What To Do If Your Dog is Choking

How to Know if Your Dog is Choking – Symptoms of Choking

The initial step is to promptly identify whether your dog is truly choking or there is some other issue at hand.

Seeing your dog cough or wheeze can cause worry and assuming the worst if you’re a vigilant dog owner.

According to Banfield Pet Hospital, the primary distinction in identifying whether a dog is choking or coughing lies in their breathing pattern.

A dog that is experiencing choking will face difficulty in taking proper breaths, while a dog that is coughing heavily will breathe relatively normally.

PetMD also suggests that a dog may use their paw to scratch their muzzle when they have something stuck in their mouth or throat.

The pharyngeal gag reflex or reverse sneeze is a frequently misunderstood condition that can be mistaken for choking.

Veterinary Partner describes it as an unpleasant respiratory noise that resembles a sneeze being inhaled instead of exhaled through the nose.

In case of doubt about your dog’s ability to breathe properly due to choking, it is prudent to assume they are choking and take action promptly to avoid any time wastage.

What To Do If Your Dog is Choking

Knowing what to do when your dog is choking is crucial as it can save your furry friend’s life in an emergency situation. It’s important to keep this knowledge handy and readily accessible in case the need arises.

Carefully Perform A Finger Sweep

The initial step is to inspect your dog’s mouth or throat with your finger to ensure there are no objects stuck.

One way recommended by Banfield Pet Hospital to check your dog’s throat is to insert your index finger into one side of its mouth, move it downwards to the center and then up the other side.

Do not be surprised if you feel a smooth bone deep down in the throat as this is the Adam’s apple.

According to PetMD, it is recommended that you check your dog’s mouth visually to see if there is anything stuck inside.

To restore your dog’s airway, it is necessary to remove any obstruction that you see or feel.

If the object is within reach of your fingers, attempt to remove it manually. However, if it is situated too deep or challenging to grip, use extended-nose pliers or the handle of a flat spoon.

Exercise utmost caution to avoid pushing the object deeper into their throat no matter what method or action you employ.

Exercise caution, since a dog that is choking may become anxious and prone to attack due to fear. It would be prudent to have another individual calmly hold the dog in place if available.

If there are no visible or tangible blockages, then the obstruction must be situated deeper down the respiratory tract, and therefore, you should proceed to consider the alternative solutions.

Shake Your Dog

If you have a small dog and he’s choking, you can try to pick him up and shake the object out. However, this approach is not appropriate for a Labrador-sized dog.

PetMD suggests that gently shaking and swinging a small dog by their thighs can help remove the object causing discomfort.

Using the Heimlich Maneuver on Dogs (The Abdominal Thrust)

In case your dog is big or shaking fails to work, proceed to perform the Heimlich maneuver, also referred to as abdominal thrust. This is similar to the means of rescuing a choking person and is applicable for canines.

The method is explained by the SPCA.

• Place your  dog on their side on a hard surface.
• If you can, tilt their head down and their hindquarters up, for instance by putting pillows or a rolled towel under their back end.
• Alternatively, if you have no time or this is too difficult to achieve, you can do it with your dog standing upright on all fours.
• Find the space behind your dog’s ribcage, and press inwards and upwards four or five times. If you have a small dog, use one hand to thrust and place one on their back to steady them. If you have a large dog, use both hands to thrust.
• Check the mouth to see if anything has been dislodged, and hook it out if so.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Unconscious

Even if your dog has become unconscious due to choking, it is still important to follow the aforementioned steps as clearing the blockage can help revive them.

If your dog appears to be having difficulty breathing, you may have to administer CPR.

Certainly, this is an exceptional situation and should not replace veterinary care, but merely serve as a temporary solution until you can promptly visit your veterinarian.

The University of Washington advises that the initial action in administering CPR to your dog involves shutting their mouth and taking two breaths through their nostrils, ensuring that their chest inflates with each breath.

At the specified rate, carry out 30 compressions on the chest.

• For dogs over 60 lbs: 60 compressions per minute.
• For dogs less than 60 lbs: 80-100 compressions per minute.

Perform 30 chest compressions, followed by 2 breaths inhaled through the nose, and repeat the process.

BONUS: Best Dog Toys, According to the Experts: Our Dogs

Dogs are the ultimate companions who greet us with their warm smiles and wagging tails. They’re affectionate, adorable, and entertaining, but they can be quite discerning and difficult to please when it comes to their toys. Sometimes, finding their favorite plushies, chews, and other playthings can be a challenge, requiring numerous attempts. That’s why we decided to seek the help of experts for this piece – our furry friends who are compensated with treats and scratches.

Dog owners should consider searching for the ideal dog toys that can keep their canine companions entertained and engaged even when they are unavailable to participate in activities such as tugging or tossing a ball repeatedly.

A wide selection of dog toys is available, ranging from frisbees and balls to puzzles, squeakers, and food-related devices. However, as any owner can attest, finding the perfect toy can be a gamble. Your dog might ignore it completely, or worse, destroy it within minutes of playing with it. Thus, how can you discover the greatest dog toys that will provide hours of entertainment and engagement?

We consulted our expert advisors, our dogs.

Since every dog has unique quirks and preferences, you’ll find a wide variety to choose from here. Whether your four-legged friend is a large dog or a small dog, a chewer or a tugger, you’re sure to find something they’ll love on this list. These are the best dog toys available that our dogs actually go crazy for.

Outward Hound Dog Tornado Puzzle

If you have a dog that requires constant attention, you will try everything to occupy them for a brief period of time. This puzzle toy is perfect for that purpose. It includes three rotating trays that can conceal treats, encouraging your dog to work for their treat.

Wild Knots Bears Durable Dog Toy

The toy is capable of enduring long-lasting use and caters to all the activities that can engage a dog for a prolonged time. It comprises a rope and some squeakers that can grab and sustain their interest, thereby making it the preferred cuddling toy for my dog.

Kong Extreme Dog Toy

When left by themselves, pets tend to become anxious and resort to nibbling on the living room rug. To avoid this, prepare Kongs stuffed with either peanut butter, mozzarella or both to keep your dogs happy and occupied whenever you need to step out for a few hours.

Fluff and Tuff Ball

The majority of plush toys cannot withstand the strength of certain dogs, resulting in them being ripped apart within minutes. However, the Fluff and Tuff ball can endure for weeks without even a single thread being undone.

Outward Hound Dog Hide N’ Slide Puzzle

Apart from their human companions, dogs have two preferences, namely, food and toys. This puzzle successfully combines both elements to offer never-ending entertainment. It can be utilized as an alternative when it becomes hard to take your furry friend for a walk during the night. Although the moving plastic components make it appear complicated, it is quite easy to assemble. Merely conceal your desired choice of kibble or treats in the secret compartments, place the plastic door over them, glide the slider to seal the door, and you’re finished.

Aerobie Dogobie Disc

Thanks to its neon colors, the disc crafted from flexible silicone is nearly indestructible and effortless to throw and retrieve. Moreover, it is effortless to locate amidst the foliage after an imprecise throw.

FAQs