What to do if your pet is choking 🧡 🐾

Quick summary

• Stay calm and act quickly
• Check breathing and the mouth for visible objects
• Remove reachable objects carefully with a finger sweep
• If not visible, try back blows or trained abdominal thrusts
• Transport to a vet immediately if breathing is compromised
• Monitor recovery and reduce stress
• Prevent incidents with safe toys and supervision
• Learn pet first aid and share knowledge in your community

Recognizing choking in a pet

Signs of airway obstruction include noisy breathing, drooling, frantic pawing at the mouth, unsuccessful coughing, and a bluish tint to gums or tongue. The pet may repeatedly try to swallow or shift its head back.

Assess the situation safely

Keep calm. Approaching a frightened or panicked animal requires caution — even a friendly pet may bite when stressed. If possible, have a helper to gently restrain and comfort the animal.

Immediate steps to help

1. Look into the mouth

Open the mouth carefully and look for obvious objects. If you can clearly see an object and it is easy to reach, remove it gently with your fingers. Never push an object deeper.

2. If you cannot see or remove the object

• For small dogs and cats, gentle back blows between the shoulder blades can sometimes dislodge the object. Use controlled, firm taps rather than slamming.
• For medium and large dogs, an abdominal thrust similar to the Heimlich maneuver may be effective, but only if you know the technique and can perform it safely.
• If you are not confident in any technique, transport the pet to a veterinary clinic immediately.

Transport and veterinary care

If the object can't be removed or the pet’s condition worsens (loss of consciousness, cessation of breathing, blue gums), get to a vet immediately. Call ahead if possible so staff can prepare for an emergency airway situation.

Aftercare and monitoring

Even when the object is removed, a veterinary check is recommended — there may be trauma to the throat, swelling, or secondary complications. Keep the pet warm and calm, monitor breathing and appetite for 24–48 hours, and follow your vet’s advice.

Prevention

• Choose toys appropriate for your pet’s size and chewing style.
• Keep small household items and packaging out of reach.
• Cut food into suitable pieces for small breeds and supervise feeding.
• Take a pet first aid course and encourage friends and family to do the same.

When to hurry

If the pet becomes unconscious, stops breathing, or shows blue lips/tongue, every minute counts. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Final note

Choking is frightening but often manageable with calm action. Prioritize safety for both you and the animal, avoid risky maneuvers if untrained, and get professional help promptly. Communities like TailsPal encourage learning first aid to keep pets safe.