So, you’re excited for your first petaway with your furry best friend. It will be full of exploring new towns, villages, endless rolling countryside, dog-friendly beaches and attractions. When preparing for your adventure, the last thing you want to be thinking about is any emergency situations taking place. But unfortunately, these things can happen, and so it’s best you are fully prepared just in case.
Everyone knows how much dogs love to chew – sometimes on things they shouldn’t! In some cases, this can lead to your dog choking. We have partnered up with the brilliant First Aid For Life and First Aid For Pets to educate on how to help your choking dog if an emergency situation ever arises. First Aid For Pets covers this topic on all of their practical and online first aid courses – and PetsPyjamas has an exclusive discount, keep reading!
What are the signs my dog is choking?
Sometimes your four-legged friend may not be choking and it could be just a cough. It’s important to be able to identify if they are actually choking before commencing first aid for choking.
The signs that indicate there’s something stuck in your dog’s throat are:
- Coughing and gagging
- Retching blue mucous membranes
- Visible signs of struggling
- Increased breathing rate/difficulty breathing
- Blue lips or gums
- Neck outstretched
- Distress pawing at the mouth
- Pacing backwards and forwards
- Whining
- Mouth salivation
- In severe cases – collapsing.
If your dog is coughing, they will be able to breathe and won’t be showing any other signs of distress. When you’re not sure whether or not something is stuck in your dog’s throat, call the nearest vet immediately for advice.
If your pet’s airway is obstructed and they are choking, they will be silent and unable to cough.
What do I do if my dog is choking?
When it comes to our pet’s health, it’s super important to take immediate action in a calm manner. Start by looking into your dog’s mouth and try to see if there are any food or foreign objects stuck in your dog’s throat. Some advice provided by sources suggests trying to grab it with your finger and thumb (making sure you don’t push it further into their airway.) However, your dog will probably be panicking and may try to bite as you try to perform the manoeuvre. Plus, you could accidentally damage the delicate tissue at the back of their throat.
A safer way for you and your pooch is to reach into your dog’s mouth with tweezers or forceps to grab the item and remove it.
If it’s a small bone that is stuck, but not obstructing their airway, do not try to remove it yourself as this could injure your dog. Instead, take your poor choking pet to the vet as quickly as possible. Some objects, like a ball or pieces of rawhide, can be dislodged by putting pressure with both your thumbs underneath their jaw, pushing forwards and upwards towards their mouth.
How to help if my dog is choking?
If you have a small dog breed, first try picking your furry friend up by their thighs and gently shaking them 3 or 4 times up and down. For a large dog, you can lift their hind legs in a wheelbarrow motion and do the same.
Abdominal thrusts for smaller dogs
Using your fist, apply pressure in the gap between their ribs and tummy and pull firmly inward and upward in a rapid J-shaped thrusting motion. Repeat this five times whilst giving your choking dog firm pats between their shoulder blades. If you prefer, you can use the wheelbarrow position for this as well.
Heimlich Manoeuvre method for medium and large dogs
If your larger dog is choking, position them in a wheelbarrow position and wrap your arms around them from behind, clasping your hands together. With a closed fist and with your hand on top of the other, press firmly upwards and then forward – just behind the ribcage. If your dog is lying down, you can place one hand on their back for support and use your other hand to press your pet’s stomach in the same motion. Following this, you hopefully will be able to remove the object from your dog’s mouth with a tweezer (or if safe to do so) with your fingers.
If the method hasn’t worked, keep going. You will need to pay the nearest vet a visit ASAP. On the way, if your dog is unconscious or not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation involving 120 chest compressions a minute, 30 compressions to two breaths, and continue this until you reach the vet.
Even if you did manage to remove the obstruction, it is a good idea to get them checked out by the Vet. The vet will be able to evaluate them to see if the offending object has caused any swelling or injury in your dog’s mouth.
How to prevent your dog from choking in the future
If your dog has choked before, or you want to prevent choking, you are in the right place! Curious younger pups will need extra attention because they are more likely to interact with objects they shouldn’t! But to keep your dog safe regardless of age:
- Small items are a potential choking hazard so it’s best to keep them out of your cheeky dog’s reach. We also recommend avoiding dog products containing rawhide as this is also notorious for being a potential choking risk.
- Keep children’s toys away from prying paws, particularly those with small parts!
- Always monitor your furry friend during playtimes and mealtimes. Make sure that any dog toys they do play with when you’re out on your dog-friendly holiday don’t have pieces that can break off.
- Choose toys that are the right size for your dog breed, their age, and their chewing behaviours. For example, giving a small ball or toy meant for smaller breeds to your larger dog could result in your dog choking. If your furry friend is a more aggressive chewer, they may need extra tough chew toys to keep them safe.
- Ensure the food you give your canine friend -like their kibble – is suitable for their size.
- Remove any small sticks from the enclosed garden if you are staying in a dog-friendly cottage during your petaway.
- When you go away, always make sure you know where the nearest emergency vet is.
About First Aid For Pets
First Aid for Pets is an Award Winning Dog First Aid training provider empowering all pet lovers with the skills and confidence to help their pet – in those first vital minutes before you can get to a Vet.
First Aid for Pets is delighted to offer PetsPyjamas customers 20% off our First Aid for Dogs online course. Use the code: couponpetspyjamas20 or follow this link HERE
Prevent choking and have a safe petaway with PetsPyjamas
Now that you know our top First Aid advice for when your dog is choking and how to prevent the emergency from happening in the first place, you can have a safe first holiday away with your beloved companion.
If you are yet to book, we have a wide range of dog-friendly cottages and hotels that are pawfect for your first adventure together! Visit our website today to find out more.