Know your dog's normal

You can only catch "something's wrong" if you know what "right" looks like for your dog. Spend a calm few minutes learning your dog's baseline — then a change jumps out at you early, when it's cheapest and easiest to fix.

The numbers worth knowing

• Resting breathing: most dogs take about 15–30 breaths per minute at rest or asleep. Count for 30 seconds and double it. A resting rate consistently over ~35–40 is worth a call.
• Temperature: a dog's normal is about 101–102.5°F — warmer than ours. Over ~103.5°F or under 99°F, call your vet.
• Gums: should be bubble-gum pink and moist. Press a spot with your finger — the color should return in under 2 seconds. Pale, white, blue, or brick-red gums are an emergency.
• Heart rate: roughly 60–140 beats per minute (small dogs faster, big dogs slower).

The everyday baseline

Know your dog's normal appetite, energy, thirst, and bathroom habits — and their normal weight and shape. You should be able to feel the ribs easily under a light layer, with a visible waist from above. Notice how they normally move, sleep, and greet you.

Do this now

Once, while your dog is healthy and relaxed, write down their resting breathing rate, gum color, weight, and normal habits, and keep it in their profile. It's the most useful reference you'll have when something feels off.

This is general education, not veterinary advice. When your dog's normal changes and doesn't bounce back, your vet is the next call.