Knowing how to recognize the signs that your pet is choking can help you act quickly and reduce your pet’s risk of injury or death. Knowing how to do the Heimlich maneuver can save your pet’s life in an emergency. Here is a guide to recognizing the signs of choking or breathing problems and performing the Heimlich maneuver on your cat or dog.
Warning Signs Your Pet is Choking or Can’t Breathe
If your pet is choking or can’t breathe, you might notice them:
- Coughing or retching
- Gagging
- Wheezing
- Trying to inhale or breathe but without any noise or sound
- Pawing at their mouth
- Acting frantic and/or running around the house
- Rubbing their mouth or face on the floor or objects
- Drooling or salivating
- Losing consciousness
What to Do if Your Pet is Choking
If your pet is choking, you must work quickly to prevent lack of oxygen or loss of consciousness. First, try to look in your pet’s mouth to locate a piece of food or a foreign object. If you can see the object causing the blockage, use a sweeping motion to try to move it out of your pet’s mouth, throat, or airway. Do not push or pull it, as you could cause it to become more firmly lodged.
Performing the Heimlich Maneuver on Cats and Dogs
If you can’t see the object or remove it, you should perform the Heimlich maneuver. Put your pet on their back and locate the soft spot under their ribs. Use the palm of your hand to apply firm pressure and make upward and inward thrusting motions. Repeat this action five times and then put your pet on their side and check their mouth again.
If you have a large dog, you can hold them upright in a standing position and put your arms around them, so they join at the abdomen. Make a fist with your hands and push upwards and forwards firmly in a thrusting motion at least five times. Then check their mouth to remove the foreign object. Even if your pet is breathing again, you should take your pet to their regular veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital right away.
Visiting a Pet Emergency Services Hospital When Your Pet is Choking
If you can’t perform the Heimlich or clear your pet’s mouth, throat, or airway, you must take them to an emergency pet hospital right away. Even if you clear a piece of food or a foreign object from your pet’s mouth or throat, you should still take them to their veterinarian or a pet hospital to make sure they do not have any injuries.
At Animal Emergency Clinic North East, we offer 24/7 emergency pet services in Humble, TX. We specialize in pet emergency care, medical services, diagnostic services, surgery, radiology, and more. We will act quickly to triage your pet and get them the care they need. Come in right away for emergency pet care, or call us now to let us know you’re on your way.