The Normal Dog Heart Rate, and Detecting Hidden Health Issues Through Monitoring

For pet parents, keeping our dogs healthy often means paying close attention to subtle signs. But many serious health conditions can remain hidden, showing no visible symptoms until it’s too late. Heart rate is one such essential but frequently overlooked health indicator. It’s important to ensure your buddy has a normal dog heart rate.

As Carolina Domingues, DVM, veterinarian at Maven Pet, explains, “Heart rate is a critical indicator of a dog’s overall health and internal condition. Regular monitoring helps detect potential health issues, stress, or changes in physical well-being often before any obvious symptoms appear.”

With the launch of heart rate monitoring in tools like the Maven pet smart collar, pet parents can now gain ongoing insights into their dog’s heart health, enhancing their ability to provide proactive care.

Understanding Your Dog’s Normal Heart Rate

Your dog’s heart rate, measured in beats per minute (BPM), varies by age, size, and breed. According to guidelines from the American Kennel Club (AKC):

• Puppies: Typically have resting heart rates ranging from 120 to 160 BPM.
• Adult small-to-medium-sized dogs: Usually between 70 to 120 BPM.
• Adult large and giant breeds: Generally lower, between 60 and 100 BPM.
  

As established, the normal dog heart rate can vary. Natural variations occur due to exercise, excitement, anxiety, or hot weather. Knowing what’s normal for your dog helps you spot early signs of trouble.

The Value of Continuous Heart Rate Monitoring

Traditional veterinary visits provide only a brief snapshot of heart rate, influenced by stress from the visit—commonly called “white coat syndrome.”

Continuous monitoring, however, tracks long-term trends. Dr. Domingues highlights: “Tracking heart rate trends over days and weeks offers far deeper insights compared to occasional checks at veterinary clinics. It allows for earlier detection of subtle but significant health changes, enabling vets to make informed decisions with comprehensive data.”

Tools like a pet health app provide preventive healthcare data, potentially avoiding emergencies.

Health Issues Revealed by Heart Rate Monitoring

Heart rate abnormalities in dogs can indicate several underlying issues. Research published in the Journal of Veterinary Cardiology notes these concerns include:

• Heart Disease: Arrhythmias and congestive heart failure first show as abnormal heart patterns.
• Pain or Discomfort: Chronic discomfort elevates heart rate, often unnoticed without monitoring.
• Anxiety and Stress: Chronic stress frequently elevates resting heart rates.
• Infections and Fever: Illnesses cause elevated heart rates even before symptoms emerge.
• Post-Surgical Complications: Early identification can be crucial, particularly in vulnerable dogs.
  

Regular tracking identifies these issues early, enabling timely interventions – hence the importance of a dog heart rate monitor.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Is your pup in danger? When should you be concerned about variations regarding their normal dog heart rate? 

Consult a veterinarian if:

• Your dog’s heart rate consistently falls outside normal ranges (above 160 BPM or below 60 BPM at rest for adults).
• Sudden, unexplained fluctuations occur.
• Abnormal heart rates coincide with symptoms like lethargy, coughing, difficulty breathing, or loss of appetite.

Prompt consultation significantly improves health outcomes (American Veterinary Medical Association).

Dogs That Benefit Most from Heart Rate Monitoring

Certain dogs particularly benefit from continuous heart rate tracking:

• Dogs with heart disease: Manage treatments effectively.
• Senior dogs: Higher risk of subtle health changes.
• Post-surgery dogs: Early complication detection speeds recovery.
• Dogs with chronic illnesses: Diabetes, arthritis, or cancer affect heart rate.
• Anxious or reactive dogs: Identifying stress triggers improves quality of life.
  

How Maven Pet’s Heart Rate Monitoring Works

The Maven dog health tracker is more than a dog heart rate monitor. It integrates heart rate data with other wellness metrics such as respiratory rate, sleep patterns, activity levels, and itch behaviors.

Technical Overview (Beta Version):

• Heart rate measurements taken every 30 seconds during rest.
• Valid measurements meet specific accuracy criteria.
• Data summaries include:
  
  • Daily: Shows average heart rate in 30-minute intervals.
  • Weekly: Displays daily minimum, maximum, and average heart rates.
    Monthly: Tracks longer-term trends for early detection of subtle health changes.
    

By combining heart rate data with other metrics, Maven alerts pet parents to early health changes before they escalate.

Why Health Monitoring Matters Most

While GPS tracking is popular, it isn’t necessary for every pet. As Dr. Domingues notes, “Not all dogs and cats roam extensively. But every pet parent values reliable health insights.” Comprehensive wellness monitoring, as offered by Maven, focuses on essential health indicators, rather than solely location tracking.

Key Takeaways

• Continuous heart rate monitoring identifies hidden health conditions before they become serious.
• Normal dog heart rates vary by breed, size, and age; knowing your dog’s baseline is critical.
• Conditions like heart disease, stress, pain, and infections often manifest first as heart rate abnormalities.
• Proactive monitoring is particularly beneficial for senior, anxious, chronically ill, or post-surgery dogs.
• Maven’s integrated tracking (heart rate, respiratory rate, sleep, activity) delivers deeper, actionable health insights.
• Health monitoring provides preventive care beyond traditional GPS-focused pet trackers.
  

A dog heart rate monitor with continuous tracking is not a luxury—it’s an essential tool for proactive, preventive pet care.

---

---

Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.