Can Dogs Choke?
We've all seen dogs gobble down huge chunks of food without any ill effect, so it's not uncommon for people to wonder if dogs can choke at all.
However, while we'd love to say no, the truth is that dogs can choke, just like any other animal - including humans. Here's what you need to know.
Why Do Dogs Choke?
Dogs choke for the same reasons that people and other animals do. Something blocks their airway, preventing them from breathing in or out.
That something could be food, but it could also be something else that they swallow, even accidentally, like a small toy or similar object.
Sometimes, dogs choke because of outside factors, like getting their collar caught on a fence or something else. This kind of choking is more like strangulation, but the result is the same - blocked airways and no oxygen getting through.
How Can You Tell If Your Dog Is Choking?
If your dog has got their collar caught on something, you will be able to see that they are choking, and they will probably struggle a lot.
However, if your dog is choking on something that is stuck in their throat, it may be less obvious. In fact, if their airway is completely blocked, they won't be able to make any sounds like coughing or hacking. True choking is often completely silent.
If your dog's airway is not completely blocked, or if they have damaged their windpipe and are struggling to breathe because of that, you might notice sounds of coughing or hacking as they attempt to get enough air.
Dogs, like people, also turn blue or purple when they are choking, so you might be able to tell if you can see their skin or mucous membranes in their mouth.
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What Should You Do If Your Dog Chokes?
If your dog is choking, it is a medical emergency. If they are choking due to strangulation, cut the collar or item that is strangling them as soon as possible.
If you have an open veterinarian nearby, take your dog there immediately. Here are a few other tips for things to do immediately if your dog is choking:
- Restrain your dog and keep them as still as possible
- Open your dog's mouth, holding their tongue out of the way and then use your finger to sweep the back of their throat from one side to another, trying to scoop out any items that might be lodged in an area you can reach
- You can use a flashlight for this, and tweezers or tongs can help
- You want to scoop or pull any object you can see - do not push it further down your dog's throat
- If there is a larger object stuck in your dog's throat and you can see it, try squeezing below it and pushing it upwards toward your dog's mouth
- Sometimes, dogs will have something lodged between their teeth, and that might cause them to cough or present choking symptoms, so be sure to check the roof of their mouth too!
If you can't get to a veterinarian in time, and none of those things work, you will need to do the Heimlich maneuver on your dog.
How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver on Dogs
If your dog is choking and you can't get to the veterinarian in time, you will need to do the Heimlich maneuver on your dog. There are several ways to do this, and it will vary depending on what kind of dog you have.
If you have a small dog, you can either pick them up, find the soft area right under their ribs, and use the thumb side of your balled fist to pull towards you sharply. Or you can put them on their back and push down sharply on this area.
If you have a large dog, stand them up in front of you, find the same spot under the ribs, and pull towards you again with your balled fist and your other hand on top. You can also lay them on their side, sit behind them, and pull sharply toward yourself with your balled fist.
The goal of the Heimlich maneuver on people or dogs is to try to force the air that is already in their lungs out of their throat and to dislodge the item they are choking on that way. So, when you're doing this, keep that in mind and make your movements short, sharp, and forceful.
Even if you manage to dislodge whatever is choking your dog using this method, you should still pay a visit to your vet to make sure there's no lasting damage that needs to be treated.
How to Prevent Dogs from Choking
Choking is always a risk for people and for dogs, but there are things you can do to make it less likely.
First, make sure that all of your dog's toys are too large for them to swallow. This is especially important for round toys like balls. A bigger ball is always safer!
If your dog tends to eat too quickly, you can try using a slow feeder that forces them to slow down or feed smaller kibbles that can't get lodged in their throats.
When you give your dog a snack or treats, avoid anything that is soft or sticky and might get stuck in their throats, and make sure it's small enough pieces that they can't choke on.
Try to avoid letting your dog eat when you're not around too. Choking can happen at any time, and it's always safest if you're around to supervise.