Dogs of any size will attempt to dislodge any object in their mouths by coughing and lurching forward. Step in to assist when this coughing turns into a gasping sound called a stridor, which is a harsh, abnormal, high-pitched sound. If you hear that sound, your pup needs you calmly to perform the Heimlich maneuver designed for dogs.
As a master certified pet first-aid/CPR instructor for 12 years and founder of Pet First Aid 4U, I train pet parents and pet professionals in the veterinarian-approved way to perform abdominal thrusts safely and effectively on dogs and puppies.
Step-by-step guide to performing the Heimlich maneuver for small dogs
For small dogs with airways partially or completely blocked by an object, follow these steps:
- Stand and hold your dog with his back against your stomach.
- Hold him up with one arm around his upper abdomen.
- With your other hand, make a fist (tuck in your thumb).
- Position your closed fist at the end of ribcage in the soft spot.
- Thrust your fist in and upward five times in a row on the dog’s exhale to try to dislodge the object.
- Every five thrusts, open and inspect the mouth to see if you can dislodge any object.
- Be ready to perform rescue breaths if the dog becomes unconscious. Use your speaker function on your cellphone to alert the nearest veterinary clinic of your arrival as you continue the abdominal thrusts.
Step-by-step guide to performing the Heimlich maneuver for medium to large dogs
For medium to large dogs whose airways are partially or completely blocked by an object, follow these steps:
- Stand behind your dog if he is standing.
- With one hand, make a fist and tuck in your thumb.
- Position this closed fist at the soft spot just past the ribcage.
- Use your other open-palm hand to hold this fist in place.
- Thrust your hands up and forward (toward the dog’s mouth) five times in a row on the dog’s exhale to try to dislodge the object.
- Every five thrusts, open and inspect the mouth to see if you can dislodge any object.
- Be ready to perform rescue breaths if your dog becomes unconscious.
- Use your speaker function on your cellphone to alert the nearest veterinary clinic of your arrival as you continue the abdominal thrusts.
Dr. Judy Morgan who runs Dr. Judy Morgan’s Naturally Healthy Pets offers an additional option if the object is wedged in the back of the throat and cannot be safely removed:
“If the dog is lying down, stabilize the pet by placing one hand on the spine and thrust upward under the ribcage with the (closed) fist of your second hand,” she instructs. “Repeat the thrust four or five times, checking the mouth after each attempt to see if the object has dislodged.”
How common are dog choking incidents?
Tragically, more than 200,000 choking incidents among dogs and cats occur each year in the United States. Veterinary care to treat these pets tops $500,000 annually, according to veterinary experts.
“A dog in respiratory distress will be a scared dog,” says Dr. Judy Morgan, who practiced veterinary medicine for 36 years. “I saw many choking cases during my career, and some of these cases did not have good outcomes, which is very sad as this is something that is preventable.”
Any dog of any age or size can choke on almost anything. An object gets stuck in a dog’s throat, blocks an airway and renders the dog unconscious. It is a pet parent’s worst nightmare. And it can happen quickly and unexpectedly.
Just ask Ryan Shaw, a certified professional dog trainer at What A Great Dog! training center in Texas. She was conducting an agility class when one of her students encouraged her small terrier Calli to nibble on the end of a hot dog she held in her hand.
“Suddenly, Calli ate the whole hot dog, started gagging and two seconds later, she was not breathing,” recalls Ryan. “I learned how to do the Heimlich maneuver in a pet first-aid class. I grabbed the dog, cradled her in my arm and performed abdominal thrusts. I then turned her upside down, hit her sharply on her back about four times and the hot dog popped out and landed on the floor. The dog recovered very quickly and resumed normal breathing, but it all happened so quickly.”
Raising awareness about pet choking: National Pet Choking Prevention Day
Sharing her need to prevent choking in pets is Johnna Devereaux, a clinical pet nutritionist and chief nutrition officer at Bow Wow Labs. This company creates the Bow Wow Buddy, a device to hold its line of Safe Fit Bully Sticks. This device securely holds a chew in place to allow a dog to chew without choking on the last bit.
“No matter the size of the chew or treat, always supervise your dog when they are consuming something,” says Johnna. “Dogs don’t have the tactile ability to hold small pieces in their paws, so they take them whole into their mouths. This can be a recipe for disaster.”
Dr. Morgan and Johnna are teaming up to launch the first National Pet Choking Prevention Day on June 22. Sponsored by Bow Wow Labs, the mission is to educate pet parents and pet professionals on solutions that can help eliminate pet choking incidents on long-term chews and other objects. Learn more at the National Pet Choking Prevention Day website.
“Through education and national awareness, we hope to bring that staggering number of pet choking incidents down to zero, because the best and worst part of choking is that it is preventable,” says Johnna.
How to prevent your dog from choking
Dr. Morgan urges pet parents to know their dogs’ eating and playing styles.
“It is important to understand how each individual dog handles treats, food and long-lasting chews,” she says. “Some will try to gulp them while others will chew off small bits at a time. Supervision is critical.”
Recognize that dogs love to chew, adds Johnna.
“The natural act of chewing supports so many different bodily systems,” says Johnna. “Benefits include supporting oral health by massaging the gums, engaging the jaw muscles and providing friction against teeth to act like a natural brush to help boost oral care. The act of chewing releases serotonin, which supports a healthy and calm state of mind.”
Dr. Morgan and Johnna recommend pet parents enroll in pet first aid classes offered in person and online that address ways to prevent and to provide on-the-scene first-aid for dogs choking.
“Every pet parent should watch a video on performing the Heimlich maneuver or take a course in pet first-aid,” says Dr. Judy. “Having knowledge prior to an incident will save valuable time and, potentially, save the life of a dog.”
Johnna and Dr. Morgan also recommend these preventive tips to reduce the risk of your dog choking on an object:
- No toy should be able to fit inside a pet’s mouth, as it can easily cause choking and block the airway.
- Choose tennis balls that are wider than the width of a dog’s jaw so these won’t get stuck inside the mouth during a game of fetch.
- Routinely do a pet safety check in each room of your house to make sure that small objects are not within reach of a curious dog. This includes items such as a plastic container of dental floss or a toddler’s small doll.
- Carefully scrutinize when selecting chews and treats. Safer examples include dehydrated meats, pizzle sticks and soft chews, says Dr. Morgan.
Here is a rundown of some everyday items that a dog can swallow that cause choking and even trigger unconsciousness:
- Avocado pits
- Baby bottle nipples
- Baby carrots
- Balls (tennis, rubber)
- Bully sticks
- Buttons
- Cellphone
- Corncobs
- Dental floss
- Diapers
- Fishhooks
- Food wrappers
- Game pieces
- Hair ties
- Hot dogs
- Jewelry
- Kibble pieces
- Rawhide chews
- Refrigerator magnets
- Rocks
- Rubber bands
- Sticks
- Sewing supplies
- Shoelaces
- Socks
- Squeakers from plush toys
- Sponges
- Tampons
- Tinsel
- Underwear
- Window blind cords
- Yarn
