⚠️ Act fast. Your actions can save your dog’s life.
💙 Dogs explore the world with their mouths and can choke on food, toys, bones, sticks, or other objects. Knowing what to do can make all the difference.
🚨 Signs of choking
• Gagging, retching, or coughing
• Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Restlessness, panic, or agitation
• Weakness or collapse
• Blue or pale gums (serious sign)
🆘 Seek emergency help if
• Your dog can’t breathe or turns blue
• They collapse or become unresponsive
• You cannot remove the object
• Choking lasts more than a few minutes
📞 Contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.
🩺 What to do
If your dog is conscious
- Stay calm and assess the situation
If your dog is coughing strongly, they may be trying to clear the object on their own. - Check the mouth only if you can clearly see the object
Do not blindly reach inside. - If the object is not visible or won’t come out, give 5 firm back blows
• Keep your dog’s head lower than the chest
• Use the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades - Follow with 5 abdominal thrusts
• Stand behind your dog
• Place your arms around the waist
• Make a fist below the ribcage
• Pull inward and upward quickly
• Repeat until the object comes out or the dog becomes unresponsive
If your dog becomes unresponsive
• Carefully check the mouth and remove the object only if visible
• If not breathing, begin CPR and go to the veterinarian immediately
🛡️ How to prevent choking
• Choose toys that match your dog’s size
• Avoid small bones, hard bones, and cooked bones
• Feed proper-sized food and prevent fast eating
• Supervise chew sessions and playtime
• Keep small objects out of reach
❤️ After the episode
• Monitor your dog closely even if the object comes out
• Watch for coughing, breathing problems, or lethargy
• Contact your vet if symptoms continue
💡 Pro tips
• Learn pet first aid
• Keep emergency numbers available
• Have a pet first aid kit at home
🐶 Remember: Stay calm, act quickly, and when in doubt, seek veterinary care immediately.