What to Do If Your Dog Is Choking: A Guide for Dog Owners
As dog owners, we do everything we can to keep our dogs safe, but accidents can happen. One of the most frightening situations is if your dog starts choking. Knowing how to act quickly and calmly could make all the difference. Sadly, I would know as I have had to deal with 2 choking incidences. Thankfully both were positive outcomes and survived. However, had I not had my training, I don't think the outcome would have been the same...
Recognising the Signs of Choking
Choking in dogs happens when something becomes lodged in their throat, partially or fully blocking their airway.
Signs to watch for include:
Gagging or retching without bringing anything up.
Excessive drooling or frothing at the mouth.
Pawing at their mouth or face.
Difficulty breathing, with loud wheezing or gasping sounds.
Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the gums, tongue, or lips).
Collapse or unconsciousness in severe cases.
If you notice these signs, you’ll need to act swiftly.
Step-by-Step: What to Do
Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Dogs can pick up on your emotions, so staying calm is essential to avoid adding to their distress. Check their mouth to see if the obstruction is visible.
Check Their Mouth Carefully
If it’s safe to do so, open your dog’s mouth gently and look for any objects, like a bone, toy, or piece of food. If you can see the item and reach it easily, use your fingers to carefully remove it. Avoid pushing it further down the throat.
Use Gravity if the Object Is Out of Reach
For smaller dogs, you can hold them upside down to encourage the object to dislodge. For larger dogs, position them with their legs up and head lower than their chest to let gravity help (think like holding a wheel barrow).
Perform the abdominal thrusts
If the object is still stuck, you can attempt a modified Heimlich manoeuvre:
For small dogs: Hold them with their back against your chest and place your hands just below their ribcage. Give 2-3 quick, firm compressions. This needs to be in and up, like the letter 'J'.
For larger dogs: While they are standing or lying on their side, place your hands below their ribcage and push firmly upwards and forwards towards their head.
After each set of compressions, check their mouth again to see if the object has shifted and can be removed.
Seek Veterinary Assistance Immediately
Even if you successfully remove the obstruction, choking can cause internal damage or swelling, which could lead to further complications. Contact your vet as soon as possible to have your dog checked.
Preventing Choking in the Future
To reduce the risk of choking:
Always supervise your dog when they’re playing with toys and chews, especially smaller ones.
Avoid giving them cooked bones or objects that can splinter or break into small pieces.
Make sure their environment is free of small items they could swallow, such as buttons or children’s toys.
Feed them an appropriate size of food to prevent gulping and choking.
Final Thoughts
A choking dog is a terrifying sight, but by knowing what to do, you can act confidently in an emergency. Always follow up with your vet to ensure your dog is safe and healthy.
Want to learn more about canine first aid? Get in touch to book a training session or ask questions about keeping your dog safe. Prevention and preparation are the best tools to protect your dog’s wellbeing.
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