How to measure · 6 min read
How to Measure a Dog’s Breathing Rate Without Disturbing Rest
A practical, veterinarian-aligned home guide to measuring dog breathing rate while your dog is resting or sleeping.
Updated 2026-04-30
Choose the right moment
Measure when your dog is sleeping or resting calmly. Avoid measuring right after exercise, excitement, heat, stress, or active panting. PDSA also notes that dreaming can speed up breathing, so a non-dreaming sleep moment is better for a resting respiratory rate.
A quiet room matters. Background noise, movement, and panting can make any automatic dog breathing monitor less reliable.
Manual counting method
Watch the rise and fall of the chest. One full rise and fall equals one breath. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two, or count for a full 60 seconds. PDSA also describes a 15-second count multiplied by four, but a longer window may feel steadier for many owners.
Write the result down with context: sleeping, resting quietly, just woke up, hot weather, or after exercise. Context helps your veterinarian interpret the numbers.
Using AuraDog Auto mode
AuraDog Auto mode uses the iPhone microphone for a short audio-based breathing check. Hold the phone or place it beside your dog with the microphone about 1–3 cm from the nose, then record for 30 or 60 seconds.
Automatic measurement is only an estimate. If the room is noisy, your dog moves, or the result looks unlike your dog’s normal baseline, repeat the check or use Manual mode. AuraDog results are for reference and are not medical advice.