Yes, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver on a dog to help relieve airway obstruction, commonly known as canine choking first aid. This life-saving skill can be performed on dogs of all sizes, though the technique varies slightly. Knowing how to help a choking dog quickly is vital because severe choking can lead to brain damage or death in minutes.
Recognizing the Signs of a Choking Dog
Before attempting any procedure, you must be sure your dog is truly choking. Sometimes dogs cough or gag without an actual blockage. If your dog is still able to move air, do not immediately jump to forceful maneuvers.
Signs that your dog is severely choking include:
- Panicked or distressed look.
- Loud, harsh sounds when trying to breathe, or complete silence.
- Paw at the mouth frantically.
- Gums and tongue turning blue or gray (cyanosis).
- Collapse.
If you see these signs, act fast. Immediate action is necessary for emergency care for choking pets.
Initial Steps Before the Heimlich Maneuver
If your dog starts choking, remain calm. Panic will only scare your dog more, making the situation worse.
Assessing the Airway
The very first step is to look inside your dog’s mouth.
- Safety First: Wear gloves if possible. A frightened, choking dog might bite you.
- Open the Mouth: Gently open your dog’s mouth and quickly look at the back of the throat.
- Remove the Object (If Visible): If you can see the object and it is loose, try to sweep it out with your finger. Hook it gently and pull it out. Warning: Do not push the object further down. If you cannot reach it safely, proceed to the next step.
If the object is not easily removable, you must move to force techniques to dislodge it. These involve a combination of back blows and chest thrusts for dogs.
Dog Heimlich Maneuver Steps: Techniques Based on Dog Size
The procedure for relieving airway obstruction in dogs changes based on whether your dog is small or large. We use techniques similar to the human Heimlich maneuver, adapted for canine anatomy.
Performing the Heimlich Maneuver for Small Dogs (Under 25 lbs)
For smaller breeds, the technique focuses on lifting and gravity, combined with thrusts.
1. Back Blows for Small Dogs
This is usually the first step before proceeding to chest thrusts.
- Hold the dog upside down. Support the back and neck firmly. Let gravity help move the object forward.
- Use the heel of your free hand. Strike the dog firmly between the shoulder blades four or five times. These blows should be forceful but controlled.
2. Chest Thrusts for Small Dogs (The Equivalent of the Heimlich Maneuver)
If back blows fail, move to controlled compressions.
- Hold the dog against your body, keeping the dog positioned with the spine against your chest.
- Place both hands around the dog’s rib cage, just behind the front legs.
- Make quick, inward and upward thrusts. You are trying to compress the lungs and force air out, pushing the blockage up.
- Perform about four or five rapid thrusts.
After thrusts, check the mouth again. Repeat the cycle if the object is still stuck.
Performing the Heimlich Maneuver for Large Dogs (Over 25 lbs)
Large dogs cannot be easily lifted upside down. The technique uses positioning and abdominal pressure. This is essential for performing the Heimlich maneuver for large dogs.
1. Back Blows for Large Dogs
- Position the dog standing or kneeling if possible. If the dog collapses, lay it on its side.
- Locate the area right between the shoulder blades.
- Strike this area hard, four or five times, using the heel of your hand.
2. Abdominal Thrusts (The True Heimlich Maneuver)
This applies pressure to the diaphragm, forcing air out of the lungs.
- Stand or kneel behind the dog. If the dog is standing, wrap your arms around its waist.
- Make a fist with one hand. Place the thumb side of your fist against the dog’s abdomen. The location is just behind the last rib.
- Grasp your fist with your other hand.
- Deliver four or five quick, firm inward and upward thrusts. You are mimicking the action of pushing air out.
If the dog is too large to hug, or if it collapses during the event, lay the dog on its side. Kneel over its back. Place the heel of one hand on the abdomen, just behind the rib cage. Place the other hand over the first. Push hard, inward and forward, four to five times.
This sequence of dog Heimlich maneuver steps should be repeated until the object is expelled or the dog starts breathing.
What Happens After the Object is Dislodged?
Once the object comes out, or the dog starts coughing or breathing, stop the procedure. The dog may still be in distress.
Post-Choking Care
Even if your dog seems fine, the forceful maneuvers can cause internal injury.
- Check for Injuries: Look for scrapes or bruising from the rescue attempt.
- Monitor Breathing: Watch your dog closely for the next few hours. Ensure breathing remains steady and normal.
- Veterinary Visit is Crucial: You must take your dog to the vet immediately, even if the crisis has passed. The vet needs to check the throat, mouth, and lungs for any damage caused by the object or the rescue efforts. For example, sometimes the object breaks into smaller pieces, or the forceful compressions can damage ribs or internal organs.
Addressing Specific Situations
Different scenarios require slight variations in dog choking relief techniques.
Heimlich Maneuver Dogs Vomiting
It is common for dogs to vomit after a choking episode or during the rescue attempt.
- If the dog vomits, this is often a good sign, as the force of vomiting can sometimes dislodge the item.
- If the dog vomits but is still struggling, immediately check the mouth again. The vomit might obscure the object, or the object might still be lodged.
- If the dog is vomiting and breathing, allow it to rest, but still seek veterinary care.
