First aid for dogs: What to do when a dog is choking

What to do when a dog is choking

Choking is quite common in dogs. Their inquisitive and greedy nature means they’re always on the lookout for the next thing to chew – or swallow. If you notice your dog is choking, there are first aid techniques you can use to help them out.

• First, gently restrain your dog – to protect yourself and to keep them still. You don’t want to panic them, or make breathing harder, so don’t hold their muzzle down. Note: a choking dog may panic, struggle, thrash and bite – hurting others and themselves.
• Open your dog’s mouth and check inside to determine what is blocking their throat. If it’s something big, like a bit of bone or wood you can remove it with your hand or a large pair of tweezers by reaching inside. Note: don’t risk getting bitten – if you’re worried, you can take your dog to the vet.
• Some dogs’ anatomy is different, and they may have a part of the mouth where things can get stuck. If this happens, one person can hold the mouth open (using the lips to protect their fingers) and the other can reach in with tweezers to remove the object. 

Some things you should never do include:

• Pushing on the object, as this will lodge it deeper.
• Sticking your fingers down your dog’s throat or touching around to feel for something lodged in the throat, as this can cause damage.

Sometimes, you may not need to reach into the mouth. If your dog has swallowed a large object, like a toy ball, you can push it out.

1. Place both thumbs on your dog’s throat beneath their jaw/at the bottom of their throat.
2. Apply pressure onto this area with your thumbs.
3. Finally, push forwards. This should help the large objects to dislodge. 

If a small dog is choking

If a small dog is choking, you may need to deliver first aid in a different way. If you’re having a hard time checking their mouth, you can instead:

1. Pick your dog up by their hind thighs. 
2. While holding them upside down so that gravity is assisting, shake in a downward motion.
3. Keep an eye on their mouth, to see if anything becomes dislodged. 

You don’t need to pick your dog up off the ground to do this. If your dog a bit bigger, you can instead try to get them into a wheelbarrow position and do the same thing.

If a large dog is choking

When people choke, you may think about the Heimlich manoeuvre – but did you know there’s a Heimlich manoeuvre for dogs too? It’s a little bit different, given the anatomy, but it’s easy to pull off. 

There are two ways to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre on your dog, depending on if they’re standing or lying down.

If your dog is standing:

1. With your dog standing, put your arm around its belly. Then, make a fist with one hand and place your other on top of it.
2. Using your first and second hand, push up and forwards towards the bottom of the rib cage.

If your dog is lying down:

1. If your dog is lying down, you can place one hand on the back to support it and put the other on the abdomen.
2. Now, push to squeeze the abdomen up and forward.

If you manage to dislodge the obstruction in your dog’s throat, make sure to move it out of paws’ reach so your dog doesn’t try to eat it again. They don’t always learn their lesson. It’s a good idea to take the object and your dog to the vet so they can examine for any damage.

What to do if it hasn’t worked and your dog is still choking 

If your attempts to deliver dog first aid have failed, don’t worry. Try to soothe your dog and call an emergency vet ASAP. Remember, be wary – a dog in distress is at risk of biting or thrashing into things nearby.

Dog first aid: what else should a dog owner learn

Dog choking is one of the most common problems you can expect to encounter as a proud pet parent – but that won’t be all. Pups can get their paws into all sorts of trouble, so you need to be ready for anything.

Here are some common pet problems you might want to be ready for:

Paw injuries 

Has your dog really stepped in it this time? Look after their tender toe beans with the following steps:

• Clean the wound by applying a dog-appropriate disinfectant or salt water.
• Then wrap the wound in gauze and tape it securely to prevent any dirt from getting into the wound.
• Visit your vet to make sure that the cut isn’t too deep. It may require stitches to prevent it from splitting open when your dog walks on it. You can also get dog booties to help keep the wound clean and prevent your dog from licking it. 

Poisoning 

Dogs have a tendency to eat things they shouldn’t. While an occasional upset tummy is probably nothing to worry about, be sure to look out for signs of poisoning:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Hyperactivity
• High blood pressure and temperature
• High/unusual heart rate and shakes or tremors

If you notice these symptoms and suspect your dog has been poisoned, visit a vet ASAP. When your dog gets into something they shouldn’t, keep the label or packaging (or any evidence you can gather.) This can let medical professionals know what has been eaten, and how to treat them.

Learn more about what dogs can and can’t eat.

Heatstroke  

Dogs can really feel the heat, but they can’t always cool themselves down like we can. On hot days, it’s best to avoid intense or even moderate exercise in the heat of the day. If you’re worried your dog might have heatstroke, look out for the following symptoms:

• Excessive or unusual panting 
• Agitation and restlessness
• Seeking shade and water
• Drooling, red gums or a red tongue
• Heightened heart rate
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Some dogs can be more susceptible to heatstroke, such as:

• Overweight dogs
• Dogs with dark coloured coats
• Breeds with thick or long coats
• Brachy breeds, such as Pugs or French Bulldogs
• Old and young animals, as they struggle to regulate
• Animals with certain health conditions

Emergency first aid

There are courses you can attend as a dog owner to learn how to perform CPR on a dog in if their heart stops beating or they stop breathing. It’s important to learn from a professional, where you can get certified in administering CPR. There are both in-person and online courses available, and you do not need previous qualifications to learn more about dog first aid.

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance

Pet insurance can help your dog when they’re in trouble. Dog insurance could help cover the cost of vet bills for the incidents mentioned above. 

Whether your dog injured its throat from choking, or they ate something they shouldn’t, Sainsbury’s Bank Dog Insurance is here to help. With 24/7 vet assistance, you can get peace of mind that you’ll be able to get the answers you need. 

Please note that we won't cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply.