Choking is a serious risk for pet dogs. The world is full of interesting things our companions can’t wait to investigate… using their mouths, of course. Add in a canine’s natural scavenging nature and you can quickly have a recipe for disaster if they get a foreign object stuck in their airway.
Thankfully, it’s simple to prevent your dog from choking if you set up your environment well. And some basic knowledge of canine first aid, like the doggy heimlich maneuver, can keep an emergency from turning into a tragedy!
Here’s what you need to know about choking in dogs.
How can you tell if your dog is choking?
It’s crucial to recognize choking as a medical emergency right away so you can open up your pup’s airway. Here’s what to look for.
Choking symptoms in dogs
- Coughing and gagging: One of the most obvious signs of choking is persistent and forceful coughing or gagging. Your dog may be attempting to clear the offending object — often a piece of food — from their throat.
- Pawing at the mouth: Your dog may paw at their mouth or muzzle in a frantic attempt to dislodge the stuck object.
- Drooling excessively: Excessive drooling, sometimes accompanied by foaming at the mouth, can be a sign of choking. The drool may be thick and stringy.
- Difficulty breathing: You may notice your dog struggling to inhale or exhale, with labored or noisy breathing sounds.
- Panic and agitation: Choking is a distressing experience for dogs, and they may become anxious, agitated, or panicked. Your dog may be restless and pace around. This can be startling as a pet owner.
- Cyanosis (blue tongue or gums): If the obstruction is severe and causes a lack of oxygen, your dog’s tongue or gums may turn blue or purplish due to inadequate oxygenation.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness: In severe cases, a choking dog may collapse, lose consciousness, or become unresponsive. This is a critical emergency situation requiring immediate action and medical advice from a professional.
How can you prevent your dog from choking?
Here are some steps you can take to help prevent choking in the first place.
Choking prevention in dogs: Environment
- Secure trash bins: Keep trash bins securely closed to prevent your dog from rummaging through them and ingesting harmful plastic or food items.
- Store small objects out of reach: Keep small objects, such as buttons, coins, or jewelry, out of your dog’s reach. Dogs are known for their curiosity, and they may swallow small items that can cause choking.
- Otherwise pet-proof your home: Dog-proof your living space by securing electrical cords, curtain cords, and other items that your dog could chew on or get tangled in.
- Supervision: Always supervise your dog when they are playing with toys, chewing on treats or bones, or eating their meals. This allows you to intervene quickly if your dog starts to choke. Pay special attention if your pup is an aggressive chewer or has any preexisting health issues!
Choking prevention in dogs: Toys
- Choose appropriate toys: Select toys that are safe for your dog’s size and chewing habits. Avoid toys that are too small, have small parts that can be chewed off, or have sharp edges. Toys specifically designed for dogs, such as Kong toys, are generally safe options.
- Inspect toys often: Check your dog’s toys regularly for signs of wear and tear. Discard any damaged or broken toys that could pose a choking hazard.
Choking prevention in dogs: Training
- Teach “drop” or “leave it” cues: These skills can be lifesavers if your dog picks up something potentially dangerous.
- Crate training: Consider crate training your dog when you can’t supervise them. A crate provides a safe, controlled environment and prevents access to potentially dangerous items.
Choking prevention in dogs: Feeding
- Use size-appropriate treats: When giving your dog treats or chews, make sure they are the appropriate size for your dog. Avoid giving small treats that your dog could swallow whole.
- Do not give cooked bones: Cooked bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard. Instead, provide your dog with raw, meaty bones or safe chew toys designed for dental health.
- Properly prepare food: If you prepare homemade dog food, ensure that bones are removed, and the food is cut into small, manageable pieces. Be cautious with foods like grapes, raisins, and bones from poultry, which can be choking hazards or toxic to dogs.
What should you do if your dog is choking?
Choking in dogs can be life threatening and requires emergency intervention, so it’s important to act quickly.
First things first: If you have someone else with you, have them call the nearest emergency vet. You can also do this with your phone’s voice commands so you can speak to a veterinarian while having your hands free to help your dog.
Check your dog’s mouth
Carefully check your dog’s mouth and throat to see if you can identify the object causing the obstruction. Be cautious when doing this to avoid pushing the object farther down their throat — do not attempt to blindly reach into your dog’s airway to remove what’s there. You may inadvertently push the stuck object deeper or risk getting bitten (even the friendliest dogs can react in stressful situations.)
Perform the canine heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts)
For small dogs (under 30 pounds):
- Stand or kneel behind your dog.
- Place your hands just below your dog’s rib cage (toward the back of the abdomen).
- Apply firm, upward pressure with quick, forceful thrusts. Use your hands to squeeze the abdomen inward and upward.
- Repeat this maneuver until the object is expelled or until your dog can breathe on their own.
For larger dogs (over 30 pounds):
- Stand behind your dog.
- Place your arms around your dog’s waist.
- Make a fist with one hand and place it just below the rib cage.
- Place your other hand over your fist.
- Apply firm, upward pressure with quick, forceful thrusts, aiming to dislodge the object.
- Repeat this maneuver until the object is expelled or until your dog can breathe on their own.
After performing the Heimlich maneuver, check your dog’s mouth again to see if the object is visible and accessible. If it is, you may attempt to gently remove it with your fingers or a pair of dog-friendly tweezers or pliers.
If the object is not dislodged and your dog is still choking, continue the Heimlich maneuver until you’re able to get veterinary assistance.
What should you do after your dog has stopped choking?
Professional veterinary care is a good idea even after successful removal of the obstructing object. Always contact your trusted veterinarian or your local emergency animal clinic for guidance if your dog has experienced a choking incident.
Review of this Article
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers or veterinarians.
This is the professional that reviewed this article:
Christina Olsen, DVM
Rogue Veterinary; Rogue-vet.com; Certified Death Doula; Rogue Sphynx Cattery