How to Perform a Pet Heimlich Maneuver and Save Their Life

Introduction: What to Do If Your Pet is Choking?

Choking is a life-threatening emergency that can happen to any pet. Whether it's a piece of food, a toy, or a foreign object, knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a dog or cat can save their life.

In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ How to recognize choking signs in pets
✅ Step-by-step Heimlich maneuver for dogs and cats
✅ Immediate actions to take in a pet choking emergency
✅ Post-Heimlich care and when to seek veterinary help

🐾 Expand your first aid knowledge beyond the Heimlich maneuver and be prepared for any pet emergency.

1. Recognizing the Signs of a Choking Pet

📌 How Do I Know If My Pet is Choking?

🚨 Common Signs of Pet Choking:
✔ Pawing at the mouth or head in distress
✔ Difficulty breathing, gagging, or retching
✔ Excessive drooling or inability to swallow
✔ Blue or pale gums (lack of oxygen)
✔ Panic or collapse

🐾 Take steps to prevent choking hazards and other injuries—preventing choking is the first step to protecting your pet.

2. Immediate Steps for a Pet Choking Emergency

🚨 What Should You Do First?

✔ Stay calm and act quickly.
✔ Check your pet’s mouth for visible objects.
✔ Do NOT reach blindly into the throat—this could push the object deeper.
✔ If the object is visible and easy to grasp, gently remove it using tweezers.
✔ If you cannot remove the object, begin the Heimlich maneuver immediately.

🐾 Pet-proof your home to reduce risks of choking incidents—a safer home means fewer emergencies.

3. How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver on Dogs & Cats

A. Heimlich Maneuver for Small Dogs & Cats

📌 Step-by-Step Heimlich for Small Pets
1️⃣ Hold your pet upright with their back against your chest.
2️⃣ Place one hand under their ribcage and use the other hand to apply firm pressure.
3️⃣ Give quick, upward thrusts to push air from the lungs and dislodge the object.
4️⃣ Check the mouth again—remove any dislodged object.
5️⃣ If necessary, repeat until the object is expelled.

B. Heimlich Maneuver for Large Dogs

📌 Heimlich Maneuver for Large Dogs (Standing Position)
✔ Wrap your arms around your dog’s abdomen, placing your fists just below the ribcage.
✔ Perform 4–5 firm, quick thrusts inward and upward.
✔ Re-check the mouth for any expelled objects.

📌 If Your Dog is Lying Down:
✔ Place them on their side.
✔ Position one hand on the back for support and use the other to press up and inward on the abdomen.
✔ Repeat until the object is expelled.

🐾 Combine CPR skills with the Heimlich maneuver for comprehensive emergency care—some pets may need CPR after choking.

4. What to Do After Performing the Heimlich Maneuver?

📌 Post-Heimlich Care for Pets

✔ Even if your pet seems fine, monitor them closely.
✔ Check for signs of continued distress or labored breathing.
✔ Avoid food or water for a short period to allow recovery.
✔ Seek veterinary care immediately to ensure no internal damage.

🐾 Follow these tips to keep your pet safe from harm—prevention is the best protection.

5. When to Seek Veterinary Help After a Choking Incident

📌 Contact Your Veterinarian If:
✔ The object was not fully dislodged or your pet is still struggling to breathe.
✔ Your pet is coughing, wheezing, or having difficulty swallowing after the incident.
✔ Your pet collapsed or lost consciousness during choking.
✔ You notice signs of internal injury, such as vomiting blood.

🐾 Ensure your home is a safe space for your pet—a pet-friendly environment can prevent emergencies.

6. Preventing Pet Choking: Tips for Pet Owners

📌 Pet Choking Prevention Tips

✔ Choose size-appropriate toys and chews—avoid small objects that could be swallowed.
✔ Supervise feeding times—avoid feeding large chunks of food.
✔ Use slow-feeder bowls if your pet eats too quickly.
✔ Keep trash and dangerous items out of reach—small bones, wrappers, and household objects are common hazards.

🐾 Pet-proof your home to reduce risks of choking incidents—a few simple changes can save your pet’s life.