there are several diagnostic tests they may perform:
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Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities.
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Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart that allows visualization of the heart‘s structure, size and pumping function.
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Chest X-rays: Evaluate heart size and check for fluid build-up in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can occur with congestive heart failure.
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Blood and urine tests: Screen for underlying diseases that can affect heart rate and function, such as thyroid disorders, anemia, heartworm disease, and electrolyte imbalances.
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24-hour Holter monitor: A wearable device that continuously records the heart‘s rhythm to detect intermittent arrhythmias. In a 2020 study, 60 dogs wore a Holter monitor for 24 hours and over 80% had at least one period of sustained tachycardia.
Treatment for abnormal heart rates depends on the underlying cause, but may include:
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Medications: Drugs like pimobendan, enalapril and furosemide help the heart pump more efficiently and reduce fluid build-up in congestive heart failure. Diltiazem and digoxin can regulate abnormal heart rhythms.
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Surgical procedures: Some congenital heart defects can be repaired surgically to restore normal blood flow and heart rate.
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Pacemaker implantation: Dogs with dangerously slow heart rates due to sick sinus syndrome may need an artificial pacemaker to maintain an appropriate rhythm.
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Supplements: Deficiencies in taurine, carnitine or coenzyme Q10 can weaken the heart muscle and may be corrected with supplementation.
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Treating underlying conditions: Medications for hyperthyroidism, heartworm treatment, antibiotics for infections, etc. often resolve secondary heart rate abnormalities.
Catching heart disease early, before irreversible damage occurs, provides the best prognosis. In one study of 189 dogs with subclinical mitral valve disease (a leak in a heart valve), dogs‘ heart rates increased by about 10 bpm per year as the disease progressed, even before symptoms appeared. Annual heart screenings can detect these subtle changes.
Keeping Your Dog‘s Heart Healthy: A Dog Lover‘s Guide
As devoted dog parents, there‘s nothing we want more than a lifetime of joyful moments with our furry companions. While some heart conditions are congenital or age-related, there‘s still a lot you can do to promote your pup‘s cardiac health:
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Schedule regular check-ups: Bring your dog to the vet at least once a year for a full nose-to-tail exam, including a heart rate check and listening for murmurs or irregular rhythms. Senior dogs and breeds prone to heart issues like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes may need more frequent monitoring.
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Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity makes the heart work harder and is linked to shortened lifespan in dogs. Feed a balanced diet in proper portions and avoid overfeeding treats and table scraps. If you‘re not sure if your dog is overweight, ask your vet to assess their body condition score.
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Exercise with your dog: Whether it‘s daily walks, play sessions in the yard, or trips to the dog park, staying active keeps your pup‘s heart strong. Just be mindful of your dog‘s limits – short-nosed breeds and older dogs may need lower-intensity exercise. If your dog seems tired, let them rest.
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Keep up with preventive care: Make sure your dog is on year-round heartworm prevention, as heartworm disease can devastate the heart and lungs. Keep them on flea and tick control too, as some tick-borne diseases can affect the heart. Stay up to date on your dog‘s vaccinations to prevent viral illnesses like parvovirus that can damage the heart.
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Reduce stress: Chronic stress and anxiety can contribute to high blood pressure and heart rate in dogs, just like in people. Provide your pup with a predictable routine, plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, a safe space to retreat to when overwhelmed, and lots of love and positive reinforcement.
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Know your dog‘s "normal": Check your relaxed dog‘s resting heart and respiratory rates regularly so you‘ll notice changes early. Report persistent increases to your vet.
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Give heart medications as directed: If your dog has been diagnosed with a heart condition, it‘s crucial to give all medications on time and not miss doses. Don‘t stop giving a medication without your vet‘s guidance, even if your dog seems to feel better.
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Consider supplements: Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids like fish oil may help promote a healthy heart and reduce inflammation in dogs. Coenzyme Q10 may improve heart function in dogs with congestive heart failure. Always talk to your vet before giving any supplements.
The Dog Lover‘s Bottom Line
As a vet, my biggest hope is that all dogs live to a ripe old age with tails wagging and hearts beating strong. Monitoring your loyal companion‘s heart rate and knowing what‘s normal for them is a simple but powerful way to catch potential problems early. And by being proactive about your pup‘s heart health through regular check-ups, a balanced diet, plenty of exercise and lots of love, you‘ll have the joy of feeling that precious heartbeat for many years to come.
