Medicines reference
Clinical reference
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Normal values: dog and cat
A professional reference for veterinary specialists. It does not replace clinical judgement.
Clinical examination: adult animal at rest
| Parameter | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Body temperature Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. |
38-39.4 °C reference interval, 9,117 dogs: 37.7-39.5 °C Rectal. Younger dogs run somewhat higher. | 38-39.2 °C Kitten, newborn: 36-37 °C Kitten, 1 month: 38 °C |
| Heart rate Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. |
60-160 /min small breeds: 100-160 /min Puppy: 120-160 /min | 120-240 /min at home, telemetry: 132 ± 19 (mean ± SD) The same cats: 150 ± 23 in the clinic and 187 ± 25 when restrained. Stress in the clinic alone raises the rate. Kitten, first 2 weeks: 220-260 /min |
| Respiratory rate Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. |
10-30 /min | 24-42 /min Kitten, newborn: 10-18 /min Kitten, 1 week: 15-35 /min |
| Capillary refill time (CRT) Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. |
< 2 s Longer than 2 s suggests poor perfusion; the test is not very sensitive. | < 2 s Longer than 2 s suggests poor perfusion; the test is not very sensitive. |
| Mucous membranes Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. Reference book A veterinary reference written and reviewed by specialists, summarising accepted practice. The product label gives the authorised dose. |
pink, moist abnormal: pale, blue, yellow, dark red, dry or tacky | pink, moist abnormal: pale, blue, yellow, dark red, dry or tacky |
| Systolic blood pressure (normotensive) Guideline or consensus statement Recommendations agreed by a panel of veterinary specialists after reviewing the evidence. They guide practice and do not authorise a product. |
< 140 mmHg No single normal range fits every dog. Sighthounds read about 10-20 mmHg higher than mixed breeds. | < 140 mmHg No breed effect has been shown in cats. |
| SpO2 (oxygen saturation) Guideline or consensus statement Recommendations agreed by a panel of veterinary specialists after reviewing the evidence. They guide practice and do not authorise a product. |
≥ 95 % Below 95% is hypoxaemia, below 90% severe hypoxaemia (anaesthesia monitoring). | ≥ 95 % Below 95% is hypoxaemia, below 90% severe hypoxaemia (anaesthesia monitoring). |
| Urine output Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. Scientific article A study or review published in a scientific journal. Its findings apply to the animals and conditions it studied. |
1-2 ml/kg/h About 20-40 ml/kg a day. | Kitten, newborn: about 1 ml/kg/h 2.5 ml per 100 g of body weight a day. |
| Oliguria Guideline or consensus statement Recommendations agreed by a panel of veterinary specialists after reviewing the evidence. They guide practice and do not authorise a product. |
< 1 ml/kg/h Over 6 hours (IRIS grading of acute kidney injury). | < 1 ml/kg/h Over 6 hours (IRIS grading of acute kidney injury). |
Ranges for a calm adult animal. Excitement, stress in the clinic, pain, breed and body size shift them; read a value together with the whole examination.
Systolic blood pressure: risk categories
Guideline or consensus statementRecommendations agreed by a panel of veterinary specialists after reviewing the evidence. They guide practice and do not authorise a product.
Guideline or consensus statement
Recommendations agreed by a panel of veterinary specialists after reviewing the evidence. They guide practice and do not authorise a product.
Categories by the risk of damage to the target organs (kidneys, eyes, brain, heart). The diagnosis rests on repeated measurements taken calmly, after the animal has settled.
| Category | Systolic, dog and cat | Risk of target organ damage |
|---|---|---|
| Normotensive | < 140 mmHg | Minimal |
| Prehypertensive | 140-159 mmHg | Low |
| Hypertensive | 160-179 mmHg | Moderate |
| Severely hypertensive | ≥ 180 mmHg | High |
Sources
- Reference book. Blois S. Clinical Medicine 1: Small Animal Clinical Skills (open textbook), Vital parameters and hydration assessment. Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph (CC BY-NC 4.0) 2021
- Scientific article. Dorn E, Bogedale K, Pankraz A, Neiger R. Calculation of a reference interval for rectal temperature in adult dogs presenting for veterinary care using an algorithm for mixed data. Animals 14(13):1970 2024
- Scientific article. Little S. Playing mum: successful management of orphaned kittens. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 15(3):201-210 2013
- Reference book. California Veterinary Emergency Team. Vitals Chart: Normal Vital Signs. University of California, Davis 2024
- Scientific article. Abbott JA. Heart rate and heart rate variability of healthy cats in home and hospital environments. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 7(3):195-202 2005
- Guideline or consensus statement. Acierno MJ, Brown S, Coleman AE, et al. ACVIM consensus statement: Guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 32(6):1803-1822 2018
- Guideline or consensus statement. Grubb T, Sager J, Gaynor JS, et al. 2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 56(2):59-82 2020
- Scientific article. Schoeman JP. Approach to polyuria and polydipsia in the dog. WSAVA World Congress Proceedings 2008 2008
- Guideline or consensus statement. Pouchelon JL, Atkins CE, Bussadori C, et al. Cardiovascular-renal axis disorders in the domestic dog and cat: a veterinary consensus statement. Journal of Small Animal Practice 56(9):537-552 2015
Professional reference for veterinary professionals. Not advertising and not a substitute for the product label/SPC.
For veterinary professionals only. It does not replace clinical judgement or the product label; check the dose in the official label (SPC). vetman is not liable for harm caused by using this information.
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This reference is still growing. Missing a product? Let us know. · Report an error or request an addition · Updated: 22 Oct 2026