Your pet can choke on food, treats, toys, and common household objects. It’s important to know what the most common choking hazards are for pets, as well as what to do if your pet is choking or can’t breathe. If you act quickly, you may be able to prevent major injury or death. Here is a look at the most common causes of choking in pets, symptoms of choking in cats and dogs, and how to help your pet if they are choking.
Common Causes of Choking in Pets
The most common causes of choking in pets are:
- A foreign object stuck in the throat or airway
- A blockage or obstruction in the throat or windpipe
- A medical condition called brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome
- Strangulation
- Smoke inhalation
Symptoms of Choking in Cats and Dogs
The most common signs or symptoms of choking in cats and dogs are:
- Pawing at the face or head
- Rubbing the face, head, or mouth on the floor or objects
- Struggling to inhale or breathe in
- Acting frantic or running back and forth
- Nudging you for help
- Coughing, gagging, or wheezing in a distressed way
- Drooling or salivating excessively
- Making choking, gagging, or retching noises
- Losing consciousness or having a seizure
How to Help Your Pet if They Are Choking
If your pet is choking, you should try to remove the blockage, perform the Heimlich maneuver, and take your pet to an emergency animal hospital.
To remove the blockage, open your pet’s mouth and locate the object. Use a sweeping motion to push the object out of your pet’s throat or airway. Do not pull or push the object as it might get lodged further in your pet’s throat.
To perform the Heimlich maneuver, put your pet on their back and locate the soft spot underneath their rib cage. Use a forceful upward thrusting motion to try to force air upward and dislodge the object. Do this at least five times and then roll your pet on their side and check their mouth to see if the object has become dislodged.
Get Emergency Services for Your Pet if They are Choking
Even if your pet is breathing again and you have removed the choking hazard or foreign object, they still need to see their veterinarian. You should make a same-day appointment with your veterinarian or take your pet to an emergency animal hospital to make sure they don’t have any injuries or long-term damage. If you aren’t able to clear the blockage or successfully perform the Heimlich maneuver on your pet, you should take them to the closest emergency animal hospital right away.
At Emerald City Emergency Clinic, we offer emergency pet care in Seattle, WA. Our emergency pet clinic is open 24/7/365, and specializes in emergency triage services, emergency diagnostics and surgical services, and routine veterinary services. Call now to let us know you’re coming in for a pet emergency.
