Animal Vitals Chart: Normal Temperature, Heart Rate & Respiration
Normal resting vital signs for the species GestationCalc covers. Print it, pin it in the barn, and know what an emergency looks like before you need to.
Quick Answer
Cattle run 100.4 to 102.5°F, sheep and goats up to 103.8°F, dogs and cats 99.5 to 102.5°F, and chickens 105 to 107°F. A fever in most mammals starts around 103°F. In late pregnancy, a temperature drop often predicts labor within a day in dogs and cats. When in doubt, call your vet with the number in hand.
Resting values for healthy adults; young animals run higher.
| Species | Rectal Temp (°F) | Heart Rate | Respiration | Gestation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle (beef & dairy)Calves up to 103°F | 100.4–102.5°F | 48–84 bpm | 26–50 /min | 283 days |
| Horse | 99.0–101.3°F | 28–44 bpm | 8–16 /min | 340 days |
| DonkeyRuns cooler than horses | 97.5–101.5°F | 36–52 bpm | 12–28 /min | 365 days |
| Sheep | 100.9–103.8°F | 70–80 bpm | 12–20 /min | 147 days |
| Goat | 101.3–103.5°F | 70–90 bpm | 12–20 /min | 150 days |
| PigPiglets up to 104°F | 101.6–103.6°F | 58–86 bpm | 8–20 /min | 114 days |
| Alpaca & Llama | 99.5–102.0°F | 60–90 bpm | 10–30 /min | 340–350 days |
| DogPuppies to 180 bpm; drop to 98–99°F predicts labor | 99.5–102.5°F | 60–140 bpm | 10–30 /min | 63 days |
| Cat | 100.5–102.5°F | 140–220 bpm | 20–30 /min | 65 days |
| RabbitStress raises readings fast | 100.5–103.5°F | 130–325 bpm | 30–60 /min | 31 days |
| ChickenBirds naturally run hot | 105.0–107.0°F | 250–300 bpm | 15–30 /min | 21 days (egg) |
Reference ranges compiled from the Merck Veterinary Manual and university extension veterinary references. Individual animals vary; your vet's exam matters more than any chart.
Reading Vitals in Late Pregnancy
Temperature is a labor predictor in two species covered on this site. In dogs, a drop from the normal 101 to 102.5°F range down to about 98 to 99°F means whelping will start within 12 to 24 hours; breeders take temperatures twice daily in the final week. In cats, watch for a drop of roughly 1°F from her normal baseline within a day of kittening. In livestock, temperature is less useful for predicting birth but critical afterward: a ewe or doe with a fever after delivery may have a retained placenta or metritis and needs a vet.
Pair this chart with your due dates: use the species gestation calculators to know when the monitoring window opens, and our dog labor signs guide for the full whelping timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal temperature for a cow?
A normal rectal temperature for adult cattle is 100.4 to 102.5°F (38.0 to 39.2°C). Readings above 103°F usually indicate fever or heat stress and warrant a closer look. Calves run slightly higher than adult cows, up to about 103°F.
What temperature means a dog is sick?
A dog's normal rectal temperature is 99.5 to 102.5°F. Above 103°F is a fever, and 106°F or higher is an emergency that can cause organ damage. During the last day of pregnancy, a drop to around 98 to 99°F signals that whelping will begin within about 24 hours.
How do I take an animal's temperature?
Use a digital rectal thermometer with lubricant. Insert gently about halfway up the thermometer tip and hold until it beeps. Clean it between animals. For poultry, temperatures are rarely taken rectally; behavior and comb color are more practical health indicators.
Why do baby animals have faster heart rates?
Small body size means faster metabolism, so young animals and small breeds have higher heart rates than adults of the same species. A puppy can rest at 180 beats per minute while a large adult dog rests at 60. Always compare against the range for the animal's age and size.
When should abnormal vitals trigger a vet call?
Call your veterinarian for a fever above the species range that persists more than a day, a temperature above 104.5 to 105°F in any animal, heart or breathing rates far outside the normal range at rest, or any abnormal reading combined with refusing food, lethargy, or discharge. In late pregnancy, abnormal vitals plus straining or distress need immediate help.
More Reference Tools
Kanika
Researched and reviewed by Kanika, founder of GestationCalc. All gestation data is verified against primary veterinary and agricultural sources before publication.
Last reviewed: September 26, 2026