How-To Videos

An icon depicting a video play button

Take care of your pet at home with these step-by-step video tutorials

  • Wellness
    veterinarian and vet tech taking a dog's temperature
    April 08, 2024

    How to Take Your Dog’s Temperature

    Enlist a helper to hold your dog still. Lubricate a fast-acting rectal thermometer, and insert it into your dog’s rectum just past the thermometer’s tip. Hold it steady until it beeps. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 100.2 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Play

    How to Take Your Dog’s Temperature

    Enlist a helper to hold your dog still. Lubricate a fast-acting rectal thermometer, and insert it into your dog’s rectum just past the thermometer’s tip. Hold it steady until it beeps. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 100.2 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Cat respiratory rate
    February 04, 2024

    How to Measure Respiratory (Breathing) Rate in a Cat

    Cats at rest normally take 30 or less breaths per minute. The breathing should be smooth, with exhales taking longer than inhales.  To check your cat’s respiratory rate, count the number of times the cat’s chest rises (inhales) and falls (exhales). Each rise/fall combination equals one breath. Count for 30 seconds and then multiply by 2 to get the number of breaths per minute. A normal resting/sleeping respiratory rate for cats is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute.

    Play

    How to Measure Respiratory (Breathing) Rate in a Cat

    Cats at rest normally take 30 or less breaths per minute. The breathing should be smooth, with exhales taking longer than inhales.  To check your cat’s respiratory rate, count the number of times the cat’s chest rises (inhales) and falls (exhales). Each rise/fall combination equals one breath. Count for 30 seconds and then multiply by 2 to get the number of breaths per minute. A normal resting/sleeping respiratory rate for cats is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute.

  • Wellness
    dog sleeping, measure respiratory rate
    February 04, 2024

    How to Measure Respiratory (Breathing) Rate in a Dog

    ⏱️ Learning to count your dog’s resting respiratory rate can help determine if they are seriously ill. To check your dog’s respiratory rate, count the number of times the dog’s chest rises (inhales) and falls (exhales). Each rise/fall combination equals one breath. Count for 30 seconds and then multiply by 2 to get the number of breaths per minute. A normal resting/sleeping respiratory rate for dogs is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute.  A rate greater than 40 breaths per minute indicates the need for a visit to the emergency room.

    Play

    How to Measure Respiratory (Breathing) Rate in a Dog

    ⏱️ Learning to count your dog’s resting respiratory rate can help determine if they are seriously ill. To check your dog’s respiratory rate, count the number of times the dog’s chest rises (inhales) and falls (exhales). Each rise/fall combination equals one breath. Count for 30 seconds and then multiply by 2 to get the number of breaths per minute. A normal resting/sleeping respiratory rate for dogs is between 15 and 30 breaths per minute.  A rate greater than 40 breaths per minute indicates the need for a visit to the emergency room.

  • Dentistry
    brushing a cat's teeth
    February 04, 2024

    How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth

    Brushing your cat’s teeth daily is crucial for maintaining oral health and preventing dental disease. If you’re unsure how to begin, our video is the perfect starting point! We’ll guide you through easy steps to get your cat comfortable with toothbrushing, using gentle techniques and positive reinforcement.

    Play

    How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth

    Brushing your cat’s teeth daily is crucial for maintaining oral health and preventing dental disease. If you’re unsure how to begin, our video is the perfect starting point! We’ll guide you through easy steps to get your cat comfortable with toothbrushing, using gentle techniques and positive reinforcement.

  • Subcutaneous fluids setup
    June 23, 2022

    How to Set Up Subcutaneous Fluids

    A step-by-step guide to setting up subcutaneous fluids for administration to pets.

    Play

    How to Set Up Subcutaneous Fluids

    A step-by-step guide to setting up subcutaneous fluids for administration to pets.

Explore the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education