Modified Technique for Very Tiny Breeds
For toy breeds like Chihuahuas or Yorkshire Terriers, excessive force can cause serious injury.
When performing the Heimlich maneuver for small dogs, use lighter pressure on the chest thrusts. Instead of striking hard between the shoulder blades, use only two or three very gentle but sharp slaps. The goal is to move air, not break bones.
Dealing with Large, Uncooperative Dogs
If a very large dog (like a Great Dane) is choking, getting behind it or lifting it is impossible.
- The technique switches entirely to laying the dog on its side.
- Use the side thrust method described previously—kneeling over the dog and using strong upward and inward pressure on the abdomen.
- If the dog is unconscious, administer two rescue breaths (mouth-to-snout resuscitation) after confirming the airway is clear.
Comprehending the Difference: Back Blows vs. Chest Thrusts
It is important to know why different actions are used in canine choking first aid.
| Technique | Purpose | When to Use | Force Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Blows | To use gravity and direct impact to jar the object loose. | First step, regardless of dog size. | Firm and sharp. |
| Chest/Abdominal Thrusts | To forcefully compress the lungs, creating an artificial cough to expel the object. | If back blows fail, or as the main technique for large dogs. | Strong and rapid. |
Preventing Canine Choking Episodes
The best treatment is always prevention. Many choking incidents happen because a dog eats or chews something inappropriate.
High-Risk Items to Avoid
Keep these items away from your dog, especially during enthusiastic chewing:
- Small, hard dog toys that can fit entirely into the throat.
- Pieces of rawhide that become sticky and lodge in the esophagus.
- Cooked bones, which can splinter.
- Fruit pits (peach, plum, avocado).
- Tennis balls or small rubber balls that get stuck at the back of the mouth.
- Pieces of plastic or rubber that break off from chews.
Supervise your dog when introducing new chews or toys. Always ensure a toy is larger than your dog’s throat opening.
Fathoming Resuscitation If the Dog Becomes Unconscious
If, despite your efforts, the dog stops breathing and becomes limp, you must begin basic life support immediately after clearing the airway.
Rescue Breathing for Dogs
This step is critical if the dog has no pulse or is not breathing after the object is removed.
- Position: Lay the dog on its side on a firm surface.
- Seal the Mouth: Close the dog’s mouth firmly with your hand.
- Nose Seal: Form a seal around the dog’s muzzle/nose with your mouth, covering both nostrils completely.
- Deliver Breaths: Blow gently into the nostrils. For a small dog, use very little air—just enough to see the chest slightly rise. For a large dog, use more forceful breaths.
- Rate: Give two initial rescue breaths. Then continue giving one breath every four to five seconds.
- Check for Pulse: While breathing for the dog, check for a heartbeat (usually felt on the inside of the upper rear leg, or near the chest). If there is no pulse, start chest compressions (CPR) as well.
Note: Performing full CPR on a choking victim is advanced and should only be attempted if you are trained or if the dog is completely unresponsive.
When to Stop CPR/Rescue Breathing
Continue rescue breathing until one of three things happens:
- The dog starts breathing on its own.
- You reach the veterinarian and they take over.
- You are physically too exhausted to continue.
Deciphering When to Call the Vet Immediately
If your dog is choking, call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital immediately while you are performing the maneuvers.
- If the choking stops but the dog is acting lethargic or weak, call ahead.
- If the obstruction is visible but you cannot remove it safely, call while you attempt back blows.
- If you successfully dislodge the item, call immediately to schedule an emergency exam.
Do not delay seeking professional help once the immediate danger has passed. The initial response is crucial, but follow-up care prevents secondary complications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use the Heimlich maneuver if my dog is conscious and coughing?
No. If your dog is actively coughing, it means air is moving, and the cough reflex is working to expel the object. Intervening with forceful maneuvers when the dog is still producing sound can make the blockage worse or cause injury. Wait for the cough to stop or for signs of severe distress before intervening.
How deep should I thrust when doing the Heimlich maneuver for large dogs?
The thrusts should be sharp, quick, and directed inward and upward toward the diaphragm, just behind the last rib. You need significant force to compress the lungs of a large dog, so do not be hesitant, but ensure your hand placement is correct to avoid injuring the liver or spleen.
What is the best way to perform back blows and chest thrusts for dogs who are obese?
For obese dogs, the standard placement for abdominal thrusts might be difficult to locate. Focus heavily on the back blows first, as they use gravity. If using abdominal thrusts, aim slightly higher than usual on the abdomen, just behind the sternum area, and use very careful, controlled upward pressure, as the excess fat may cushion the force.
Can I perform the Heimlich maneuver dogs vomiting?
Yes, you can, but be aware that vomiting often occurs during the procedure or immediately after the object is cleared. If the dog vomits and then starts breathing, pause the procedure and check the mouth for debris. If the dog is still struggling after vomiting, assume the object is still stuck and continue with the appropriate thrusts.
Is there a specific technique for the Heimlich maneuver for small dogs where I don’t have to lift them?
If your small dog is too frightened to be held upside down, you can perform the technique while they are standing or lying on their side. Use very light chest compressions (similar to small CPR) just behind the elbows, alternating with gentle back slaps between the shoulder blades. Always favor the upside-down method if possible, as gravity is a significant aid in clearing the airway.