Pet CPR: How to Save Your Pet’s Life in Emergencies

Emergencies involving pets can be terrifying, especially when they stop breathing or their heart stops beating. In such critical moments, knowing how to perform CPR on your pet could mean the difference between life and death. Whether due to choking, drowning, electric shock, or cardiac arrest, immediate action is crucial.

This step-by-step guide will help you understand how to properly perform CPR on dogs and cats, giving them the best chance of survival until veterinary help arrives.

Why Every Pet Owner Should Know CPR?

Many pet owners aren’t prepared for sudden emergencies. Seconds matter, and knowing basic CPR could save your pet’s life before professional help is available.

Common situations where pet CPR may be needed include:

✔️ Choking – Pets can inhale food, toys, or objects that obstruct their airways.

✔️ Drowning – If a pet falls into deep water, they may stop breathing.

✔️ Electrical shock – Biting wires or household hazards can stop heart function.

✔️ Heatstroke – Extreme heat can cause unconsciousness and respiratory failure.

✔️ Poisoning – Ingesting toxic substances can affect breathing and heart rate.

✔️ Severe trauma – Accidents such as car collisions can lead to cardiac arrest.

By learning pet CPR, you can take immediate action and increase your pet’s chances of survival before reaching a vet.

Step 1: Assess the Situation Quickly

Before starting CPR, determine if your pet needs resuscitation:

1️⃣ Check for consciousness:

👉 Call your pet’s name and gently shake or tap them.

👉 If unresponsive, move to the next step.

2️⃣ Look for breathing:

👉 Watch your pet’s chest for movement.

👉 Hold a small mirror near their nose; if it fogs up, your pet is still breathing.

3️⃣ Feel for a heartbeat:

👉 Place your hand on the left side of the chest, behind the elbow.

👉 If there’s no pulse, begin CPR immediately.

💡 Important: If your pet is unconscious but still breathing, do not perform chest compressions—focus on clearing the airway and rescue breathing.

Step 2: Clear the Airway

A blocked airway can prevent oxygen flow, making CPR ineffective.

✔️ Open your pet’s mouth and check for obstructions.

✔️ Look for food, toys, or foreign objects.

✔️ If visible, carefully remove it with your fingers or tweezers.

✔️ Be cautious—an unconscious pet may still reflexively bite if startled.

If the airway is clear but your pet is still not breathing, proceed to rescue breathing.

Step 3: Perform Rescue Breathing

When to use this step: Your pet isn’t breathing but has a heartbeat.

How to Give Rescue Breaths:

✔️ Extend the neck to straighten the airway.

✔️ Close the mouth gently to ensure air goes into the lungs.

✔️ For large dogs – Place your mouth over their nose and blow gently until you see the chest rise.

✔️ For small dogs & cats – Cover both the nose and mouth with your mouth and exhale gently.

✔️ Give one breath every 3-5 seconds.

🔄 Continue rescue breathing until your pet resumes breathing on their own or a vet takes over.

Step 4: Perform Chest Compressions

When to use this step: If your pet has no pulse and is not breathing, chest compressions help restore circulation.

💡 Positioning Matters: Different chest compression techniques apply based on your pet’s size.

How to Do Chest Compressions on Large Dogs (over 10 kg) ?

✔️ Place the heel of one hand over the widest part of the chest (not directly over the heart).

✔️ Place your other hand on top and interlock fingers.

✔️ Keep your elbows straight and compress the chest by 1/3 to 1/2 of its depth.

✔️ Perform 100–120 compressions per minute.

How to Do Chest Compressions on Small Dogs & Cats (under 10 kg) ?

✔️ Wrap one hand around the ribcage, with your thumb on one side and fingers on the other.

✔️ Compress the chest gently but firmly.

✔️ Perform 120 compressions per minute (faster than for large dogs).

🔄 Compression Depth Rule:

• Large dogs: ⅓ to ½ of chest depth.
• Small dogs & cats: Gently press to ⅓ of the chest depth.

Step 5: Follow the CPR Cycle (30 Compressions, 2 Breaths)

To mimic natural heart function, alternate chest compressions with rescue breaths.

1️⃣ Give 30 compressions at a steady rhythm.

2️⃣ Provide 2 rescue breaths.

3️⃣ Repeat the cycle until your pet breathes independently or professional help arrives.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a metronome app to maintain the correct compression rhythm (100-120 beats per minute).

Step 6: Get Veterinary Help Immediately

Even if your pet regains consciousness, they still need a vet check-up.

✔️ Continue CPR until your pet starts breathing on their own.

✔️ Transport them carefully to the nearest emergency vet.

✔️ Call ahead so the clinic is prepared for arrival.

When to Stop CPR?

Perform CPR continuously for 10–15 minutes or until:

✔️ Your pet starts breathing and has a pulse.

✔️ A vet takes over and provides advanced care.

✔️ You’ve been performing CPR for over 20 minutes with no response (unfortunately, survival chances are low after this time).

Key Takeaways: How to Save Your Pet’s Life?

✔️ Assess quickly – Check for breathing and a heartbeat before starting CPR.

✔️ Clear the airway – Remove any blockages.

✔️ Rescue breathing – Provide artificial respiration if there’s no breathing.

✔️ Chest compressions – Only perform if there’s no heartbeat.

✔️ Follow the CPR cycle – 30 compressions, 2 breaths.

✔️ Seek immediate vet care – Even if CPR revives your pet, they still need medical attention.

💡 Practice makes perfect: Consider taking a pet first aid course or watching vet-approved CPR training videos to be fully prepared.

Conclusion:

Pet CPR is a life-saving skill that every pet owner should know. Emergencies happen fast, and being able to act quickly can increase your pet’s chances of survival.

Don’t wait until an emergency strikes—learn and practice pet CPR today. Your pet’s life may one day depend on it. 🚑🐶🐱