To measure your pet's heart rate at home here are a few suggestions. Start by being in a calm state and comforting your cat or dog, either in your lap or in a safe area that they can relax. For the heart rate, placing a hand under the chest wall behind the front legs. Thumb on one side and fingers on the other. Light pressure in and out close to the elbows will pick up the beat of the heart between the ribs. Read more