Your dog may be choking if he acts anxious or frantic, stops breathing, has blue or white gums, makes loud breathing sounds, paws at the mouth, or struggles or grasps to breathe.

What to do if you think your dog or cat is choking:

1 – Open the mouth and pull the tongue forward. Use your finger to sweep inside the mouth and remove the object(s).

Always use caution to avoid getting bitten and pushing objects further into the animal’s throat.

2 – If you can’t remove the object using your hand, perform 5 rapid abdominal thrusts.

Wrap your arms around the animal under the ribs with the spine against your chest. Make a fist with one hand, place the other over your fist, and lock the hands together.

Give 5 rapid abdominal thrusts, pushing up the abdomen, lifting upwards and inwards.

For cats ONLY:
If your cat is struggling:

1 – Grab him by the back of the neck.
2 – Place your hands just behind the last rib.
3 – Make a fist and push up quickly against the cat’s belly (4-5 times).

Remember that the smaller the animal, the gentler you must be not to hurt the animal.

3 – if the object is still there, suspend the dog/cat by the hips with its head hanging down.

if the animal is too heavy, hold the animal’s back legs in the air like a wheelbarrow (the cart you carry soil in the garden).

4 – Give five sharp blows by firmly hitting the dog/cat’s back between the shoulder blades with the heel (bottom) of your hand.

5 – Repeat until the object is removed.

Check the Emergency 101 tab and begin CPR if needed.

Take your dog/cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if you remove the object and your dog seems fine, choking can cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs.