Your Dog Is Choking - What to Do Next

Our dogs love to munch down everything from food to toys to even shoes and socks. We’ve all been there! While those big items are very scary and need to be addressed, your dog might start to choke when ingesting something that gets stuck in his windpipe. And, in that moment, it’s very important to know what to do next and act immediately.

Signs That Your Dog is Choking

Before rushing into action, you must first confirm whether your dog is actually choking. Dogs can gag, cough, or make choking-like sounds for other reasons, such as respiratory infections or reverse sneezing.

However, if your dog is choking, they may exhibit the following signs:

•  Pawing at their mouth in distress

• Gagging, coughing, or making high-pitched sounds while struggling to breathe

• Visible distress or panic

•  Inability to breathe or labored breathing

• Bluish or pale gums due to lack of oxygen· 

• Collapsing due to severe oxygen deprivation

If Your Dog is Choking, You Need to Act Quickly

Try to stay calm and do the following:

The first thing to do is to check your dog’s mouth and throat for any object that might be lodged there. Dogs can choke on just about anything that is the size of the opening to the trachea, but the most common objects are small balls, real bones, cellophane, and children’s plastic toys. 

Use both hands to open your dog’s mouth, using one hand on the upper jaw and the other on the lower. 

If your dog is conscious and struggling to breathe, gently open their mouth and look for any visible objects lodged in the throat. Do not attempt to blindly sweep your dog’s mouth with your hand, as this could push the object further down their throat.

Tip: Use a flashlight, if possible, to get a better view of the back of your dog’s throat.

Try to Remove the Object

If you can see the object, carefully use your fingers to remove it. Be cautious not to push the object deeper. You can use tweezers or tongs for objects that are difficult to reach but do so with extreme care to avoid injuring your dog.

Perform the Heimlich Maneuver

If the object is not easily removable or your dog is unconscious, you may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Here’s how to do it depending on your dog’s size:

For Small Dogs:

Pick up your dog and turn them upside down with their back against your chest. Use your hands to apply firm pressure just below their ribcage, pushing in and upwards. Perform this motion a few times to attempt to dislodge the object.

For Larger Dogs:

Stand behind your dog and wrap your arms around their waist, just behind their ribcage. Use both hands to apply quick, firm pressure upwards, similar to performing the Heimlich on a human.

After performing the Heimlich maneuver, check your dog’s mouth again to see if the object has been dislodged and can now be removed.

CPR (if necessary)

If your dog has become unconscious and is no longer breathing, it’s critical to perform CPR.

1. Start by checking your dog’s airway, clearing any obstructions, and then begin rescue breathing:

2. Close your dog’s mouth and breathe directly into their nose until you see their chest rise.

3.  Continue at a rate of one breath every 4-5 seconds.

4. Perform chest compressions (30 compressions for every 2 breaths) if you don’t detect a heartbeat.

Go To Your Vet Immediately

Regardless of whether you successfully remove the object, you must take your dog to the vet immediately after any choking incident. Choking can cause injuries to the throat or lungs, and your vet can assess your dog’s condition and provide any necessary aftercare.

 How to Prevent Future Choking Incidents

While it’s impossible to prevent every potential choking hazard, you can take steps to reduce the risk:

Monitor toys: Make sure your dog’s toys are appropriate for their size. Avoid toys with small parts that can break off and be swallowed.

Supervise your dog during meals: If your dog tends to gulp food, consider using a slow feeder or dividing their meals into smaller portions.

Choose safe treats: Avoid giving your dog bones, rawhide, or other hard treats that can splinter or become lodged in their throat.

Keep hazardous items out of reach: Common household items like rubber bands, string, and small objects can be choking hazards. Be mindful of what’s within your dog’s reach.

Choking can be a very scary event for you and your dog. It is a serious emergency that requires swift action. By staying calm, knowing the signs of choking, and being prepared to act quickly, you can save your dog’s life in a dangerous situation. And make sure to see your vet immediately after.