If your cat or dog is choking it's important to act fast. Immediately call your vet for advice. Many veterinarians suggest the following steps to help a choking pet.
Signs of a Choking Cat & Dog Choking
If your beloved pet is choking one or more of the following signs may be seen:
- Distress
- Pawing at the mouth
- Rubbing their face against the ground
- Gagging or retching
- Salivation
- Coughing
- Blue mucous membranes (cyanosis)
If your dog or cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, follow the steps below and get to our office as soon as possible for emergency intervention.
How To Help a Choking Dog or Cat
Remove The Object if Possible
If your pet is choking because a cord, string or other item is wrapped around the neck, carefully use a pair of scissors to cut it off.
If the cat or dog is choking on something lodged in their mouth or throat, safely open their mouth to see if you can locate the object. If you can see it, you might want to try to swipe it away with your finger.
If you cannot see it contact the emergency vet immediately! Don't try to poke your finger down your pet's throat in an effort to find it, as this can cause injury. If you can't dislodge the object by swiping it away, do not try to poke it or push on it, as this could force it further down the throat.
Heimlich Maneuver for Cats & Dogs
If you are not able to remove the object your pet is choking on, you could try to do a pet Heimlich maneuver:
- Lay your pet on their side.
- Hold your pet's back against your stomach (head up, paws down).
- With one hand, find the soft hollow under the ribs (your closed fist should fit into this spot).
- Use the hand on your pet's stomach to pull up and in two or three times, toward your own stomach, using a sharp thrusting motion.
- Check the mouth to determine if the object has been dislodged.
CPR
If this doesn’t work and your cat or dog loses their pulse, you may want to apply CPR at approximately 120 chest compressions per minute and continue these until you get to the emergency veterinary hospital.
What to do After the Choking has Stopped
Even if you manage to remove the object that is choking your cat or dog, it is wise to bring your pet to the vet anyway. The vet will be able to ensure that the choking didn't cause any harm to your pet's body that you can't see.
Preventing Future Choking
To minimize the chances of your pet choking in the future, make sure to keep an eye on anything that could be a potential choking hazard.
Generally, dog and cat food is formulated with the animal's size in mind, but it's always a good idea to monitor them when they are eating anyway.
Monitor your dog or cat during play and make sure any toys do not include pieces that could break off and become potential choking hazards.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
If your pet is choking contact our emergency animal hospital right away! Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is open 365 days a year to provide Tucson pets with urgent and critical care.