The Heimlich maneuver is the knowledge that you hope to never need but is crucial that you have at your disposal in a time-sensitive situation like when a dog is choking. The unfortunate reality is that these instances are not that uncommon, especially in dogs as they often tend to eat too quickly and over-excite easily.
In the event that your furry friend gets ahead of him or herself and can’t quite swallow a bone, food, or any other object he or she may have gotten their paws on, refer to these tips for a clear mind and quick instincts.
More steps to follow if your dog is choking:
- Confirm quickly if your dog is actually choking and not just reverse sneezing, an oftentimes benign reaction to allergies, pulling on the leash, or eating / drinking too quickly. In a choking situation, a dog will have trouble inhaling, make a coughing sound, and possibly paw at the mouth for an extended period of time.
- Once you confirm the dog is actually choking, lift the dog’s hind legs to mimic a wheelbarrow stance and allow gravity to dislodge the object. If this does not work, quickly sweep the dog’s tongue from side-to-side to see if you can remove it by hand.
- If you are still unable to retrieve the object, stand behind the dog, position your hands below the ribcage and above the waist, and apply pressure in an upward motion with a hand over your opposite fist.
- Repeat, repeat, and repeat until the object is finally expelled from the dog’s mouth. You will be able to tell for sure when it is gone when the dog’s breathing habits return to normal.
- In extreme circumstances, see a veterinarian after conducting the Heimlich maneuver for an evaluation.
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