When something feels off, quick, calm checks can help you decide how urgently your pet needs care. Start by placing your pet on a flat surface and keeping them as still and comfortable as possible.
Look for the chest rising and falling, or place your hand lightly on your pet’s ribcage to feel movement. Count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get breaths per minute. If your pet is not breathing, is gasping, or the gums/tongue look blue or gray, treat it as an emergency and contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.
The easiest pulse to feel at home is usually the femoral pulse inside the back leg. With your pet lying on their side or standing, slide your fingers (not your thumb) high on the inner thigh where the leg meets the body. Press gently until you feel a steady “thump-thump.” Count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 for beats per minute. A weak, very fast, very slow, or irregular pulse—especially with collapse, severe weakness, or pale/white gums—needs urgent veterinary attention.
Lift the lip and look at gum color: healthy gums are usually pink and moist. Press a fingertip on the gum until it turns white, then release; color should return in about 1–2 seconds. Very pale, white, blue/gray, or brick-red gums, or refill taking longer than 2 seconds, can indicate shock or poor oxygenation.
If readings seem abnormal or your pet is struggling, call a vet or emergency clinic right away and follow their instructions. For a more detailed walkthrough and what numbers may look like for different pets, visit How do I check my pet’s breathing and pulse at home during an emergency?.
Go immediately if your pet collapses, can’t breathe normally, has blue/gray gums, uncontrolled bleeding, repeated vomiting with weakness, a swollen painful abdomen, seizures, or suspected poisoning/heatstroke.
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