Where Is a Dog's Heart Located? Anatomy of the Canine Chest

Like humans, a dog's heart is located in the chest, but knowing more about the specific location and anatomy of the heart can be helpful for dog owners. The heart is located in the chest, just behind the sternum (breastbone), and it's positioned in the chest cavity toward the front and left side of the body. It's also located high in the chest cavity. The heart is positioned on the diaphragm between the right and left lung lobes.

The study we'll be looking at below goes into more detail about the exact position of the heart in the chest. It will also help you understand the structures that are near the heart and why it's important to be aware of your dog's heart health. Knowing where the heart is and how it's situated in the chest can help you better understand how it works and what to look for in terms of potential problems so you can make sure your dog gets the best care possible.

Canine Heart Anatomy

In many ways, the structure of a dog's heart is similar to that of a human. Like humans, dogs have a four-chambered heart with two atria and two ventricles. The right side of the heart sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs, and the left side sends oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

The heart also includes important components such as the tricuspid and mitral valves, which separate the atria from the ventricles. The pulmonary artery takes deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs to be oxygenated, and the aorta is the body's main artery, carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Knowing the basic structure and function of your dog's heart can help you catch potential problems early. This way, you can keep a closer eye on your pet's heart health and make sure they get the care they need if there are any issues. Once you understand these basic concepts, you'll be ready to learn some practical tips.

How to Take Your Dog's Heart Rate at Home

Pet parents can easily take their dog's heart rate at home by finding the pulse on the inside of the hind leg or behind the elbow. Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips for Dogs suggests counting the beats for 15-30 seconds and then multiplying to get the beats per minute (bpm).

Vetstreet suggests that a normal resting heart rate for dogs is between 60-140 bpm, with smaller dogs having a faster heart rate than larger dogs. However, it's important to know what's normal for your dog, as the range can be quite large. GoPetFriendly explains that a normal pulse for small dogs is between 90-160 bpm, while for larger dogs it's 65-90 bpm.

If your dog's heart rate is too high or too low, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem and you should talk to your vet. Keeping an eye on your dog's heart rate is an important part of making sure they're healthy.

What Determines Heart Size and Disease Risk?

While a dog’s heart size is generally proportional to its body size, there are some breed-specific differences that can impact heart health. Four Paws Veterinary Clinic notes that small dog breeds are more likely to develop mitral valve disease, which may be due to the disproportionate size of the heart. On the other hand, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is more common in large breed dogs and has been associated with the consumption of grain-free diets.

Genetics, nutrition, and other health issues can all play a role in determining a dog’s heart size and disease risk. A study published in PMC found that the extreme reduction in skeletal size in small dog breeds may cause the heart to become “crowded” in the chest, which can lead to valve malformations. Meanwhile, the FDA notes that more than 90% of DCM cases were in dogs that were fed grain-free diets.

Regular vet visits and monitoring a dog’s cardiovascular health can help ensure that any heart-related issues are caught and treated early. By learning about the factors that determine heart size and disease risk, dog owners can partner with their vets to help their pets live long, healthy lives.

How Dog and Human Heart Rates Compare

Dogs have higher average heart rates than humans, and smaller dogs have higher heart rates than larger dogs. In a study published in PubMed, the average heart rate in dogs (124.2 ± 18.8 bpm) was significantly higher than in human subjects (62.8 ± 7.4 bpm). While a dog's heart rate can be as low as 40 bpm or as high as 180 bpm, a human's resting heart rate typically falls between 60-100 bpm.

Breed, age, and exercise can all impact heart rate variability in dogs. The Spruce Pets explains that smaller breeds tend to have higher heart rates than medium and large breeds. Meanwhile, a study published in PMC found that dogs have greater beat-to-beat variability in heart rate than humans, and that some breeds, including Whippets, have a high prevalence of heart rate irregularities or arrhythmias.

Knowing these differences between dogs and humans can help dog owners keep an eye on their pet's heart health and catch potential problems early. By learning what's normal for their dog, owners can be on the lookout for changes in heart rate that may indicate a problem that needs to be addressed by a vet.

Heart Rate Variability During Exercise and Physical Activity

Just like in people, a dog's heart rate goes up when they're exercising or being active. A study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science showed that treadmill exercise significantly increased heart rate (HR) in healthy dogs, with a mean increase of 20 bpm during walking compared to before exercise. The study also showed normal HR ranges in healthy dogs, with resting HR at 102-103 bpm, pre-exercise HR at 96-102 bpm, HR during walking at 117-121 bpm, and HR 15-60 seconds post-exercise at 103-108 bpm.

These normal heart rate ranges can be different for different dogs based on their size and fitness level. Healthy Pet Mobile Vet explains that in general, larger dogs have slower heart rates, while puppies can have heart rates as high as 160-200 bpm. Watching how a dog's heart rate changes during and after exercise can be a way to understand their physiological response to exercise and help determine rehabilitation protocols. In fact, the study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science found that only measuring HR post-exercise may underestimate the workload and stress the dog experienced during exercise.

If a dog's heart rate varies significantly from what's expected, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition or that the dog is being overexerted. So, monitoring a dog's heart rate during exercise can be a way to make sure that an exercise program is safe and effective.

Monitoring Heart Health at Home

Monitoring your pet's resting respiration rate is extremely helpful for identifying worsening of heart disease or determining whether current medications are controlling congestive heart failure well enough, according to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center. The best time to assess your pet's respiration rate is while it is sleeping.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation also recommends using the Resting Respiration Rate app to track your dog's heart health at home and communicate values to your veterinarian. This can help your vet better assess and understand the true state of your dog's cardiovascular health.

Early diagnosis of heart disease and appropriate treatment and management are key to helping dogs live happy, comfortable lives. By monitoring your dog's heart health and working closely with your veterinarian, you can take proactive steps to ensure your furry companion's wellbeing.

Conclusion: The Importance of Monitoring Heart Health

Understanding the location and anatomy of a dog's heart is crucial for recognizing potential issues. Monitoring heart rate, both at rest and during activity, can provide valuable insights into a dog's cardiovascular health. Factors like breed, size, age, and nutrition can impact heart size, disease risk, and heart rate patterns.

Regular veterinary check-ups and open communication with your vet are essential for maintaining your dog's heart health. Early detection and management of heart issues can help dogs live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives.