As the heart beats it creates a wave of blood as it passes through an artery. It is this pulsing effect we can measure to get an idea of the state of our dog's heart and circulation. Placing the ball of the finger over an artery close to the skin and counting the pulse beat over a minute will give you the reading.
The best place to feel your pet's pulse is the femoral artery, which lies inside the thigh in the groin. While your pet is relaxed put the ball of two fingers inside the thigh and feel the pulse. In some slim dogs you can also feel the heart beat if you place your finger over the heart behind the left elbow in a standing dog.
A normal dog pulse will vary according to the breed. Small breeds have a higher pulse of between 90-120 beats per minute, while large dogs will have a pulse of between 60-90 beats per minute.
A normal pulse should be strong with a regular rhythmn. It will increase naturally if your dog is overexcited so make sure your dog is relaxed and calm. If the pulse is elevated then it could be a sign of heart problems, pain or fever. A rapid but weak pulse could be caused by blood loss after a car accident or anaemia. Seek veterinary advice if in doubt.
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