Dog first aid, step by step
Know what normal looks like before anything goes wrong, then pick the emergency. A resting adult dog runs 101 to 102.5 F, with a heart rate of 70 to 120 and 18 to 34 breaths a minute.
Written by Justin Alcalde, AHA and American Red Cross instructor, CPR West Covina · Reviewed
Pick the emergency
- CPRNot breathing, not responding. 30 and 2, 100 to 120 a minute.
- ChokingChoking or coughing? If choking, up to 5 back blows first.
- Toxic foodsChocolate by weight, grapes, xylitol.
- Heat strokeAbove 104 F: cool running water, then the vet.
- SeizureTime it, hands off. Still going at 3 minutes? Go.
- BloatRetching, nothing comes up, tight belly: go to a vet now.
What normal looks like in a dog
Resting numbers for a healthy adult dog. Small dogs and puppies run faster heart rates than big dogs.
| Check | Normal at rest | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 101 to 102.5 F | Rectal thermometer, lubricated, about 1 inch in |
| Heart rate | 70 to 120 beats a minute, faster in small dogs and puppies | Hand on the left chest behind the elbow, or inside the back thigh. Count 15 seconds, times 4 |
| Breathing | 18 to 34 breaths a minute | Watch the chest rise while resting. Count 30 seconds, times 2 |
| Gums | Pink and moist | Lift the lip. Press a finger on the gum, let go, and the pink should return within 2 seconds |
How to take your dog's pulse and breathing
Practice on a calm day so the numbers mean something on a bad one. For the next step up, our online cat and dog first aid course covers CPR, choking and bleeding at your own pace.
Wait until your dog is resting
After a walk the numbers run high. Give it 10 minutes lying down.
Find the pulse
Two fingers inside the back thigh where it meets the body.
Count for 15 seconds
Multiply by 4. That is beats a minute.
Count breaths for 30 seconds
One rise and fall is one breath. Multiply by 2.
Write both numbers down
Your dog's own normal is the best comparison a vet can get.
What gum color can mean
Gum color is one of the quickest checks there is. Anything other than pink is worth a call to the vet, and some colors mean go now.
| Gum color | What it can be a sign of | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pink, moist | Normal | Nothing |
| Pale or white | Blood loss or shock | Go to the vet now |
| Blue or grey | Not enough oxygen | Go to the vet now. If not breathing, start CPR |
| Bright red | Overheating or some poisonings | Cool down if hot, call the vet on the way |
| Yellow | Liver trouble | Call the vet today |
Watch the steps
How to do CPR on a dog
What to do if your dog is choking
Your dog ate something toxic: what to do
How to cool a dog with heat stroke
What to do when your dog has a seizure
How to help a dog with bloat
Learn it properly
American Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid, online at your own pace. $50, certificate when you finish.
Start the course
Keep the steps on your phone
PetAid for iPhone, for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish and reptiles. Free on the App Store.
Get PetAidQuestions people ask
Is a warm, dry nose a sign my dog is sick?
Not on its own. Nose temperature and wetness change through the day. A thermometer reading is the number that counts.
Can I use an ear thermometer on a dog?
Pet ear thermometers exist, but readings vary more than a rectal reading. For a number you will act on, use a rectal thermometer.
How often should I check these numbers?
Take a baseline once a month on a calm day, and any time your dog seems off. A written baseline helps your vet more than a guess.
This is first aid, not veterinary care. Get to a vet or an emergency animal hospital as soon as the steps are done.
Sources