Softly press your fingertips against upper inner thigh of pet. You can also place your hand against chest behind left front leg. The normal resting dog or cat heart beats between 80 and 150 times/minute. Rapid heartbeats can indicate pain, heart disease or shock, especially if pulse is weak. If pet faints or has seizures, slow beats can also point to disease. As with temperature, levels are lower with rest and higher with exercise and excitement.