Just like in humans, a dog’s resting breathing rate (RBR) — or the number of breaths they take each minute while resting or sleeping — can tell you a lot about their health.
Paying attention to your dog’s normal resting breathing rate is a simple way to keep an eye out for potential health problems, including heart or respiratory issues.
This article will explain how to accurately measure your dog’s RBR and what those numbers might mean for their overall well-being.
Understanding Normal Resting Breathing Rate (RBR) in Dogs
It’s worth knowing what your dog’s normal breathing rate is when they’re resting or sleeping so that you can tell if something’s amiss. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Defining “Normal”
A normal resting or sleeping breathing rate for dogs is usually between 15 and 30 breaths per minute, although some sources say 20 breaths per minute or fewer when sleeping and fewer than 30 breaths per minute when awake and relaxed.
Keep in mind that the following factors can influence a dog’s breathing rate:
- Age
- Breed
- Size
- Environmental temperature
- Stress
- Recent exercise
- Excitement
Why “Normal” Matters
Knowing your dog’s normal resting breathing rate is important because it gives you a baseline for comparison. If you know what’s normal for your dog, you’ll be more likely to notice any deviations that might point to a health issue.
That’s why it’s important to track your dog’s breathing rate on a regular basis so you can establish what’s normal for your dog.
How to measure your dog’s resting breathing rate (RBR)
Tracking your dog’s breathing rate is pretty easy, and it’s a good habit to get into.
Before you start
Be sure your dog is calm and relaxed. Ideally, your dog should be sleeping or resting quietly. Avoid measuring your dog’s breathing rate right after they’ve been exercising or at times when they’re stressed or anxious.
How to measure
Watch your dog’s chest or abdomen. Every time it rises and falls, that’s one breath. Use the timer on your phone or watch to time 15 or 30 seconds.
- If you time for 15 seconds, multiply the number of breaths you counted by 4 to get the breaths per minute.
- If you time for 30 seconds, multiply the number of breaths you counted by 2 to get the breaths per minute.
- If you prefer, you can time for a full 60 seconds and just count the breaths directly.
Tips for accuracy
It’s a good idea to measure your dog’s breathing rate a few times over a couple of hours to make sure you’re getting consistent results. Keep a record of the breathing rates you find in a notebook, on a calendar, or on your phone.
When to be concerned
It’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s resting breathing rate. If their RBR is consistently above 30 breaths per minute when they’re resting or asleep, that’s not normal, and you should take them to the vet.
Other signs of heart disease or heart failure can include:
- Rapid breathing
- Labored breathing
- Restlessness
- Coughing
- Weakness
- Reduced appetite
Talk to your veterinarian about how often you should monitor your dog’s RBR. And if you think your dog is having a medical emergency, get them to a vet immediately.
Putting It All Together
Tracking your dog’s resting breathing rate at home is a great way to detect potential health problems early, so you can be more involved in your dog’s health care.
By checking your dog’s RBR regularly and keeping a record of what you find, you can establish a baseline and quickly spot any changes that might suggest a problem.
Of course, if you’re ever worried about your dog’s breathing rate or overall health, be sure to contact your veterinarian.