The best person to detect early illness in your dog isn't your vet — it's you. You see your dog every day. You know their normal energy level, appetite, gait, and personality. The challenge is knowing what "normal" actually looks like in objective terms, so that changes register as flags rather than going unnoticed until they're serious. This guide establishes the baselines you should know for your dog specifically.
Normal Vital Signs
| Vital Sign | Normal Range | How to Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Body temperature | 101–102.5°F (38.3–39.2°C) | Rectal thermometer; ear thermometers less accurate |
| Heart rate (small dog) | 100–140 bpm | Feel inside back leg at femoral artery, count 15 sec × 4 |
| Heart rate (large dog) | 60–100 bpm | Same method |
| Respiratory rate | 15–30 breaths/minute | Count chest rises for 30 seconds × 2 |
| Capillary refill time | Under 2 seconds | Press gum above tooth, release, count until pink returns |
| Gum color | Bubble-gum pink and moist | Lift lip and check color and moisture of gums |
Physical Health Markers
- Coat: Should be glossy (for short coats) or full and fluffy (for long coats). Dull, brittle, or excessively shedding coat signals nutritional deficiency, thyroid issues, or skin conditions.
- Eyes: Should be clear, bright, and free of discharge. A small amount of "sleep" (dried discharge) in corners is normal. Cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, red whites, or squinting are not.
- Ears: Should be pale pink inside with minimal odor. Dark discharge, strong odor, head shaking, or pawing at ears indicates infection.
- Nose: Can be wet or dry — both are normal. Cold and wet is a myth. Cracking, bleeding, or significant discharge is not normal.
- Stools: Should be firm, formed, chocolate brown, and passed with little straining. A useful reference: ideal stools score 2–3 on the Purina Fecal Scoring Chart (Google it — it's genuinely useful).
- Weight/Body Condition: You should be able to feel ribs easily without pressing hard, but not see them from a distance. See our healthy weight guide.
Behavioral Baselines
Changes in behavior are often the earliest indicator of illness — before any physical symptoms appear. Know your dog's normal in these areas:
- Appetite: How much do they typically eat per meal? Skipping one meal occasionally is normal; skipping two or eating significantly less for 48+ hours is a flag.
- Water intake: Approximate normal consumption. Drinking significantly more (polydipsia) is a symptom of diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing's disease.
- Energy level: What's their typical activity level at 7 AM? 7 PM? After a walk? Lethargy below their normal baseline for 24+ hours warrants attention.
- Sleep: Dogs sleep 12–14 hours daily. Sleeping significantly more or less than usual is notable.
- Gait: Any limping, stiffness getting up, reluctance to climb stairs, or asymmetrical movement is a musculoskeletal flag.
Keeping a Simple Health Log
You don't need a formal system — just a note in your phone with your dog's baseline numbers (weight, typical appetite, normal energy level) updated annually at vet visits. When something changes, you'll have a reference point that helps your vet understand how significant the change is.